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Conversation 292-026

TapeTape 292StartTuesday, October 19, 1971 at 6:04 PMEndTuesday, October 19, 1971 at 6:09 PMTape start time02:37:46Tape end time02:42:05ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Graham, William F. ("Billy")Recording deviceOld Executive Office Building
AI Summary

President Nixon and evangelist Billy Graham engaged in a brief, informal discussion that transitioned from personal pleasantries into a deliberation regarding political strategy and economic messaging. The President solicited Graham’s counsel on a new initiative, emphasizing the need for a private follow-up meeting to refine their approach. Furthermore, Nixon touched upon the political sensitivities of tax restructuring, suggesting that any proposed tax increases must be carefully framed within the broader context of tax reform to maintain public support.

Political strategyTax reformEconomic policyBilly GrahamExecutive communication
AudioNARA Description

On October 19, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon and William F. ("Billy") Graham met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building from 6:04 pm to 6:09 pm. The Old Executive Office Building taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 292-026 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 292-26

Date: October 19, 1971
Time: 6:04 pm - 6:09 pm
Location: Executive Office Building

The President talked with William F. (“Billy”) Graham.

[See Conversation No. 11-148; one item has been withdrawn from the conversation]
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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.

John, yeah, I was going to tell you that I feel that on this initiative that that's something that we ought to perhaps, the first bite on that is you and I ought to sit down and talk about it, you know, so that I sort of get a good feel of it, and then you should get a comment, and if this is something you agree with, you should be sort of sent this kind of thing anyway, you see.
What do you think?
And the more I feel about it, I don't know, I think this is a really cold judgment, but I really think we've got to go for it.
What do you think, Matt?
And the other thing is that Pat, of course, is very, very sensitive politically, but I just wonder if the tax increase then is all that important, particularly if you can relate it to tax reform, you know.
Let's see.
We're restructuring the whole tax farm.
Yeah.
And also reform and so forth.
I'm going.
No, I'm not feeling like it.
Maybe we can do it Saturday.
We don't mind doing it again.
Fair enough.
All right.
Okay.
Anything else of interest?
Good.
Oh, good.
Well, they know how they're trying to screw us into things, so be sure they know.
All right, fine.
Bye-bye.
Dr. Billy Graham, please.
Hello?
Hello, Billy?
You back home?
Oh, they're all our friends.
Give them my best.
Tell them I like to do their ads.
They've been great.
I used to sell them in, you know, in the football and baseball games.
Oh, my.
But we've stayed there now.
We've stayed there now in New Hampshire and Oregon and other places.
Well, that's great.
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