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Conversation 706-004

TapeTape 706StartTuesday, April 11, 1972 at 2:57 PMEndTuesday, April 11, 1972 at 3:03 PMTape start time03:09:42Tape end time03:14:58ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Butterfield, Alexander P.;  Ehrlichman, John D.Recording deviceOval Office
AI Summary

President Nixon met with Alexander Butterfield and John Ehrlichman to coordinate an upcoming briefing for prominent, hawkish Democrats including John Stennis, George Mahon, and F. Edward Hebert. Nixon emphasized that the session, led by Henry Kissinger, should avoid a strictly partisan tone to ensure effective engagement with these key legislators. The participants also briefly addressed scheduling concerns and administrative memoranda before concluding the meeting.

Henry KissingerDemocratic PartyNational Security BriefingsJohn StennisExecutive Scheduling
AudioNARA Description

On April 11, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon, Alexander P. Butterfield, and John D. Ehrlichman met in the Oval Office of the White House from 2:57 pm to 3:03 pm. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 706-004 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 706-4

Date: April 11, 1972
Time: 2:57 pm - 3:03 pm
Location: Oval Office

The President met with Alexander P. Butterfield; the recording began at an unknown time while
the meeting was in progress.

     The President's schedule
          -Meeting with Clark MacGregor, Henry A. Kissinger and Democrats
               -Briefing
                      -Day
               -John C. Stennis
               -George H. Mahon
               -F. Edward Hebert
               -Hawkish Democrats
                      -Kissinger's briefing
          -Memoranda to be read

John D. Ehrlichman entered at 3:02 pm.

           -Meeting with Ehrlichman and Peter G. Peterson
               -Kenneth R. Cole, Jr.'s attendance
           -Memorandum to be read

Butterfield and Ehrlichman left at 3:03 pm.
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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.

What is the thing that I am present of and I have no choice?
Boy Scouts.
Boy Scouts, well, but that's one thing here.
That's all of them.
Do they come in and do their annual or?
What's the other thing that I, I don't know.
But we don't do anything with them, I don't think.
Well, tell me.
We've had a spot.
No, that was one of the agents that came for this one.
Because he would only be the start of the situation.
Getting a view of, with McGregor and Kissinger, a view of the Democratic long-term system.
They just want to come in and move free.
So, any time.
Tomorrow, probably.
But the main point is, I want to be sure it's not just a partisan briefing.
They should not be this brief.
But they'll help.
They'll get a few.
I mean people like Stennis.
Stennis, George Mahon, Eddie Hebert.
That's what I mean.
Stennis, Hebert.
Get about six or seven good, strong, hawkish Democrats in just to sit down and get briefed by Ditch.
By Ditch.
Nobody else.
All right.
All right.
I asked Ken Cole to say this because I don't have the service to do it.
I'll give you a double buzz.
I've got to go.
I'm just sitting there.
I'm freaking out.
I'm cold.
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