Nixon White House Tapes ›Tape 40 › Conversation 040-103

Nixon phone call with Price on Economic policy and Presidential speechwriting

Wednesday, June 13, 1973 · 11:02 PM–11:03 PM ET · White House Telephone ·1 min

ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President); Price, Raymond K., Jr.Conversation040-103 onTape 40StartWednesday, June 13, 1973 at 11:02 PMEndWednesday, June 13, 1973 at 11:03 PMRecording deviceWhite House TelephoneSourceNixon Library record for 040-103 ↗

AI Summary

President Nixon called speechwriter Raymond K. Price, Jr. to commend him on the quality and tone of a recently televised address regarding the economy. The President emphasized that the primary objective was to project confidence and an upbeat perspective to the public during a time dominated by negative media coverage. Nixon credited Price's work for providing a necessary, positive contrast to the ongoing political climate surrounding Watergate.

Audio

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Transcript (AI-generated)

This transcript was generated automatically by AI (WhisperX) and has not been reviewed for accuracy. Names and numbers are often wrong; speakers are not identified. Do not cite it as authoritative — verify against the audio and the finding aid.

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Hello.

Mr. Price.

Yes, sir.

I thought you should know a number of people have talked about what a fine content the speech had, and so I just wanted you to know you did a hell of a job.

Well, thank you.

I must say I enjoyed watching it, and I thought it came off very well.

Well, we've gotten good reactions to it, you know.

The main thing was to do it in a positive, upbeat way.

They liked the beginning and the conclusion, which I think was very important.

you know, in addition to all the substance, because we had to give a feeling of confidence, you know, to the country.

Don't you think that was the important thing?

I think it was.

And I thought it came out very well and very strong.

And a good change from all the things that have been on TV the last couple of weeks.

Oh, yeah.

Well, at least we had our day.

Okay, Ray.

Thank you.

I've just been

NARA Description

On June 13, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon and Raymond K. Price, Jr. talked on the telephone from 11:02 pm to 11:03 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 040-103 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid

Conversation No. 40-103

Date: June 13, 1973
Time: 11:02 pm - 11:03 pm
Location: White House Telephone

The President talked with Raymond K. Price, Jr.

     President’s speech on the economy
           -Content
           -Price’s role
           -Price’s evaluation
                 -Television [TV]
           -Reaction
                                             -85-

                   NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

                                       (rev. March-2011)

           -Tone conveyed
                -Upbeat and positive
           -Response to Watergate

Also recorded on June 14, 1973

040-095 10:32 PM · 8 min — Charles W. Colson and President Richard M. Nixon talked on the telephone from 10:32 pm to 10:39 pm.
040-096 10:40 PM · 25 sec — White House operator and President Richard M. Nixon talked on the telephone at 10:40 pm.
040-097 10:43 PM · 6 min — Alexander M. Haig, Jr. and President Richard M. Nixon talked on the telephone from 10:43 pm to 10:49 pm.
040-098 10:49 PM · 11 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and White House operator talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 10:49 pm and 10:53 pm.
040-099 10:53 PM · 19 sec — White House operator and President Richard M. Nixon talked on the telephone at 10:53 pm.
040-100 10:54 PM · 11 sec — White House operator and President Richard M. Nixon talked on the telephone at 10:54 pm.
040-101 10:54 PM · 11 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and White House operator talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 10:54 pm and 11:00 pm.
040-102 11:00 PM · 16 sec — White House operator and President Richard M. Nixon talked on the telephone at 11:00 pm.

All 74 conversations from June 14, 1973 →

Cite this conversation

Conversation 040-103, June 14, 1973. White House Tapes, Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, National Archives. Audio and AI transcript via Easy Nixon, https://www.easynixon.org/tapes/040-103 (accessed September 18, 2026).