On September 29, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon, Charles W. Colson, H. R. ("Bob") Haldeman, Alexander P. Butterfield, and unknown person(s) met in the Oval Office of the White House from 12:11 pm to 2:03 pm. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 788-008 of the White House Tapes.
Nixon Library Finding AidConversation No. 788-8
(rev. Nov-03)
Date: September 29, 1972
Time: 12:11 pm - 2:03 pm
Location: Oval Office
The President met with Charles W. Colson.
Greetings
The President left and H.R. (“Bob”) Haldeman entered at 12:12 pm.
The President's schedule
The President entered at an unknown time before 12:15 pm.
Alexander P. Butterfield entered at 12:15 pm.
The President's schedule
-John B. Anderson
-Dinner
Butterfield left at 12:17 pm.
1972 Presidential election
-The President's election headquarters in Phoenix
-Arson
-Demonstrators
-George S. McGovern
-News summary
-Press usage
-Exploitation
-Anti-war demonstrators at Doral Hotel
-Richard Moore
-Signs
-International Telephone and Telegraph Company [ITT]
-Watergate
-Anti-Nixon rally
-Pictures
-Communist banners
-Century Plaza demonstration
-Mao Tse-tung
-George Putnam
(rev. Nov-03)
-Oliver F. (“Ollie”) Atkins
-Pictures
-McGovern
-Supporters
-Century Plaza demonstrators
-Burning of headquarters
-Senate Fair Campaign Practices Committee
-Complaint filing
-Robert J. Dole
-Congress
-Ronald L. Ziegler
-Clark MacGregor's statement
-Press coverage
-Surrogates
Speeches by campaign surrogates
-Quotations
-Colson
-John B. Connally
-Defense issue
-Spiro T. Agnew
-Peter H. Dominick
-William P. Rogers
-McGovern
-Defense cuts
-Melvin R. Laird
-The President's speech to American Legion
-Use
-Defense strength
-Navy
-Aircraft carriers
-Air Force
-B-1 bomber
-Army
*****************************************************************
[Previous PRMPA Personal Returnable (G) withdrawal reviewed under deed of gift 08/02/2019.
Segment cleared for release.]
[Personal Returnable]
[788-008-w001]
(rev. Nov-03)
[Duration: 14m 4s]
Campaign techniques
-Negative ads
-Effectiveness
-Charles W. Colson’s opinion
-George S. McGovern ad
-Charles W. Colson’s opinion
-White House policy
-Strategy
-Popular reaction
-Campaign
-Press
-Technique compared with content
-Analysis
-Patrick J. Buchanan
-Lyndon K. (“Mort”) Allin
-Public interest
-Importance
Thomas E. Dewey's campaign in 1948
-New York
-Standing
-Gallup poll
Public interest
-Average person's opinion
-Confidence
-Healthy economy
-Vietnam concerns
-View of politics
Catherine Mackin's reports on television
-Edith Efron's analysis of press coverage
-H. R. (“Bob”) Haldeman’s assessment
-Laredo
-Statue of Liberty
-Jews for Nixon
-Editorializing
National Broadcasting Company [NBC] coverage
-Julian Goodman
(rev. Nov-03)
-Tape
-Ken W. Clawson
-Herbert G. Klein
-Today Show
-Audience
-Evening news spot
-Catherine Mackin
-Job
-George S. McGovern
-Richard G. Valeriani
-Coverage of George S. McGovern campaign
-John W. Chancellor
-Chicago cab driver
-Effect on George S. McGovern campaign
-Media
-Facts
The President's previous trip to Texas
-Dell E. Webb
-Statement to the President
White House campaign strategy
-Positive remarks in the President's speeches
-Position attack
-Media interpretation
-Radio
-Positive image
-Congressional position
-Vetoes
-Taxes
-George S. McGovern’s campaign
-Image
-Next four years
-Positive outlook
White House press strategy
-Handling
-Comparison to 1968 and 1960 elections
-William R. Hearst, Jr.'s coverage
-1960 campaign
-John F. Kennedy
-Comparison of press image
(rev. Nov-03)
-Daniel L. Schorr [?]
