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Conversation 908-008

TapeTape 908StartTuesday, May 1, 1973 at 10:14 AMEndTuesday, May 1, 1973 at 10:26 AMParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Ziegler, Ronald L.Recording deviceOval Office
AI Summary

President Nixon and Press Secretary Ronald Ziegler discussed public and media reactions to the Watergate scandal following the President's recent address. Nixon expressed confidence in his core base of support, citing positive wire service reports and favorable sentiment among middle-class voters. The two emphasized the need to maintain a composed, forward-looking strategy rather than fixating on the ongoing political crisis.

WatergatePublic opinionPress coveragePresidential speechCrisis management
AudioNARA Description

On May 1, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon and Ronald L. Ziegler met in the Oval Office of the White House from 10:14 am to 10:26 am. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 908-008 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 908-008

Date: May 1, 1973
Time: 10:14 am - 10:26 am
Location: Oval Office

The President met with Ronald L. Ziegler. The recording began at an unknown time while the
conversation was in progress.

       Watergate
             -Staff reaction
                     -Ziegler
                                     -President’s meeting with William E. Timmons and
                       William J. Baroody, Jr.
                      -Role of uncertainty
               -President’s speech
                      -Reaction
                              -Wire services
                      -Public support
                      -Raymond J. Price, Jr.

       President’s meeting with Congressional leaders
              -William E. Brock, III

       Support for President

       Henry A. Kissinger’s schedule

Ziegler left at 10:26 am.
Transcript (AI-Generated)

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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.

Well, I think I'm certain they were sitting on 16th and around 15th.
Well, god damn it, they won't step up for this.
This is the only way they'll ever do it.
This is what it's all about.
That's right.
I looked at the wires.
Look at them.
There's 750 wires, four of 250 against.
I ain't gonna have to figure everybody against.
Plus the fact that I turned on White's MTV last night and just people lose sight of the fact.
There are guys out there sitting, you know, having their lunch.
Middle-class insurance agents supporting the truck drivers, these guys.
There's a tone of always support for the president, and it's here.
The way to deal with this matter, though, as you suggest, is not to panic, but also not to get all tied up in knots about assessing it in obsession.
It's assess it, move on, change the direction.
Right.
He did a good job, didn't he?
He did.
Right, right, right.
Well, I sure believe that that damn leadership meeting made.
I'll never forget that one.
That was a good one.
You should maybe try it.
What you said before was great, but this is modest.
I didn't.
You wouldn't want to use it.
All right.
But also, ladies and gentlemen, regarding the piece of the world, we had a pretty good year, and I'm a cousin.
I really want to spark you in my cousin's brain right now.
I think the important thing is that there are a lot of people around who pull up to the election.
Thank you.
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