Nixon White House Tapes — Conversation 042-097
Date: Wednesday, May 5, 1971 at 1:16 PM
Participants: Nixon, Richard M. (President); Gullander, Werner P.
Recording device: White House Telephone
Source: https://www.easynixon.org/tapes/042-097

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 Do not cite it as authoritative.

[0:00] Yeah.
[0:01] I located Mr. Gulger in New York City, sir.
[0:03] He's on the line.
[0:04] Yeah.
[0:05] Hello.
[0:07] This is Cullinan, Mr. President.
[0:08] Yes.
[0:09] I just wanted to tell you that all of our boys here have been most grateful for your help on our welfare reform and some of our other initiatives.
[0:18] And I know that it may cause you some problems with some of your members, but as you've noted, I've been hitting hard on the work requirements, which I think you should mention.
[0:26] Yes, we have.
[0:27] And because, after all, the purpose of our program is to get people off of welfare and not on.
[0:32] And I think if they understand that, they'll get the message.
[0:34] Mr. President, I'm happy to tell you that the flak I used to get, I no longer get.
[0:38] Good, good.
[0:39] I think we've done a good job of really making them understand why we're... Well, and as you know, we've strengthened it a great deal, the work requirement, because I just not... You probably know that when I spoke to the governors, I said that welfare workers, people on welfare would have to take any kind of work, including so-called menial work, and that, I think, gets home.
[0:57] I mean, I believe that if a person is able to work, he ought to do anything to stay off of welfare.
[1:02] Right.
[1:03] Well, anyway, we appreciate it, and we hope that everything goes well.
[1:09] We'll continue to support it.
[1:10] I tell you, I drove past San Clemente last week a couple times.
[1:13] Oh, did you?
[1:13] I see your flag flying.
[1:14] Yes, sir.
[1:15] Okay.
[1:16] Fine, fine, Gulley.
[1:17] Bye.