On February 8, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and Earl B. Ruth talked on the telephone from 2:54 pm to 2:56 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 020-066 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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.
I haven't got anything important except to say Timmons was telling me you had a birthday yesterday and I didn't want to miss my old Tar Heel friend.
I didn't realize you were such an old fella.
You know, if you keep going, you're going to catch up with me before too long.
I'm only three years ahead of you.
Well, thank you.
Did you have a good day?
Thank you very much.
Did you have a good party, I hope?
Yeah, the office was very kind to me.
We had a big time.
Great, great.
Well, we appreciate your good support.
Good, thank you.
Mr. President, I'm sure you didn't call me for this, but with regard to you...
deficit.
I've always voted the other way, but I have told Jerry that if you needed me, I'd be in the well.
If I vote against it, it's because you don't need me, but if you need me, I'll be there.
I understand.
You know how I feel.
I hate deficits as much as you do, but the main thing we're trying to do, Earl, is, of course, North Carolina is fortunately doing better on the employment side than some other states, but the main thing, we're just trying to get that damn unemployment down, and this is one thing that the experts tell us, so
But believe me, you're going to see a balanced budget while I'm in this office.
Well, I appreciate it.
It might be a nice call, but you can count on me.
Okay.
Thanks, Earl.
Thank you very much.