Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 278 › Conversation 278-009

Nixon & Finch on Revenue Sharing and Welfare Reform

Thursday, September 9, 1971 · 1:48 PM–1:52 PM ET · Old Executive Office Building · 3 min

ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President); Finch, Robert H.Conversation278-009 on Tape 278 (tape position 00:10:32–00:13:34)StartThursday, September 9, 1971 at 1:48 PMEndThursday, September 9, 1971 at 1:52 PMRecording deviceOld Executive Office BuildingSourceNixon Library record for 278-009 ↗

AI Summary

President Nixon and Robert H. Finch discussed the political strategy surrounding the administration's legislative agenda, specifically focusing on revenue sharing and welfare reform. Nixon emphasized the importance of promoting the work ethic to bolster public support for his economic policies heading into an election year. The pair also exchanged personal pleasantries regarding a mutual acquaintance, affirming the individual's qualifications and professional reputation.

Audio

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Transcript (AI-generated)

This transcript was generated automatically by AI (WhisperX) and has not been reviewed for accuracy. Names and numbers are often wrong; speakers are not identified. Do not cite it as authoritative — verify against the audio and the finding aid.

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Hello.
We laid a hell of a lot on our laps.
My daughter, Kirsha, put it very well.
She said, you know, Daddy, she said economics and charity is all such a thing.
You didn't make it as interesting, I guess, as you could.
After, you know.
supposed to react on.
In the election year, they don't react that good, usually, though.
We put the whole plate there.
You know, if us groups were able to go up and put the revenue sharing, the government, the New York City Commission, to help their reform, and to even help the public, they'd do it all in this session.
Well, they should.
Now, that's how we got their ass to do it.
I thought it was well to really get in the work ethic there, and I did that very hard for a long period of time.
It was a lot of development.
It was pretty good.
It was a bit of a system.
It was more profitable.
I had people want to go to work.
I'd reduce 7.7 to 3.0.
Say a vote.
I think the main thing about it is the people who met him.
You know, like, I told him, you know, I told him, he's a letter out to California, you know, right now, you're really fine, you know.
I said to him, you know, by the way, you and your wife are fine.
Or, he's like a very good man.
Great guy.
Great boss.
Great at something.
Right.
I think he'd be great.
Yeah, right.
And also he's got a hell of a color.
He's a great color.
Yeah.
Very good.
Thank you.

NARA Description

On September 9, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon and Robert H. Finch met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building from 1:48 pm to 1:52 pm. The Old Executive Office Building taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 278-009 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid

Conversation No. 278-9

Date: September 9, 1971
Time 1:48 pm - 1:52 pm
Location: Executive Office Building

The President talked with Robert H. Finch.

**********************************************************************

[Previous PRMPA Personal Returnable (G) withdrawal reviewed under deed of gift 04/01/2019.
Segment cleared for release.]
[Personal Returnable]
[278-009-w001]
[Duration: 1m 8s]

[See Conversation No. 8-69]

[End of telephone conversation]

**********************************************************************

Also recorded on September 9, 1971

  • 008-067 1:33 PM · 6 min — President Richard M. Nixon, Charles W. Colson, and Manolo Sanchez talked on the telephone from 1:33 pm to 1:39 pm.
  • 008-068 1:39 PM · 6 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 1:39 pm and 1:48 pm.
  • 278-007 1:39 PM · 21 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and Manolo Sanchez met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at an unknown time between 1:39 pm and 1:48 pm.
  • 278-008 1:39 PM · 7 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at an unknown time between 1:39 pm and 1:48 pm.
  • 008-069 1:48 PM · 4 min — President Richard M. Nixon and Robert H. Finch talked on the telephone from 1:48 pm to 1:52 pm.
  • 278-010 1:52 PM · 1 min — President Richard M. Nixon and H. R. ("Bob") Haldeman met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at an unknown time between 1:52 pm and 1:58 pm.
  • 008-070 1:58 PM · 5 min — President Richard M. Nixon and Charles W. Colson talked on the telephone from 1:58 pm to 2:03 pm.
  • 278-011 1:58 PM · 2 min — President Richard M. Nixon and Charles W. Colson met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at an unknown time between 1:58 pm and 2:03 pm.

All 58 conversations from September 9, 1971 →

Cite this conversation

Conversation 278-009, September 9, 1971. White House Tapes, Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, National Archives. Audio and AI transcript via Easy Nixon, https://www.easynixon.org/tapes/278-009 (accessed October 10, 2026).