Nixon White House Tapes — Conversation 911-006
Date: Thursday, May 3, 1973 at 9:31 AM
Participants: Nixon, Richard M. (President); Kissinger, Henry A.
Recording device: Oval Office
Source: https://www.easynixon.org/tapes/911-006

This transcript was generated automatically by AI (WhisperX) and has not been reviewed for accuracy. Do not cite it as authoritative.

[0:11] Oh, yeah, Rogers, you know, the legal language will be in all years.
[0:21] Also to, uh, John Sennett, he said we'd like him.
[0:23] But I don't mean to go into complications.
[0:24] Oh, no, no, sir.
[0:25] I know it's a terribly difficult situation because the law apparently hasn't changed.
[0:30] You see, uh, I had the impression when I talked to him outside for a minute that he was going to try to do it.
[0:50] with you.
[0:52] There's only not that one other man that we could have, which means we'll have to think of another direction for our purposes.
[0:59] I think it would be Rush.
[1:00] I agree.
[1:01] I thought that too.
[1:02] So, uh, shall we?
[1:05] I will hear from him late today or in the morning.
[1:08] And if it's all right with you, let's go with Rush.
[1:11] Now, Rush would be a good member of the team.
[1:14] Oh, yeah.
[1:16] That's true.
[1:16] And, uh, that will keep you up for the other thing, which is
[1:28] I'd rather have Park, I'd rather have Paget, because you know Paget.
[1:32] Well, I know Rush, too.
[1:34] Paget wants to go through with us.
[1:36] You know that Paget really wants to go through with us.
[1:38] Rush there.
[1:40] That's why I think Paget.
[1:41] He's in the wings.
[1:42] You can't take Casey, Secretary of State.
[1:46] No.
[1:51] I guess we don't want Connolly.
[1:54] Well, there's a lot to be said.
[1:56] I mean, I couldn't work with Connolly, not because I don't like him.
[2:00] I think he'd be an outstanding president.
[2:03] But I'd be glad to serve with him if he were president.
[2:06] But I don't see that Connolly would tolerate my operation.
[2:10] Well, I think he would tolerate it.
[2:13] He would be tolerating the president.
[2:16] That's what it's basically.
[2:17] He's basically a number one man, I don't know.
[2:19] That's right.
[2:19] So the trouble with Connolly would be that if he came in, he would, he should, it should be clear, whatever he takes, he'll... Well, let me ask you this, Dr. Dickman and Henry.
[2:28] If you could be here, sort of be on top of the... You see, I went to the floor, trying to get my little rest.
[2:35] You must.
[2:36] And I don't have a... None of you.
[2:38] Would you, would you then, just between us, let's, let's, let's decide that we, I'll call you when we make the... Well, I'll be in Moscow.
[2:52] With Rush?
[2:54] Rush is fine.
[2:58] Rush would be good.
[3:01] I mean, he would be very good.
[3:05] Packet, you know, wants to pull about half our troops out of Europe, but we just have to overrule them.
[3:13] But that Packet would be honorable, decent.
[3:20] I have the impression that he was going to take it.
[3:52] I think he'll take it, Mr. President.
[3:53] I think he'll take it, but I don't...
[3:56] He says he doesn't even work at the stock company.
[3:59] Look, would you... Would you do this before he goes, or he's still around here?
[4:04] Son, look, the word at the stock company, you've got to do it.
[4:08] Don't be just desperate.
[4:09] Would you hit that word again before you leave?
[4:12] What time do you leave?
[4:13] Oh, none until midnight.
[4:14] I figured out that.
[4:15] Would you get a hold of Packer sometime today and say, Mr. President...
[4:19] He's not a man that puts arms up.
[4:21] They've got to do their job.
[4:23] Right.
[4:23] Put it on his heart and he can't do that.
[4:25] Absolutely.
[4:25] And if he doesn't do it, it'll go with rush.
[4:29] Right.
[4:29] Exactly.
[4:30] By the time you get back, we'll have all problems in the world set on fire.
[4:34] No, I... No, no, just...
[4:37] I'm coming back Thursday.
[4:39] Well, you're not going to do that.
[4:42] I'll do him the following week.
[4:44] I'll go over for three days, etc.
[4:45] I thought I should be able to...
[4:49] We have to hear from them.
[4:50] I don't think it will ever work out in time.
[4:54] Okay.
[4:55] All right, thanks.
[4:57] Good luck with your day.
[4:58] All right.