Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 14 › Conversation 014-065

Nixon phone call with Proxmire on National Economy and Green Bay Packers

Thursday, November 11, 1971 · 7:11 PM–7:13 PM ET · White House Telephone · 2 min

ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President); White House operator; Proxmire, WilliamConversation014-065 on Tape 14 (tape position 02:06:18–02:07:56)StartThursday, November 11, 1971 at 7:11 PMEndThursday, November 11, 1971 at 7:13 PMRecording deviceWhite House TelephoneSourceNixon Library record for 014-065 ↗

AI Summary

President Nixon initiated this phone call to Senator William Proxmire primarily to extend birthday greetings and express professional respect for the Senator’s political tenacity. Beyond the personal pleasantries, the two men briefly touched upon the complexity of the national economy and the importance of bipartisan cooperation on legislative efforts. The conversation concluded with an informal discussion regarding the performance of the Green Bay Packers and the potential of running back John Brockington.

Audio

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Transcript (AI-generated)

This transcript was generated automatically by AI (WhisperX) and has not been reviewed for accuracy. Names and numbers are often wrong; speakers are not identified. Do not cite it as authoritative — verify against the audio and the finding aid.

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hello senator proxmire sir mr president hello bill yes sir well i just want you to know that uh in checking my list here with uh mcgregor i found that many years ago but hugh scott was born but you were born just a few years later and i want to wish you your best and your happy birthday nice and to tell you too that well sometimes we haven't agreed that i've admired your political uh skill your tenacity and your honesty
And to wish you well, and I hope you have a good evening.
Well, you're so gracious.
I called you about just a few minutes ago.
Of course, I thanked him for the vote and so forth about his birthday.
And then Clark reminded me it was your birthday, too.
And I said, well, we'll call Bill.
Oh, wonderful.
How are you doing?
Just fine.
Just fine.
I want to do all I can to help.
Well, I know.
You've been on this economic stuff.
We know that it's very complicated, and there are decent men who have different views, but we will appreciate your help when you think you can.
Very good.
Okay.
It's just marvelous to call.
I can't thank you enough.
Right.
Are you still a Packer fan?
I sure am.
Well, they did.
They're doing a little better now.
They did better, I know.
They may make it.
Rockington is out of this world.
Isn't he, you know, he was from Ohio State.
Yeah.
And, I mean, Woody Hayes once told me that this fellow could make it, and I think he could.
If they had just a little bit better passing.
Like Larry Brown.
Yeah, they need the passing.
They need a fellow that can pass just a little better than Brockington could really go.
But as it is, he goes like hell.
Well, good to talk to you.
Fine, and have a good birthday.
Thanks a lot.

NARA Description

On November 11, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon, White House operator, and William Proxmire talked on the telephone from 7:11 pm to 7:13 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 014-065 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid

Conversation No. 14-65

Date: November 11, 1971
Time: 7:11 pm - 7:13 pm
Location: White House Telephone

The President talked with the White House operator.

     William Proxmire

The President talked with Proxmire.

     Proxmire's birthday
         -Clark MacGregor
         -Hugh Scott

     National economy

     Green Bay Packers
          -John Brockington
               -The President's conversation with Woody Hayes
               -Larry Brown

     Proxmire's birthday

Also recorded on November 12, 1971

  • 014-066 7:13 PM · 6 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 7:13 pm and 7:15 pm.
  • 014-067 7:13 PM · 14 sec — President Richard M. Nixon, White House operator, and H. R. ("Bob") Haldeman talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 7:13 pm and 7:15 pm.
  • 014-068 7:15 PM · 3 min — President Richard M. Nixon, White House operator, and H. R. ("Bob") Haldeman talked on the telephone from 7:15 pm to 7:19 pm.
  • 014-069 7:22 PM · 5 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at 7:22 pm.
  • 014-070 7:24 PM · 2 min — President Richard M. Nixon, White House operator, and Henry A. Kissinger talked on the telephone from 7:24 pm to 7:26 pm.
  • 014-071 7:30 PM · 6 min — President Richard M. Nixon, White House operator, and Charles G. ("Bebe") Rebozo talked on the telephone from 7:30 pm to 7:39 pm.
  • 014-072 7:40 PM · 4 min — President Richard M. Nixon and Julie Nixon Eisenhower talked on the telephone from 7:40 pm to 7:45 pm.
  • 014-073 7:46 PM · 43 sec — President Richard M. Nixon, White House operator, and Henry A. Kissinger talked on the telephone from 7:46 pm to 7:47 pm.

All 93 conversations from November 12, 1971 →

Cite this conversation

Conversation 014-065, November 12, 1971. White House Tapes, Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, National Archives. Audio and AI transcript via Easy Nixon, https://www.easynixon.org/tapes/014-065 (accessed October 12, 2026).