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Conversation 020-066

TapeTape 20StartTuesday, February 8, 1972 at 2:54 PMEndTuesday, February 8, 1972 at 2:56 PMTape start time02:11:54Tape end time02:13:10ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Ruth, Earl B.Recording deviceWhite House Telephone
AI Summary

President Nixon telephoned Representative Earl B. Ruth to extend birthday greetings and express appreciation for his legislative support. The discussion briefly transitioned to the political sensitivity surrounding federal deficit spending and employment goals. Ruth assured the President that he would provide his vote on the budget if necessary, despite his personal opposition to deficit spending.

Birthday greetingsFederal deficitBudget policyEmploymentLegislative support
AudioNARA Description

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.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 20-66

Date: February 8, 1972
Time: 2:54 pm - 2:56 pm
Location: White House Telephone

The President talked with Earl B. Ruth.

[See Conversation No. 320-24]

     Birthday greetings
          -William E. Timmons
          -Celebration
          -Appreciation of support

     Vote on deficit
          -Gerald R. Ford
          -North Carolina employment outlook
          -Employment problem
          -Balanced budget
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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.
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