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Conversation 022-020

TapeTape 22StartFriday, March 24, 1972 at 2:22 PMEndFriday, March 24, 1972 at 2:23 PMTape start time00:53:45Tape end time00:54:53ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Gurney, Edward J.Recording deviceWhite House Telephone
AI Summary

President Nixon initiated this call to commend Senator Edward Gurney for his political performance and his recent support during the Florida primary. The two discussed their shared disdain for George Meany, with Nixon comparing the labor leader's perceived arrogance to 19th-century business titans. Nixon encouraged Gurney to continue his aggressive public stance, reaffirming their mutual alignment against Meany's influence.

Edward GurneyGeorge MeanyFlorida primaryLabor relationsPolitical strategyMedia coverage
AudioNARA Description

On March 24, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and Edward J. Gurney talked on the telephone from 2:22 pm to 2:23 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 022-020 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 22-20

Date: March 24, 1972
Time: 2:22 pm - 2:23 pm
Location: White House Telephone

The President talked with Edward J. Gurney.

[See Conversation No. 326-22]

     Gurney’s performance as Senator
         -The President’s view
         -Media coverage
         -The President’s news summary
         -Florida primary

     George Meany
          -Gurney’s view
          -Views
          -Historical analogy
               -19th Century
          -Gurney’s response
          -Public response
Transcript (AI-Generated)

This transcript was generated automatically by AI and has not been reviewed for accuracy. Do not cite this transcript as authoritative. Consult the Finding Aid above for verified information.

hello senator gurney hello yes mr president i just want you to know you know i uh have to stay out of these uh various things that you fellows engage in down there but that i think you're just doing a great job well i appreciate that and i've and uh you sort of wonder you know what the media doesn't give the coverage that you would think but
A hardly day goes by, but my news summary doesn't say Senator Gurney gave him hell.
So keep it up.
Don't worry.
And thanks for what you did in Florida the other day.
Well, you had a great victory, Don.
Good.
And incidentally, let me tell you that I'm going to continue to take a damn hard line with this meanie fella.
I don't think we can let him get away with this.
Well, I don't think so either.
He's arrogant.
He sets himself above the president.
Well, he's taken the eye, the view that, you know, that the public be damned.
Now, we no more, we couldn't let business get away with that in the latter part of the 19th century, and we're not going to let labor leaders get away with it in the latter part of the 20th century.
Well, I'm for you 100%.
Okay.
I think the people are getting that message.
Right.
Well, good luck and thank you.
Thank you.
Bye.
Bye-bye.
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