Nixon White House Tapes — Conversation 043-011
Date: Wednesday, January 31, 1973 at 4:52 PM
Participants: Connally, John B.; White House operator; Keaton, Richard; Connally, John B.; White House operator; Keaton, Richard
Recording device: White House Telephone
Source: https://www.easynixon.org/tapes/043-011

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 Do not cite it as authoritative.

[0:02] uh this john connolly you've got a call on mr bull's line for mr richard keaton can you give it to me um
[0:34] Hello.
[0:37] Governor?
[0:37] Yes, Richard.
[0:39] Corporal just called me.
[0:41] Yeah.
[0:41] And said that he cannot give any assurance at this point.
[0:45] There's just so much in the dark and this is just such a short range, short time to look at it.
[0:52] I asked him, are there any facts, any statistics, or any assurances, oral or written, that we could possibly make
[0:59] that would change his mind.
[1:00] He said, no.
[1:02] I said, are you not satisfied about the ownerships or control?
[1:05] He said, no.
[1:07] I take your word, I'm satisfied.
[1:09] It's just that we just cannot give any assurances and make any representations.
[1:15] I pushed him pretty hard.
[1:16] I pushed him as hard as I felt I could push him without...
[1:19] He insulted the man.
[1:21] He also said that he meant so far as the second part of your request, there's just no way I can do anything about the FTC.
[1:30] I asked him, I said, well, did you talk to your people, whoever it is at the FTC, to try to work out liaison?
[1:37] It was semi-vague, but he said, yes, kind of.
[1:40] He said, basically, their position's about like ours, but I just can't control them.
[1:45] I then went back and I said, well, look, let's leave out the FTC.
[1:48] What about the first part of the equation?
[1:51] Again, is there anything we can do?
[1:53] He said, no.
[1:55] And so, basically, he just doesn't want to say anything about a deal involving these companies.
[2:01] That's just all there is to it.
[2:03] I mean, they're just...
[2:05] No way.
[2:06] You know, I mean, I ducked and dodged every way I knew, including a pretty tough approach at one point when I felt there wasn't anything else.
[2:16] Well, you stay there.
[2:18] Just stay there.
[2:18] Don't plan to go home, and I'll get out of here as soon as I can.
[2:21] The question is, should I call Charlie and tell him?
[2:23] Yes, call and tell him, and tell him I'm coming over there, and we'll call him from there.
[2:28] All right.
[2:30] I'll call him.
[2:31] I've got a little information, but it doesn't change what they've just said to you.
[2:35] I think they're spooky about it.
[2:37] Yeah.
[2:37] And they don't have enough information.
[2:40] When asked what would it take, you know, I got a little hot then because he said, you know, I'll work all night.
[2:47] What do you need to know?
[2:49] He finds that, well, it's not just that, just we don't have enough time.
[2:52] I mean, I think they'd be spooky whatever we do.
[2:54] I think that's right.
[2:56] And I don't think they want to make an agreement.
[2:58] I think it's very clear they don't.
[3:00] Yeah.
[3:01] So we've got to make up our minds whether or not we want to go with that.
[3:04] I'll tell Charlie you'll be back around 6 o'clock.
[3:06] Yep, yep, yep.
[3:07] Okay.
[3:08] All right.
[3:08] Bye.