-1968 campaign
-Coverage
-John W. Chancellor
-Catherine Mackin
-New York Times
-James E. Doyle
-Evening Star
-Press opposition
-Defense
-Network commentator
-Columnist
-Reporter
-Paul's [surname unknown] thesis
-Ronald L. Ziegler
-Post-election policy
-Attack the press
-Character of press relations
-National Broadcasting Company [NBC] coverage
-Kenneth W. Clawson
-Catherine Mackin
-White House response to misrepresentation
-Clark MacGregor
-Indignation
-Presentation
-Committee to Re-elect the President [CRP]
-Edmund S. Muskie [?]
-Slander charge
-Reuven Frank
*****************************************************************
Watergate
-White House reaction
*****************************************************************
[Previous PRMPA Personal Returnable (G) withdrawal reviewed under deed of gift 08/02/2019.
Segment cleared for release.]
[Personal Returnable]
(rev. Nov-03)
[788-008-w002]
[Duration: 14m 59s]
1972 election coverage
-National Broadcasting Company [NBC] coverage
-Catherine Mackin report
-George S. McGovern
-Charles W. Colson’s opinion
-The President's statements on welfare
-Clark MacGregor
-George S. McGovern policy
-Defense budget cuts
-San Francisco
-Welfare reform
-The President's statements
-Charles W. Colson’s analysis
-Compared to John W. Chancellor
-Republican National Convention
-George S. McGovern media strategy
-Frank F. Mankiewicz's comments on television networks
-Ploy
-Coverage
-Charles W. Colson’s theory
-Opposition
-Underdog image
-Counterproductive nature of television coverage
-White House media strategy
-Charles W. Colson's plan
-Radio wire
-R. Sargent Shriver's speech
-Democratic National Committee [DNC]
-Columbia Broadcasting System [CBS] news coverage
-Football comparison
-Front four
-John N. Mitchell
-Earl L. Butz
-John B. Connally
-Spiro T. Agnew
-The President
-“Tricky Dicky”
-Use of R. Sargent Shriver's speech by Republicans
(rev. Nov-03)
-Backfire
-Criticism of voice
-Cheerleader at Yale
-Frank Stanton
-Television coverage
-Ralph Yarborough
-Spanish-speaking individuals
-Football players
-Welfare debate
-Los Angeles Rams player
-Cleveland Browns
-Jack F. Kemp
-Background
-Woody Hayes
-Catherine Mackin report
-Correction of report
-Fighting press image
-Press coverage of the White House
-Steps to take
-Impact on 1972 election
-Catherine Mackin
-Correction
-Issues
-Defense
-Tax confiscation and welfare issue
-Redistribution of wealth
-Food prices
-George S. McGovern’s position
-Press tactics
-Debate
-Richard G. Kleindienst's remarks on crime statistics
-George S. McGovern
-Charles W. Colson’s opinion
-George S. McGovern’s campaign image
-Reception
-Doral Hotel anti-war demonstrators
-Columbus debate
-Archie Bunker
-Comments
-Perception as racist
-New York Times editorial
-Press
(rev. Nov-03)
-New York Times
-Reaction to column with a letter
-Establishmentarian
-Washington Post
-Eastern Establishment label
-New York Times
-Washington Post
-Boston Globe
-Milwaukee Journal
-St. Louis Post-Dispatch
-Louisville Courier Journal
-Opposition
-New York Times endorsement
-Thomas W. (“Teddy”) Gleason support
-Joseph P. Tonelli support
-Campaign coverage
-Issue excitement
-Controversy
-Effectiveness of Nixon Administration
-George S. McGovern support
-Opposition to the President
-Campaign–election outcome
-Themes
-Poll
-WCBS-TV New York
-Frank Stanton
-Standings
-No change
-Albert E. Sindlinger
-Popular attitudes
*****************************************************************
John D. Ehrlichman’s schedule
The President talked with an unknown person at an unknown time after 12:15 pm.
