Nixon White House Tapes — Conversation 010-049
Date: Tuesday, October 5, 1971 at 5:29 PM
Participants: Nixon, Richard M. (President); Poff, Richard H.
Recording device: White House Telephone
Source: https://www.easynixon.org/tapes/010-049

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 Do not cite it as authoritative.

[0:00] Well, I just wanted you to know that the most disappointed man on your, which I think was statesmanlike move, was me.
[0:16] And it's just a hell of a shame, as Jerry Ford put it very, very well in his statement.
[0:24] President, you don't know how much your call means to me.
[0:27] I had been so anxious from the very beginning that you would feel that I had somehow run out on you.
[0:32] No, no, no, no, no.
[0:33] I knew what you did.
[0:34] And as a matter of fact, my own feeling is that we couldn't...
[0:41] I think you're right.
[0:42] I think what they're going to do, it's unfair, it's wrong, and the rest, they're going to try to make you, you know, sort of a whipping boy for this whole thing.
[0:53] And...
[0:54] It would have been bad for the court and all the way around, probably.
[0:58] I think we probably could have won it, but maybe, maybe.
[1:02] But on the other hand, they might have delayed for months, which would have been bad.
[1:07] Mr. President, if we had won it, do you agree with me that it would have been harmful to you and done largely good that you have done?
[1:16] in connection with the China debt and economic thing.
[1:19] It would have been a stigma on my name.
[1:22] It would have been difficult to live with.
[1:23] But the thing is that I think the latter point is, too, I think at both points you're probably correct.
[1:29] The thing is they would have made you look like the worst son of a bitch that ever came down the pike.
[1:35] And they'd go, you know.
[1:37] So under the circumstances, let me tell you, we need you in the house anyway.
[1:41] And, you know.
[2:51] Look, you did.
[2:53] I know you did.
[2:54] I know you did.
[2:55] And as I said, I regretted it because I just, frankly, you know, I just like to fight sometimes.
[3:00] But I think under the circumstances, we've done the right thing.
[3:03] But also under the circumstances, by God, I'm going to get two men on that court.
[3:08] Well, not two.
[3:09] Shall we say two individuals?
[3:12] But let me tell you, they talk about balance and the rest.
[3:15] They're going to be two people like Berger and Blackmun.
[3:18] And I think that's only fair.
[3:19] Well, God bless you.
[3:21] The majority of the American people will be behind you.
[3:24] Well, they're going to do it.
[3:25] And I hope you tell all the fellows that we were backing you to the hill.
[3:30] Well, I have done so.
[3:32] I called in the Southern, I mean, Republican, I'm Democrat, you know, and I told them last Friday, I said, by God, I'm sticking right with you.
[3:40] I've gone to the page, Mr. President, to say that it was my decision that from all the information I had, the President was prepared to go all the way with me, that he might even be disappointed that I have done what I have done.
[3:54] So I hope you understand that.
[3:57] Okay.
[3:58] Well, good to talk to you.
[3:59] We'll see you down at a leadership meeting one of these days.
[4:02] Well, look, I was in Florida when this happened, or I would have called you earlier, but I was down there, and you saw my statement.
[4:10] I just thought it was just as well that we, I told the boys I'd give you a call when I got back.
[4:15] Okay.
[4:17] Keep up your spirit.
[4:18] Give my best to your wife.
[4:24] Okay.