Nixon White House Tapes — Conversation 045-221
Date: Friday, May 11, 1973 at 8:43 AM
Participants: Nixon, Richard M. (President); Bellmon, Henry L.
Recording device: White House Telephone
Source: https://www.easynixon.org/tapes/045-221

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 Do not cite it as authoritative.

[0:00] Hello?
[0:02] Hello?
[0:02] Hello?
[0:04] Hello?
[0:06] Henry, I didn't want you to be down in your home state without knowing that, and I know this is supposed to be a deep secret, but Bill Brock said he had the, no, no, George Bush told me that he had the right to tell me that
[0:22] that thought you might run, and I just want you to say that's the best news I've had all week.
[0:26] Yeah, well, I'm going to announce it this morning.
[0:27] I'm down here.
[0:28] Well, I want you to know I think it's just great, Henry, and I want to tell you this.
[0:32] If you want me, I'll come in and make speech for you.
[0:35] Well, that's fantastic.
[0:36] If it'll help.
[0:37] Well, it'll help.
[0:38] I'll bet your life.
[0:39] And don't let all this crap about Watergate get you down.
[0:42] We've got lots of friends in Oklahoma.
[0:44] I know.
[0:44] That's not a big thing down here.
[0:46] Well, you're welcome to tell the press, if it will fit in, that President called, that he was delighted that you're running.
[0:53] You're one of the strong right arms, has been through the years.
[0:57] We need you in the Senate, and I'm enthusiastic about your candidacy.
[1:01] Okay, I'm delighted.
[1:02] All right.
[1:03] Give him hell.
[1:04] Okay.
[1:05] Okay.
[1:05] Keep your chin up.