Nixon White House Tapes — Conversation 007-142
Date: Sunday, August 15, 1971 at 11:07 PM
Participants: Nixon, Richard M. (President); White House operator; Romney, George W.
Recording device: White House Telephone
Source: https://www.easynixon.org/tapes/007-142

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 Do not cite it as authoritative.

[0:02] I'm having trouble reaching Mr. President and I have a moment.
[0:07] Hello.
[0:15] Hello George.
[0:24] Mr. President.
[0:25] How are you?
[0:26] Well I feel better.
[0:27] Okay.
[0:29] I think that's a very bold program.
[0:37] Of course, the aspects of it are incomplete, but you set up the work on those aspects.
[0:48] Well, we're going to have a cabinet meeting tomorrow.
[0:52] We shook them up a little.
[0:52] Well, I think it's an immediate action.
[0:53] When I say incomplete, I'm talking about the
[0:55] Well, I think it's a very basically sound approach.
[1:14] Incidentally, rents will be controlled under this, too, you know.
[1:21] I see.
[1:21] Well, that's going to be tough.
[1:22] That's going to be tough.
[1:22] But dividends, rents, dividends is voluntary.
[1:24] Rents is compulsory, yeah.
[1:25] Well, I congratulate you because it's a bold program and a very comprehensive one.
[1:30] Well, in the morning, raise any questions that you like because you want to get at them and start fighting for it.
[1:43] Of course, it also sets up the procedure to deal with the international situation.
[1:46] Oh, boy, we've got them where we need to find the driver's seat again.
[1:48] Right.
[1:48] Well, I feel better because I think on this basis we may be able to hold those in the state.
[1:51] That would be very helpful.
[1:52] Thank God.
[1:53] I hope so.
[1:53] Interest rates, incidentally, were highly problematic, we'll say.
[1:58] As you know, the problem there, if we froze them, then people would not make fun of other reasons not to make loans.
[2:05] But the delicate problem is that we've got a huge bankers.
[2:09] And ours is more than that, too.
[2:10] Well, I feel better, and I certainly would congratulate you on that.
[2:25] My opinion is the country's going to respond very safely.
[2:28] Yeah, that's the main thing.
[2:29] We're going to depend on the people.
[2:30] If they want to support us, they'll make it work.
[2:31] If they aren't for us, then it won't work.
[2:33] And you laid out the responsibility of the people themselves and the competitive appearance and all of that, and I thought that was right on the button.
[2:37] And as far as the job pictures, I mean, the recommendations you've made there on the simulation,
[2:40] If they don't, nothing else will.
[2:42] That's right.
[2:43] Okay, George.
[2:44] Thank you.
[2:45] Thanks a lot.
[2:46] Bye.