[Conversation No. 788-9A]
Ehrlichman's schedule
(rev. Nov-03)
[End of telephone conversation]
US-Soviet Union grain deal
-Ehrlichman
-Report
-Federal Bureau of Investigation [FBI] interviews
-Agriculture Department official in Japan
-Earl L. Butz
-Clarence D. Palmby
-Continental Grain Company employees
-Columbia Broadcasting System [CBS] interviews
-Watergate
-Ehrlichman
-L.[ouis] Patrick Gray, III
-FBI investigation
-Possible violations
-Possible firing
-Department of Agriculture staff
-Palmby
-Butz position
-Bryce N. Harlow’s view
-ITT
Watergate
-Indictments
ITT
-White House staff
-Disciplinary action
US-Soviet Union grain deal
-Administration action
-Personnel
-Butz
-The President’s view
-Administration personnel
-Action by Butz
-Impropriety
-Error in judgment
-Joseph E. Kraft
-Soviet Union crop failure
-Effect
(rev. Nov-03)
-Walter L. Cronkite, Jr.
-Subsidies
-Hurting tax payers
-Negotiations
-Soviet Union’s wheat crop
-Future trade with Soviets
-Effect
-Negotiations
-Farm prices
-Other crops
-Compared to car sales
1972 Presidential election
-US-Soviet Union grain deal
-Farm state effect
-Public feeling
-Soviet position
-Big business advantage
-Possible use as campaign issue
-McGovern
-Patrick J. Buchanan
-Exit visas for Soviet Jews
-Foreign policy
-Trade with Soviet Union
-Big business
-Farmers
-Buchanan’s assessment
-Effect on campaign
-Communists
-Possible gain in support
-Lack of media opposition
-Conservative media
-Liberal media
-Jews
-American opinion on foreign policy
-The President’s view
-Support for President
Exit visas for Soviet Jews
-Effect on Americans
-The President’s view
-Israeli policy
(rev. Nov-03)
-University of Southern California, Los Angeles [UCLA]
-Tuition rebate to medical students
US-Soviet Union grain deal
-McGovern
-Buchanan
-McGovern’s staff
-Media support
-Watergate
-US-Soviet Union grain deal
-CBS
-New York Times
-Washington Post
Watergate
-Washington Post
-Union at the Washington Post
-Colson’s view
-Katherine A. Graham
-Publishing contract disputes
-New York Herald Tribune
-Compared to New York Times
-Washington Times
-Publishing empire
-Television station owned by Washington Post [WTOP-Washington,
DC]
*****************************************************************
[Previous PRMPA Personal Returnable (G) withdrawal reviewed under deed of gift 08/02/2019.
Segment cleared for release.]
[Personal Returnable]
[788-008-w004]
[Duration: 11m 32s]
1972 campaign
-Republican Party organization
-Command center
-Richard G. Kleindienst
-Republican Party
-New York
(rev. Nov-03)
-California
-Los Angeles
-San Francisco
-Fundraising
-Issue to press
-Benefit
-Fundraisers
-Committee to Re-elect the President [CRP]
-Republican Party
-Republican Party leadership
-George S. McGovern’s schedule
-Baltimore
-William D. Shaffer
-Streets of Baltimore
-Rallies
-Maryland support
-Segurt, New Jersey potential appearance
-September 29, 1972
-Edward M. (“Ted”) Kennedy
-The President's previous visit as Vice Presidential candidate
-Atlantic City
-September 30, 1972
-Industrial union conference
-Bronx, New York
-September 30, 1972
-Testimonial dinner
-Borough President
-Newark, New Jersey
-October 2, 1972
-Military Park
-Eastern Shore
-House
-Worth
-Washington, DC
-R. Sargent Shriver
-Financial status
-Trust funds
-Wife and kids
-Impact as George S. McGovern running mate
-Charles W. Colson’s opinion
-H. R. (“Bob”) Haldeman’s opinion
-John B. Connally’s opinion
(rev. Nov-03)
-Previous conversation with Charles W. Colson
-Campaign role
-Schedule
-Washington, DC
-Minneapolis
-October 1, 1972
-Rock Island
-South Chicago
-Chicago
-Columbus
-Philadelphia
-Denver
-Fresno
-Same places
-Chicago
-Dallas
-Effect
-Edward M. (“Ted”) Kennedy's appearance
-George S. McGovern campaign
-Media coverage
-Political
-Effect
-H. R. (“Bob”) Haldeman’s opinion
-1960 campaign
-Vice President’s schedule
-John F. Kennedy
-Schedule requests
-1968 campaign
-Schedule pressure
-George S. McGovern campaign
-Sitting senator
-Requests from friends
-Democratic Party organization
-Richard J. Daley
-Republican Party organization
-Jack D. Maltester
-Santa Ana, California
-Local Democratic organization
-Richard J. Daley
-Youngstown, Ohio
*****************************************************************
(rev. Nov-03)
The President's schedule
-Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty [SALT] interim agreement
-Congressional signing
-Andrei A. Gromyko
-Monday meeting
-Tuesday signing ceremony
*****************************************************************
[Previous PRMPA Personal Returnable (G) withdrawal reviewed under deed of gift 08/02/2019.
