Nixon White House Tapes — Conversation 046-153
Date: Tuesday, May 22, 1973 at 4:40 PM
Participants: Nixon, Richard M. (President); Timmons, William E.
Recording device: White House Telephone
Source: https://www.easynixon.org/tapes/046-153

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 Do not cite it as authoritative.

[0:01] Bill.
[0:01] Yes, sir.
[0:02] It occurred to me that in view of these dinners and this vote and everything tonight that we're in a very tight situation and I don't want it to be that way, why don't you make a quick check around to see if these fellows would be willing to come to breakfast at 8.30.
[0:15] We have a leadership meeting in the morning at 8.30 with the four Republican leaders.
[0:24] Same thing, though.
[0:24] You see what I mean?
[0:26] Mm-hmm.
[0:27] The four Republican leaders, but what is the point of that?
[0:31] Wait a minute.
[0:31] Tomorrow morning?
[0:32] Yes, sir.
[0:35] Butts is going to talk about the farm bill and... Well, let me just say this.
[0:40] I have a feeling that we're frankly trying to do this thing tonight.
[0:45] Okay.
[0:45] Is with them going to black tie dinner, three of them.
[0:48] It's not a good idea.
[0:49] Tell them that if they'd like to come to dinner and held out, we'll talk about this and let's forget the goddamn farm bill.
[0:55] Or have that, I mean, putting on a meeting.
[0:58] You see, it's the same group, you see.
[1:02] For us, for me to go out to meet them at six o'clock tonight and then have a leadership in the meeting in the morning with what's discussed in the forum bill, I don't think makes a hell of a lot of sense.
[1:12] Um, no, they would prefer to meet with you privately on Watergate rather than the full leadership meeting because they don't... No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no.
[1:21] I don't want the full leadership in the morning.
[1:23] I'd just let it go.
[1:24] I'd, uh...
[1:28] I see your problem there.
[1:29] In other words, this is the full leadership.
[1:31] You've already asked them.
[1:32] Yes, sir, we have.
[1:33] And, uh, Roger Morton's going to talk a little bit and Earl Butts.
[1:37] And that's kind of scheduled and laid on.
[1:39] All right, fine, fine, let it go.
[1:42] And they wanted to come down tonight briefly and express their support for you and talk a little bit about the strategy.
[1:49] Of course, that was really kind of laid on or at least it was requested before the statement today.
[1:53] I still think it would be helpful if you could put up with them for a half hour tonight.
[1:58] I don't mind putting up with them at all.
[1:59] I'm just trying to work it out.
[2:02] So there is a Republican leadership meeting tomorrow, and also a Republican meeting tomorrow night, too?
[2:07] Yes, sir.
[2:08] That's with Les' whip group.
[2:09] It's kind of a stroke session to show support for all his whips.
[2:15] There's about 18 regional whips that do the work.
[2:18] They probably have to be done in Blair House because the White House is tied up.
[2:21] Right.
[2:21] What time can these fellows get here, then?
[2:25] Do you have any idea?
[2:26] 5-6.
[2:28] You think they can?
[2:29] Yes, sir.
[2:30] The Senate vote should be at 5 o'clock and be over at 5.30, and I think they can get on here at 6 o'clock.
[2:34] Now, Scott Griffin and Ford said that they'd be willing to cancel these other events.
[2:38] No, no, no.
[2:39] I don't want... No, no, God, no.
[2:41] I don't think so either.
[2:41] Canceling would be the worst thing I could think of.
[2:43] I know.
[2:44] No.
[2:44] No.
[2:45] They were most appreciative and thought it was a great idea.
[2:48] Tell them that we'll do it later, but tell them that we will make this meeting very brief.
[2:51] Tonight?
[2:52] 30 minutes.
[2:53] Tell them it's a 30-minute meeting tonight just for themselves so that they don't expect to sit down and have a long hassle.
[2:58] Right.
[2:59] See what I mean?
[2:59] They have dinners, right?
[3:00] That's right.
[3:01] Tell them to be sure you call each and every one and say, some of them, you know, and always blame it on the other.
[3:07] He's got a dinner.
[3:08] He has a dinner.
[3:10] So we'll meet at 6, and we'll break up promptly at 6.30.
[3:13] Okay.
[3:13] And then we'll meet in the morning.
[3:15] Okay.
[3:15] Now, yeah, as a side issue, Eastland, I think, is going to keep his committee in tonight, trying to get Richardson out.
[3:20] And Scott's on the Judiciary Committee, so as it turns out, he may have to cancel anyway his black-tie dinner back up to the Hill, if that's something important.
[3:28] Now, do you want Fred Bazzard and Harlow there tonight?
[3:31] No.
[3:32] No?
[3:33] I would have...
[3:39] Well, it might not be a bad idea.
[3:42] What do you think?
[3:43] Have Harlow maybe let Bryce because the other things are complicated.
[3:48] But I think it would be good if Haig could come.
[3:50] Right.
[3:50] Haig, Harlow will be there at 6 o'clock in your EOB office.
[3:55] Because we've got everything else all tied up tonight.
[3:57] Right.
[3:58] In 30 minutes, and then we'll go forward with the regular leadership in the morning.
[4:01] Tell them that's it, and that we'll have a rain check on the Sequoia.
[4:06] It'll have to be after I get back from Iceland.
[4:08] Right.
[4:08] All right, fine.
[4:09] Thank you.