Nixon White House Tapes — Conversation 039-096
Date: Tuesday, June 5, 1973 at 5:27 PM
Participants: White House operator; Nixon, Richard M. (President); Timmons, William E.; Buzhardt, J. Fred, Jr.
Recording device: White House Telephone
Source: https://www.easynixon.org/tapes/039-096

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 Do not cite it as authoritative.

[0:00] Mr. President, I just talked to Jerry Ford.
[0:04] He said that he was very pleased with that meeting this morning.
[0:08] And he told me that in his talk afterwards with you that maybe that the boys were sort of being critical of your operation.
[0:16] What I was doing, trying to do, Bill, was to sort of make it appear that you and all the other guys, my golly, we're, you know, we're rooting around there.
[0:22] I know that every paper that comes in, heck, there wasn't a thing they mentioned you haven't done.
[0:27] No.
[0:28] Not one thing?
[0:28] Yeah, I thought it was a waste of your time, frankly.
[0:30] Well, no, I'm talking about that kind of stuff.
[0:32] But, you know, Bill, that's what they want to talk about.
[0:34] I know.
[0:35] And so don't you worry about a waste of my time, but I just wanted you to be sure that you and Carl Lucas and the rest of it
[0:40] I was perfectly aware of the fact, you know, I had to be the devil's advocate just a little bit.
[0:44] Yeah, I know.
[0:45] I really thought it went pretty good.
[0:47] Well, they were expecting a lot worse, frankly.
[0:49] Of course, we'd get it every day, you know.
[0:50] I know.
[0:52] It's a shame.
[0:52] I just didn't want them to do that with you.
[0:55] Well, don't you worry about that.
[0:57] Tell the boys I appreciate what they're doing, okay?
[0:59] Great.
[0:59] Come in, Fred.
[1:00] Thank you.