Segment cleared for release.]
[Personal Returnable]
[788-008-w005]
[Duration: 43m 22s]
Campaign schedule
-Jewish event
-October 1, 1972
-Thelma C. (Ryan) (“Pat”) Nixon’s schedule
John B. Connally's schedule
-Monday October 2, 1972 taping
-Wednesday October 4, 1972 speech
-Health
-Upcoming telephone call with H. R. (“Bob”) Haldeman
The President's schedule
-Possible trip to Atlanta on Thursday October 5, 1972
-Decision
-Charles W. Colson’s view
-Clark MacGregor’s view
-Bryce N. Harlow’s view
-H. R. (“Bob”) Haldeman assessment
-People-oriented events
-Strategic Arms Limitation Talks [SALT] signing ceremony
-Andrei A. Gromyko
-Columbus Day
-New York dinners
-Pulaski Day
(rev. Nov-03)
-Importance of Polish
1972 election
-Italians
-Polish
-Pulaski Day
-Buffalo
-October 15, 1972
-Chicago
-Polish Congress
-September 30, 1972
-Detroit
-Spiro T. Agnew
-Leonard Woodcock
-Rank and file
-Ethnic vote
-Press coverage
-New York dinner
-Timing
-September 30, 1972
-Statler–Hilton
-Waldorf Astoria
-Advance
-Police
George S. McGovern–R. Sargent Shriver schedule
-Minneapolis
-Kansas City
-St. Louis
-Washington, DC
The President's schedule
-Polish Congress
-Possible trip to Atlanta
-Motorcade
-Southern Chairmen, Committee to Re-elect the President [CRP]
-Democrats for Nixon
-Radio talk
-Long-range
-Michigan
-Ohio
-Pennsylvania
(rev. Nov-03)
-New England
-California
-Vote
-Motorcade
-Suburbs
-Philadelphia
-Motorcade
The President left at an unknown time after 12:17 p.m.
Poll results
-October 1, 1972 release
-Results
-Note to editors
-Gap closing between George S. McGovern and the President
-Breakdown
The President entered at an unknown time before 2:03 p.m.
