On January 3, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and Jody Smith talked on the telephone from 11:20 am to 11:21 am. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 018-005 of the White House Tapes.
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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.
Mr. President, Mayor Jody Smith for you.
Hello.
There you are.
Hello.
Hello.
Mr. Mayor?
Yes.
I just want to congratulate you on the day of your inauguration.
Thank you.
And as the youngest mayor in the country, winning on a very exciting campaign, I'm
i'm sure that you're going to do a fine job i mean your town isn't one of the largest but it has all the problems i'm sure that other towns have and at least this is the beginning i just wish you the very best well i'm trying and
I want you to know that I support what you've been trying to do for the country.
Well, I appreciate it.
I understand that you work part-time as a bus driver, right?
Yes, and I referee basketball and baseball.
Did you play basketball and baseball, too?
No, I'm too clumsy.
Yeah, well, so am I. I never made the team.
And you worked in your father's garage.
Yes.
Well, I worked in a service station, my father's service station, so we have something in common.
Yes.
And it won't do you a bit of harm.
It'll teach you what people are thinking.
Right.
Well, I just wish you the very best, and when you take your oath, you can tell them that I sent my congratulations, will you?
And I hope that I will be able to see you if you are a candidate again next year at the Republican National Convention.
I'm going to try to be a delegate from the state of Iowa.
I see.
I see.
Well, I'll sure look forward to it.
Well, you don't have to be a delegate to come.
You come anyway.
San Diego's a nice place at that time of year.
Well, I'd like to be a delegate.
I see.
Right.
Well, good luck to you.
Thank you.