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Conversation 454-003

TapeTape 454StartFriday, February 19, 1971 at 4:59 PMEndFriday, February 19, 1971 at 5:08 PMTape start time00:07:10Tape end time00:15:22ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Haldeman, H. R. ("Bob");  Ehrlichman, John D.;  Bull, Stephen B.Recording deviceOval Office
AI Summary

President Nixon met with H. R. Haldeman, John Ehrlichman, and Stephen Bull to discuss the administration's frustration with media coverage of inflation statistics and to coordinate the upcoming Quadriad meeting. Nixon expressed concern over inconsistent reporting between outlets regarding economic data and emphasized the importance of ensuring John Connally's dominant role in his economic team. The discussion also briefly touched upon a recent attack involving a Soviet diplomat's vehicle.

InflationMedia coverageJohn B. ConnallyEconomic policyQuadriadSoviet relations
AudioNARA Description

On February 19, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon, H. R. ("Bob") Haldeman, John D. Ehrlichman, and Stephen B. Bull met in the Oval Office of the White House from 4:59 pm to 5:08 pm. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 454-003 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 454-3

Date: February 19, 1971
Time: 4:59 pm - 5:08 pm
Location: Oval Office

The President met with H. R. (“Bob”) Haldeman

     Inflation rate
           -Press stories
                 -Washington Star
                       -Administration policies

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BEGIN WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 3
[Personal Returnable]
[Duration: 8s ]

END WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 3

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                -Accuracy
                     -Haldeman’s figures
                     -New York Times
                     -National Broadcasting Company [NBC]
                     -Columbia Broadcasting System [CBS]
                -Washington Post
                -CBS
                -Charles W. Colson

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BEGIN WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 1
[Personal Returnable]
[Duration: 2m 42s ]

[The President talked with John D. Ehrlichman at an unknown time between 4:59
                                                                     Conv.    pm454-3
                                                                            No.  and 5:08
                                                                                      (cont.)
pm]

[Conversation No. 454-3A]

[End of telephone conversation]

END WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 1

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Stephen B. Bull entered at an unknown time after 4:59 pm

     The President’s schedule
          -John B. Connally
          -Forthcoming meeting

Bull left at an unknown time before 5:08 pm

     Quadriad
         -Connally
              -Role
         -Arthur F. Burns

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BEGIN WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 2
[Personal Returnable]
[Duration: 2m 8s ]

END WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 2

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     Attack on car of Soviet diplomat
          -News story

     President’s schedule
          -Quadriad
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.

In December and November, the seasonally adjusted and the unadjusted were the same.
There was no difference.
The adjusting didn't change.
They screwed us on.
The adjusted we have .5, and the unadjusted was .6.
And the New York Times headline used the .5, but the Starman Post book used the .6.
The NBC used the .6.
CBS recorded one of the watches that he raised, and CBS called the grave setback the .6.
I mean, I mean, I'm supposed to let that in.
I just really feel the other way.
And then call.
I'm going to race up to the back here.
What the hell happened to you here, Kevin?
Yeah, we'll be ready as soon as he comes.
Okay, he's gonna be on the right.
Yeah, once you get it right there, it's over.
I'm listening to Craig, Secretary of Trade, he has got to be my man.
You see, Parker can't be my man.
See, Connolly ranks all the others.
He gets close to saying he's the ranking member there.
But even assuming that the other is ranking with the White House, that Parker is not the President's man.
That's not the way out.
That's not the way out.
That's not the way out.
Huge and blowing up and the pressure's on all the others.
Oh, no.
A Soviet diplomat's car was set afire on Silver Spring and made the set fire to two other Soviet cars.
Are you ready to go out here?
No, no, no.
I'm going to go out.
I'm going to go out.
I'm going to go out.
That's not the quadrant I love.
That's the trigger.
Oh, yeah, sorry.
I mentioned that you had to hang all of them into the wires and have to get them out.
I said, sorry.
I already got a good one.
I'll just try to at least do four gears.
Yeah, great.
I've got some.
That's a good...
I can't hold on any longer.
How are you?
At what rate that dog's mother and father change?
Is that so?
It's terrible, right?
Let's go back in the middle.
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