President Nixon met with Representative Don Young, Jack Coghill, and Richard Cook to discuss Alaska politics, the 1972 election, and legislative priorities. They reviewed campaign strategies—specifically the effective use of anti-bureaucracy messaging and counter-attacks against political opponents—and discussed the critical need for the Alaska pipeline. Nixon emphasized the importance of maintaining a strong rapport between the White House and the Alaska congressional delegation to advance administration goals.
On March 15, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon, Manolo Sanchez, Donald E. Young, Richard K. Cook, and Jack Coghill met in the Oval Office of the White House from 3:56 pm to 4:17 pm. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 880-015 of the White House Tapes.
Nixon Library Finding AidConversation No. 880-15 (cont’d)
Conversation No. 880-15
Date: March 15, 1973
Time: 3:56 pm-4:17 pm
Location: Oval Office
The President met with Donald E. Young, Jack Coghill and Richard K. Cook. The White House
photographer was present at the beginning of the meeting.
Introductions
Middle East
-Staying out
-Comparison with Alaska
Photographs
-Congratulations
-Arrangements
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[Begin segment reviewed under deed of gift]
1972 election
-Development of issues
-Young’s campaign
-Bush country
-Percent of vote
[End segment reviewed under deed of gift]
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Manolo Sanchez entered at an unknown time after 3:56 pm.
Refreshment
Sanchez left at an unknown time before 4:17 pm.
1972 election issues
-Young's opponent
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Conversation No. 880-15 (cont’d)
-Emil Notti
-Opposition to President
-Young's campaign
-Revenue-sharing
-Bureaucrats
-Community action program
-Expenditures
-Lyndon B. Johnson
-Aid to poor
-Administrative costs
-“Trickle-down theory”
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[Begin segment reviewed under deed of gift]
Young’s campaign
-Personal appearances
-Rotary Clubs, Lyons Clubs, Chambers of Commerce
-Radio talks
-Television [TV] coverage
-TV companies
-Statewide network
-Anchorage
-Edward M. (“Ted”) Kennedy’s advertisements
-President’s budget cuts
-Walter J. Hickel’s advertisements
-Counterattacks
-Notti
-Gun control
-Peggy Begich’s reaction
-Thomas Begich
-Michael Gravel, Kennedy
-Gravel
-Re-election
-Defeat
Alaska politics
-Ted Stevens
-Appeal
-Gravel
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Conversation No. 880-15 (cont’d)
-Appeal
-Opinion of Senate colleagues
-Governor’s office
-Young’s campaign
-Funding
-Contributions
-Republican national Committee [RNC]
-Ed Terrell [?], Mary Ellen Miller, Chuck Bailey
-Young’s control
-Robert C. (“Bob”) Wilson
-Anchorage
-Coghill’s role
-Victory
-Publicity
-George H. W. Bush
-Issues
-Special nomination
-Governor’s race
-President’s appearance
-Spiro T. Agnew’s visit
-Value
-Fundraising
-Anchorage
-Committee to Re-elect the President
-State Republican party
-Democrats
-Splits
-Notti
-Primary
-Senate, lieutenant governor
-Divisions among democrats
-George S. McGovern
-Henry M. (‘Scoop”) Jackson
-Visit to Alaska
[End segment reviewed under deed of gift]
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-Native land claims settlement
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NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM
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Conversation No. 880-15 (cont’d)
-Use of power by Alaska natives
-Pipeline
-Wealth
-Pipeline
-Necessity for country
-Courts
-Support in Alaska
-Opposition
-Federal employees
-Support for environmental groups
-Sierra Club
-1972 election
-Environmental issues
-Danger of extremism
-West
-World War II
-Environment
-Strip mines for coal
-Joe Usabelli [?]
-Seeds and revitalization
-Initiative by private enterprise
-Court rulings
-Pipeline
-Domestic Council
-Environmentalists in administration
-Administration's legislation
-Delays
-Court situation
-Pressure from Cook
-Young’s congressional committee assignments
-Gerald R. Ford
-Interior
-Merchant marine
-Fisheries
-Subcommittees
-Armed services
-Congressional delegation
-Rapport with White House
-President's support for pipeline
-Announcement to constituents
-Importance of fight compared with achievement
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Conversation No. 880-15 (cont’d)
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[Begin segment reviewed under deed of gift]
Young’s meeting with George H. W. Bush
-Young’s schedule
-Pan American Airlines
-Polar route
-Fairbanks
-New York
-Republican programs
1972 election
-Young’s victory
-Democrats
Washington Post
1974 congressional election
-Illinois
-Chicago
-Jesse L. Jackson
-George W. Collins
-Lindy Boggs
-Solid Democratic districts
-Age of Congress members
-Republicans
-Craig Hosmer
-Heart attack
-Bob Price
-Texas
-Retirements
-Republicans
-Compared with Democrats
-Age
-Candidacies
-Young’s victory
-Nick Begich
-Marginal seats
[End segment reviewed under deed of gift]
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Conversation No. 880-15 (cont’d)
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Youngs's children
Travel allowance
-Congress
-Young’s residence
-Arctic Circle
Photographs
-Copies
Young, Coghill and Cook left at 4:17 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.