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Conversation 220-004

TapeTape 220StartSaturday, October 14, 1972 at 3:50 PMEndSaturday, October 14, 1972 at 3:53 PMParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Ehrlichman, John D.Recording deviceCamp David Hard Wire
AI Summary

President Nixon and John Ehrlichman discuss the strategic benefits of a 20% federal spending limitation, noting its utility in enforcing bureaucratic discipline and shifting blame to Congress. They also coordinate a planned appearance in Philadelphia, framing the event as a non-gimmicky, bipartisan return to constitutional principles. Finally, they briefly address the ongoing political fallout and potential witness appearances related to the Watergate-linked hearings involving John Mitchell and others.

Federal spendingBureaucracyPhiladelphia campaign eventWatergate hearingsJohn MitchellExecutive privilege
AudioNARA Description

On October 14, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and John D. Ehrlichman met in the Aspen Lodge study at Camp David from 3:50 pm to 3:53 pm. The Camp David Hard Wire taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 220-004 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 220-004
Date: October 14, 1972
Time: 3:50 pm -3:53 pm
Location: Camp David Hard Wire
The President talked with John D. Ehrlichman.
[See Conversation No. 149-4]
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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.

Well, we can't hear anything new, right?
Good.
Actually, the 20% limitation basically got the best of both worlds.
It gives us a reason for cutting, you know what I mean, a little discipline with bureaucracy.
And on the other hand, it gives us discretion, right?
And a chance to blame Congress still.
Right.
Right.
Bob, incidentally, did talk to that fellow.
He's just delighted.
Philadelphia.
Yeah.
Yeah, apparently.
It's a great idea.
Of course, it is.
It is a good idea.
But don't you think it really is a good idea?
Yeah.
It's just going to be a picture, and I think your idea is standing out front.
Of course, we have a weather problem.
We've got to watch.
But if we can, we'll find a way to get out there.
Yeah.
Right, right.
And I think that it really isn't too gimmicky because of the sense that the mayor invited us, he's a Democrat, the mayor is constitutional, and that's where it all began, and now we're making this change back to the Constitution, right?
So, anyway, okay, yeah.
Yeah, you don't have to unless there's something I need to know.
They're still sort of billing for the day.
I see that it's kind of still puffing and puffing with these analysis hearings and so forth.
It's just such a damn problem.
Coming this late, it is a blatant thing, of course.
But, you know, it's quite a parade that he has Mitchell and Keith.
You can't, you can't blame any, Mitchell would have to appear.
And so it stands.
We keep the White House on it.
It's like a privilege over the others.
Of course, they'll be pretty good witnesses.
Right.
Just, just one of those.
Okay.
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