Nixon White House Tapes — Conversation 016-070
Date: Thursday, December 9, 1971 at 11:53 AM
Participants: Nixon, Richard M. (President); Scheel, Walter
Recording device: White House Telephone
Source: https://www.easynixon.org/tapes/016-070
National Archives Catalog: https://catalog.archives.gov/id/417191389 (NAID 417191389)

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 Do not cite it as authoritative.

[0:00] Hello?
[0:01] Mr. President, I have Mrs. Willis-Smith Sr. for you, and when I checked back with Congressman Jones, he said, would you please tell the President that young Willis-Smith was piloting his own private plane when he hit the Eastern Airlines plane last Saturday.
[0:15] Fine.
[0:15] There you are.
[0:18] Hello?
[0:19] Hello, Mr. President.
[0:21] Well, Ms. Smith, I just wanted you to know that Pat and I have been thinking a lot about you after that tragic accident on Saturday.
[0:30] And we felt so close to you, of course, to Willis, and your son.
[0:36] who was so wonderful for us in 1968 in that campaign.
[0:43] Well, I thank you, Mr. President.
[0:46] I was so proud that he took the stand he did.
[0:48] That's the way I feel.
[0:50] It took a lot of courage.
[0:51] The last time I saw him, as a matter of fact, was down at the Billy Graham Fair in Charlotte, and we were talking a little about reminiscing about the campaign, and he was looking so fine.
[1:01] Well, it's hard to understand how some of these things happen, but...
[1:04] We just want you to know that we think so much of you, and we thought so much of him.
[1:10] Oh, I appreciate it so much.
[1:12] This is a great event in my life.
[1:14] And the president called me.
[1:16] Well, let me tell you, the Smiths are our kind of folks.
[1:20] That's true, and you all are.
[1:23] I love you all, and I just think Pat is just the finest.
[1:28] Well, I didn't learn this until I got back from, I was in Florida, and I didn't learn it, and I just couldn't believe it.
[1:34] I said, my goodness.
[1:35] Well, it's unbelievable, and it's so tragic.
[1:37] Just one of those freak accidents, yeah.
[1:40] Yes, it's tragic.
[1:41] I can't think of anything else.
[1:45] I'm trying so hard.
[1:46] All right.
[1:46] But you'll see it through.
[1:47] You're a strong woman.
[1:49] You will.
[1:49] I hope I am.
[1:50] And that's what he'd want you to do, and that's what Willis would want you to do.
[1:53] I'm sure they would.
[1:54] They're all strong people.
[1:56] They are.
[2:10] Bye.