389–23

Conversation No. 389-23

Date: November 4, 1972
Time: 12:40 pm - 1:15 pm
Location: Executive Office Building

The President met with Charles W. Colson.


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[Begin segment reviewed under deed of gift]

1972 campaign
-Ronald L. Ziegler
-Vice President Spiro T. Agnew’s statement
-Revision of draft
-Importance
-News coverage
-New York Times
-Washington Post
-George S. McGovern
-Front page coverage
-Photographs
-Los Angeles Times
-Television [TV] appearance
-Conversation with H. R. (“Bob”) Haldeman
-Physical appearance
-McGovern
-Public sympathy
-Credibility
-Problems
-Statements
-Mistakes
-Permissiveness
-Supporters
-Radicalism
-The President’s lead
-Massachusetts
-Abortion issue
-John F. Becker
 -39-

NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

Tape Subject Log
(rev. Feb.-08)

Conversation No. 389-23 (cont’d)

-The President’s rallies
-Rhode Island
-Italian-Americans
-Irish-Americans
-Hardhats
-Congressional candidates
-John H. Chafee
-Dewey F. Bartlett
-Oklahoma
-Rhode Island
-New Mexico
-North Carolina
-Maine
-Michigan
-Polls
-Democrats
-Claiborne Pell
-Edward M. (“Ted”) Kennedy
-The President’s margin
-Issues
-Henry A. Kissinger
-Democrats
-Massachusetts
-Texas
-States
-Herbert G. Klein
-Support for the President
-The President’s supporters
-Response to McGovern’s criticisms
-Hawaii
-The President’s chances
-Areas of weakness
-California
-Oregon
-Washington, DC
-Polls
-Louis P. Harris
-The President’s lead
-Figures
-Chicago
 -40-

NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

Tape Subject Log
(rev. Feb.-08)

Conversation No. 389-23 (cont’d)

-The President’s trip

[End segment reviewed under deed of gift]
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Vietnam negotiations
-Settlement agreement
-North Vietnamese posture
-1972 election
-McGovern
-The President’s posture
-Firmness
-1972 election
-Military action
-Wire service story
-Antiaircraft fire
-North and South Vietnam
-Radio report
-W[illiam] Averell Harriman’s view
-Henry A. Kissinger line
-October 26, 1972 press conference
-William P. Rogers
-Pre- and post-October 8, 1972 positions of North Vietnam
-The President’s May 8, 1972 proposals
-Cease-fire
-Prisoners of War [POWs]
-Coalition government


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[Begin segment reviewed under deed of gift]

1972 campaign
-Polls
-Vietnam agreement
-Commercials
-Hardhat constituency
-Busing
-McGovern statement
 -41-

NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

Tape Subject Log
(rev. Feb.-08)

Conversation No. 389-23 (cont’d)

-Flyers
-Distribution
-Organization
-George C. Wallace
-Supporters
-Conversation with Colson
-Credibility as a candidate
-Albert E. Sindlinger poll
-Undecided vote
-Portion for McGovern
-Harris poll
-Accuracy
-Polls
-McGovern
-House of Representatives
-Candidates
-Robert C. (“Bob”) Wilson
-Quality
-Herbert F. DeSimone
-Blacks
-Donald F. Rodgers
-Los Angeles Times
-California
-Congress
-Antilabor legislation
-Senate
-Democratic Party
-Edward M. (“Ted”) Kennedy
-H. R. (“Bob”) Haldeman
-Schedule
-Miami
-Association of American Medical Colleges
-Ohio
-Maine
-Connecticut
-New Jersey
-Outlook
-New York
-Outlook
-New Jersey
 -42-

NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

Tape Subject Log
(rev. Feb.-08)

Conversation No. 389-23 (cont’d)

-Connecticut
-Support for the President
-Frank L. Rizzo
-Influence in Philadelphia
-Western Union
-McGovern
-Publicity
-Problems
-Enthusiasm
-News media
-New York Times
-Columbia Broadcasting System [CBS]
-Walter L. Cronkite, Jr.
-Howard K. Smith
-Networks
-Dan Rather
-James J. Kilpatrick, Jr.
-News summary item
-Watergate references
-Reasons
-Use by enemies
-The President’s politics
-Liberalism
-Right wing
-Left wing
-Conservatism
-William F. Buckley, Jr. [?]
-Principles
-Issues
-Vietnam
-Welfare
-Amnesty
-Busing
-Amnesty issue
-North Carolina
-Advantages for the President
-Blue collar workers

Ziegler entered at 1:09 pm.
 -43-

NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

Tape Subject Log
(rev. Feb.-08)

Conversation No. 389-23 (cont’d)

-Agnew
-Call to Ziegler
-Statement
-Revisions
-Harassment
-Hard work
-1956 election
-Vice President
-Statement
-CBS

Ziegler left at 1:12 pm.

-McGovern
-Organized labor
-Opposition
-Polls

[End segment reviewed under deed of gift]
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Watergate
-Public relations [PR]
-Staff complaints
-Republican National Committee [RNC]
-Chairmanship
-Timing
-1972 election
-Press relations
-Donald H. Segretti
-Dwight L. Chapin
-Advance work
-Flashiness
-Mercedes
-Exceeding authority
-Attack on Democratic campaign and Washington Post
-Lack of coverup
-Attack on Washington Post
-Partisanship
 -44-

NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

Tape Subject Log
(rev. Feb.-08)

Conversation No. 389-23 (cont’d)

-McGovern
-Burglars
-Capture and punishment
-Administration investigation of Watergate
-Attempt to influence electorate
-Public interest
-Duration
-John S. (“Jack”) Knight
-Joe [last name unknown]
-Gabriel Hauge
-Charles H. Percy
-James J. Kilpatrick
-Welfare issue
-Other issues
-Republicans
-Necessity for dramatic action

Colson left at 1:15 pm.
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