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Conversation 831-016

TapeTape 831StartWednesday, January 3, 1973 at 2:59 PMEndWednesday, January 3, 1973 at 3:03 PMParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  O'Neill, Thomas P. ("Tip"), Jr.;  Ford, Gerald R.Recording deviceOval Office
AI Summary

President Nixon met with House Majority Leader Tip O'Neill and House Minority Leader Gerald Ford to foster rapport and discuss upcoming legislative agenda items. The President informed the congressional leaders of his decision to prioritize his inaugural address over a traditional State of the Union address to avoid redundant messaging. Nixon extended an invitation to both men for a follow-up breakfast meeting to further coordinate on the administration's legislative priorities.

State of the UnionLegislative relationsInaugurationCongressional leadershipPolitical strategy
AudioNARA Description

On January 3, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon, Thomas P. ("Tip") O'Neill, Jr., and Gerald R. Ford met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 2:59 pm and 3:03 pm. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 831-016 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 831-16

Date: January 3, 1973
Time: Unknown between 2:59 pm and 3:03 pm
Location: Oval Office

The President talked with Thomas P. (“Tip”) O'Neill, Jr. and Gerald R. Ford.

[See Conversation No. 35-75]
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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.

Yes.
Well, I'm glad to hear from you.
Just congratulations.
Yes, I can hear you.
Well, I can hear you a little something.
Can you hear me?
Now you're on the line, yeah.
Yeah.
Are you still the best poker player out there?
I remember, you know, 20 years ago, we had that little game.
I just, I always said, don't get in that O'Neill of it when it's high, low, seven cards, spit in the ocean, huh?
I'll tell you.
Listen, no, no, no.
I could play in the Navy when it was five cards, doing five card draw.
I got in with these sharp shooters in my house and sent it.
Wow.
It was those wild games that got me, those wild games.
Yeah.
Great.
And we're glad to have you in session.
And I would hope very much that you and Jerry can join us for breakfast in the morning.
It's a perfect word for Friday morning.
You're going to be talking on Thursday.
Thursdays, Thursdays, Thursdays, Thursdays, Thursdays, Thursdays, Thursdays, Thursdays, Thursdays, Thursdays, Thursdays, Thursdays, Thursdays,
Yeah, sure.
Yeah, here's a
I'm going to follow the practice, Jerry, of the first year.
You see, when you have an inaugural, your State of the Union duplicates it, basically.
And I, in checking through history, I decided to make the inaugural instead.
And then I'll write the State of the Union.
And then I'll come to the Congress on another occasion, on a special subject, you know what I mean, when the occasion commences.
But I think it really doubles up too much to have a state of the art, and then an art of whatever, particularly when you're getting that television audience twice.
But we'll give you good message.
I've got a whole flock of my work on call for about two months.
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