Nixon White House Tapes — Conversation 044-145
Date: Wednesday, April 11, 1973 at 12:35 PM
Participants: Nixon, Richard M. (President); Ford, Gerald R.
Recording device: White House Telephone
Source: https://www.easynixon.org/tapes/044-145

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 Do not cite it as authoritative.

[0:00] Yeah.
[0:02] Hi, Jerry.
[0:02] There wasn't a thing to tell you about that, except, as you know, to tell you about your failing to get a majority on that veto.
[0:11] I mean, you fell short.
[0:12] Well, our guys did a hell of a job.
[0:14] They sure did.
[0:16] You know we're having a party.
[0:17] Tomorrow night, 5.30, and I'm invited.
[0:20] And if you don't mind, if you can stand it, I'm going to have 35 senators here, too.
[0:24] You mind?
[0:24] Oh, sure, yeah.
[0:27] We'll put up with them.
[0:28] 36 of them.
[0:28] 36.
[0:29] Well, I think it's a great idea.
[0:32] Well, I thought we ought to get—you see, remember, we had a group down in those that supported Vietnam.
[0:36] A lot of this will be the same.
[0:37] And we won't do it.
[0:40] We can't do it every time, but I think they'll all know that they've enlisted in the battle for the duration.
[0:44] That's what I want them to get their feeling on, on this darn thing.
[0:47] We got 28 Democrats, surprises like Eddie Boland and Bob Gimo, but...
[0:53] This is damn good.
[0:55] And also you've got 163 Republicans.
[0:58] That's right.
[0:58] And we had about four more.
[1:01] Bob Price, for example, was with us, but then when we had a good margin, we told him to go ahead.
[1:07] Sure, I understand.
[1:08] A couple of others.
[1:10] Our guys did a great job, and they're proud of it.
[1:12] That's the main thing.
[1:13] You know, the best thing, Jerry, is to get in a good fight and win one, and then fellows are proud.
[1:18] That's right.
[1:19] And they're even proud when they lose, you know.
[1:20] That's the point.
[1:21] But the main thing is they've got to fight.
[1:23] Right.
[1:24] I'll make one comment now.
[1:26] Sure.
[1:26] The Senate did a good job last week, and I think we...
[1:30] The House did this week.
[1:31] Now...
[1:32] I'm getting some overtures from the Democrats.
[1:37] Well, let's compromise on some of these other things.
[1:40] Now, I'm told, and I've seen it over in HEW on this Older Americans Act, that Kurzman is just adamant against any compromise.
[1:53] I think we can get at least three-quarters of what we want on the older Americans.
[2:01] And I tried to call John Ehrlichman, and I said, John, let's not just say— Have you talked to him?
[2:08] I had to go out of town before he called back.
[2:11] I'll talk to him.
[2:12] If we could get three-quarters of what we want on these things, then I think we've not only done the right thing politically, but we've also substantively achieved a hell of a lot.
[2:25] And I just hope that John and the others will be a little...
[2:29] Right.
[2:30] It's hard to put your folks to the sword every time.
[2:34] That's right.
[2:34] I mean, you can do it a couple of times, but they shouldn't do it with the administration in concrete on everything.
[2:46] Yeah, I get your point.
[2:48] Okay.
[2:49] I'll talk to John to talk to, well, it isn't, yeah, I see.
[2:52] But we'll try to see what can be done.
[2:55] I don't know myself.
[2:56] I haven't looked at it yet.
[2:57] No, of course you wouldn't.
[3:00] But I will see on the details.
[3:02] But Al Quee says we can get the older Americans at least three-quarters of what the difference is.
[3:10] And if that's the case, I think we win and everything.
[3:16] Incidentally, John will be at this thing tomorrow night.
[3:18] Why don't you buttonhole him there?
[3:20] I'll let him know what you want to talk about.
[3:22] You buttonhole him, will you?
[3:22] All right, I will, Mr. President.
[3:24] Good, good.
[3:25] All right.
[3:25] Thank you very much for calling, and I appreciate it.
[3:27] Why don't you go home to Grand Rapids?
[3:29] Good God, you couldn't lose, you know, if you shot your... Oh, I wouldn't have fought like hell on a panel on welfare against...
[3:36] five others who were all the bleeding hearts, and then I went and made a speech to the law enforcement officers at 9.30 last night.
[3:47] All right, all right.
[3:48] Well, that's why you always win.
[3:50] You never forget the home folks.
[3:52] Okay.
[3:52] Thanks, Mr. President.