White House schedule
The President's schedule
-Campaigning
-Strategic Arms Limitation Talks [SALT]
-Andrei A. Gromyko
-Congress
-Spending ceiling
-Strategy in final four weeks
-Charles W. Colson’s view
-H. R. (“Bob”) Haldeman’s view
-New England
-Motorcade
-New York
-Nassau County
-Westchester County
-Philadelphia
-Pennsylvania
-Frank L. Rizzo
-Pittsburgh
-Peter F. Flaherty
-Philadelphia Democrats
-Chicago
(rev. Nov-03)
-Motorcade
-Michigan
-Ohio–Illinois
-Motorcade
-Nebraska
-Motorcade
-Technique
-Press coverage
-Organization of motorcade
-Focus on crowd
-Efficient image
-Demonstrators
-Analysis
-Lyndon K. (“Mort”) Allin
-Patrick J. Buchanan
-John F. Kennedy
Campaign organization
-Importance
-Foreign policy
-Viet Cong
-Exposure
-Press coverage
-1970 campaign
-Communications
-Technology of campaigns
-Time impression
-Aircraft
-Arizona
-New Mexico
-Utah
-California
-Mormon Tabernacle
-Decision on Atlanta visit
Campaign exposure
-Motorcade
-Laredo
-Airport arrivals
-Support
-Motorcades
-The President’s opinion
(rev. Nov-03)
Communications
-Limiting
-New England
-Massachusetts
-Chances of winning
-Philadelphia visit
-Massachusetts
-Hastings Keith
-Robert F. Drinan's district
-Jewish
-Affiliation with George S. McGovern
-Liberal
-Paul W. Cronin
-F. Bradford Morse
-Lowell and Lawrence
-George S. McGovern popularity
-Michael J. Harrington
-Atlanta trip
-Timing
-Pennsylvania
-Maine
-New York
-Upstate
-Long Island
-Nassau County
-Westchester County
-Exposure
-Chicago
-Midwest
-South
-Los Angeles
-Ohio
-Heartland section of the US
-Motorcade
-John B. Connally's recommendation
-Key to winning
-Michigan
-Robert P. Griffin
-New York
-Illinois
-Richard B. Ogilvie in Ohio
(rev. Nov-03)
-Los Angeles
-Chicago motorcade
-Suburbs
-Ohio
-Southern Illinois
-Motorcade strategy
-Denver possibility
-New York
-Northeast campaign chairman
-Midwest and Mountain states
-Spiro T. Agnew
-Regional coverage
-Atlanta October 12, 1972
-New York October 2, 1972
-Chicago October 26, 1972
-Ohio October 21, 1972
-Los Angeles November 4, 1972
-Mountain states
-Senate campaigns
-Overnight after New York
-Motorcade
-Atlanta, New York, Chicago, Los Angeles
-San Clemente
-Timing
-Denver
-Importance
-Motorcade possibility
-Kevin P. Phillips's book
-The South and Mountain states
-William Jennings Bryan
-South and Mountain states
-Northeast
-Franklin D. Roosevelt
-South and Mountain states
-Northeast
-The President
-South and Mountain states
-Northeast
-Mountain and Plains states
-1960 campaign
-1968 campaign
(rev. Nov-03)
Reviewing the President's schedule in California
-Ronald L. Ziegler
-Television [?]
-November 2-3, 1972
-Sunday November 5, 1972
-Church
-Drop by election headquarters
-Monday November 6, 1972
-Television appearance
-Tuesday November 7, 1972
-Vote
-Return to Washington, DC
Deciding on visits
-Unimportant stops
-Michigan, Boston, Philadelphia, Minneapolis, Milwaukee, Seattle
-Spiro T. Agnew's campaign role
-New York
Speech exposure
-Radio possibilities
-Atlanta
-Southern compared to national
-Motorcade
-White House
-Night speeches
-Morning papers
-Timing
-Political image
-Possible visit to New York
-Polish event
-Timing
-Columbus Day weekend
-R. Sargent Shriver's schedule
-Political messages
-Potential public reaction
First Family’s schedule
Spiro T. Agnew's campaign schedule
-Ability
(rev. Nov-03)
Edward R. F. Cox’s schedule
-Television appearance
-Al Capp’s opinion
-H. R. (“Bob”) Haldeman’s appraisal
-Compared to R. Sargent Shriver
The President's schedule
-Press reaction
-Reaction to polling
-H. R. (“Bob”) Haldeman’s argument
Gallup poll
-October 1, 1972
George S. McGovern’s image
-Political
-Patrick J. Buchanan analysis of effectiveness of television speeches
The President's previous talk with Dan Rather on television
-George S. McGovern’s speech
-Public reaction
-Competing with broadcast of Love Story movie
-American Broadcasting Company [ABC]
-Columbia Broadcasting System [CBS] schedule strategy
-Television networks
-Love Story
-American Broadcasting Company [ABC]
-Editing of profanity for television presentation
-Ali McGraw’s language
-Nudity
Campaign strategy
-Atlanta trip
-Radio speech
-Benefits
-Impact
-Compared to television
-Costs
-Preparation
*****************************************************************
(rev. Nov-03)
The President, Haldeman and Colson left at 2:03 pm.This transcript was generated automatically by AI and has not been reviewed for accuracy. Do not cite this transcript as authoritative. Consult the Finding Aid above for verified information.