Nixon White House Tapes — Conversation 281-005
Date: Thursday, October 21, 1971 at 8:30 AM
Participants: Nixon, Richard M. (President)
Recording device: Old Executive Office Building
Source: https://www.easynixon.org/tapes/281-005

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 Do not cite it as authoritative.

[23:07] Okay.
[23:11] The fight was made by a friend.
[23:27] The President of the United States, when he is in office.
[23:37] The most important appointments.
[23:45] Before your turn.
[23:46] The President of the United States makes an average of over 5,000 appointments.
[23:57] various positions, the various government positions.
[24:04] By far the most important appointments he makes are those to the Supreme Court of the United States.
[24:19] For that reason, I would like to share with you tonight my reasons for naming
[24:26] Selecting two individuals.
[24:46] Two individuals from the card.
[24:54] that I will be sending to the Senate tomorrow, where I approve her sentence, these words.
[25:11] And the president's come and gone, but the court, through its decisions,
[25:25] gone forever.
[25:31] But the Supreme Court, through its decision, affects the presidents and all Americans for generations to come.
[25:48] This has come and gone.
[25:50] But the Supreme Court, through its decision,
[25:55] goes on forever.
[25:57] They will be making decisions that will affect your lives and the lives of your children for generations to come.
[26:08] I'd like to share with you tonight my reasons for naming the two names, or for naming the two individuals.
[26:25] My reason is for selecting the two outstanding individuals whose names I will select in Senate law for their approving.
[26:38] For appointing to the Supreme Court the two outstanding individuals whose names I will select in Senate law for their confirmation law.
[26:54] to the Senate tomorrow for their confirmation.
[27:13] That's what I should do.
[27:14] As you might imagine.
[27:15] So, there's not just a great majority, but actually presidents and all Americans for generations to come.
[27:27] And actually, the president said, all Americans, for generations to come.
[27:33] And actually, we just have these words.
[27:38] You guys, there's a problem that's gotta go.
[27:48] This is what goes on forever, right?
[28:05] and that the Supreme Court, through its decisions, goes on forever.
[28:12] We will make decisions which will affect your lives and the lives of your children for generations to come.
[28:17] I should like to share with you tonight my reasons for selecting officials whose names
[28:31] I am nominated for the basis of the Supreme Court, whose names I will send to the Senate tomorrow for confirmation.
[28:57] Over the past two months,
[29:01] scores of outstanding lawyers, the names of scores of outstanding lawyers from all over the country.
[29:19] Over the past two months, I have received thousands of letters from all over the country urging me to apply.
[29:31] Exceptional ability.
[29:34] Exceptional quality.
[29:45] Over the past two... Over the past two months.