President Nixon uses his recording system to dictate a letter of appreciation to journalist Ronald Kessler regarding a recent Washington Post article about the First Family. The President reflects on the piece, which featured personal anecdotes from Clifford and Willard Moore about their time with the Nixons. Nixon emphasizes the warmth of these memories and directs that the message be formally transcribed for the reporter.
On December 20, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 2:25 pm and 2:35 pm. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 827-014 of the White House Tapes.
Nixon Library Finding AidConversation No. 827-14
Date: December 20, 1972
Time: Unknown between 2:25 pm and 2:35 pm
Location: Oval Office
The President dictated a letter to Ronald Kessler.
Press relations
-Washington Post article, “A Glimpse of the Private Nixon – by Longtime Sitter”
-The President’s appreciation
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[Begin segment reviewed under deed of gift]
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NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM
(rev. July-08)
Conversation No. 827-14 (cont’d)
[Pause]
[End segment reviewed under deed of gift]
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The President played his recorder.
Test signals
The President replayed a portion of his dictation.
The President resumed dictation.
Press relations
-Kessler’s article
-Interview with Clifford Moore
-Moore
-Personal qualities
The President replayed a portion of his dictation.
The President resumed dictation.
Mrs. Moore
-Mrs. Nixon, Julie Nixon Eisenhower, Tricia Nixon Cox, the President
The President replayed a portion of his dictation.
The President resumed dictation.
Press relations
-Kessler’s article
-Interview with Mrs. Moore
-Mrs. Moore
-The First Family’s memories
[This letter continues as Conversation No. 827-16]
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NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM
(rev. July-08)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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.