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Conversation 330-004

TapeTape 330StartWednesday, April 5, 1972 at 9:00 AMEndWednesday, April 5, 1972 at 9:10 AMTape start time00:02:59Tape end time00:12:23ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Andrews, John K., Jr.Recording deviceOld Executive Office Building
AI Summary

President Nixon met with speechwriter John K. Andrews, Jr. to refine a draft of a major speech on education policy. The discussion focused on balancing the President's commitment to non-public school assistance and neighborhood schools against the reality of severe constitutional and legislative constraints. Nixon directed Andrews to revise the text to emphasize the administration's sincere commitment to these issues while avoiding the creation of false expectations regarding immediate solutions.

Education policySpeechwritingBusingNon-public schoolsConstitutional law
AudioNARA Description

On April 5, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and John K. Andrews, Jr. met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building from 9:00 am to 9:10 am. The Old Executive Office Building taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 330-004 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 330-4

Date: April 5, 1972
Time: 9:00 am - 9:10 am
Location: Executive Office Building

The President met with John K. Andrews, Jr.

       Greetings

Speech on education
     -Draft
           -Revisions
                 -Cuts
           -Limited education funds
                 -Change in text
           -Busing
           -Additions
           -Education
                 -Busing
                 -Neighborhood schools
           -Cuts in text
     -Busing
           -Additions to text
     -Constitutional problems to busing
           -State legislatures
                 -Non-public schools
     -Congressional action
           -Problems
                 -Tax cuts
     -The President's solution to problems
           -False hopes
           -Statement
                 -Place in speech
     -Non-public schools
           -Assistance
           -Wording
                 -Changes
           -The President's commitment
                 -False hopes
                 -Solutions
           -Constitutional problems
     -Text of speech
           -Additions
                 -Partisan issue
                 -Religious issue
           -Changes by Andrews

                        -John D. Ehrlichman's advice
             -Another meeting on speech
                  -Time
                  -Final copy

Andrews left at 9:10 am.
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.

I think this is...
We have limited funds for education.
We should put those funds in better institutions.
I uh
It might sharpen it up and put it to sense.
We have a good response.
A good response to a better education.
And it's more clear that they're at an education.
In barrier schools.
Rather than at home.
The more bustling the children are with.
They get it.
They get it on the school line too.
Then...
I have a thought here where we can probably sharpen up just a little.
As you know, Greece would be into their delivery.
Buzzing here is the reason why they've tied it down.
This is some of the most important things in the system.
That's the most important thing.
Why?
But, as everyone who has studied this problem knows, there are very great constitutional problems.
There are very serious constitutional questions that arise when state legislatures or the federal government try to divide aid into non-public schools.
There is also the problem of getting action from the conference.
I didn't want any attacks from the military.
I did not raise any money.
I didn't have any excuse for damage.
I thought it was a good idea to have a practical problem with this.
And then go into the business of your studies, for example.
And then say, I... You should know my commitment to the solution.
But I did not come here to make you work this around.
I am not...
I am not...
I'm not going to make promises that I can't keep.
I'm not going to create hopes where it might be damaged or dissipated among people, dedicated people who are so desperate to be equal this time.
But I made that become part of the last of it.
But this
This I will say.
But I am committed to these.
I am committed to these propositions.
America needs non-public schools.
Non-public schools need help.
We must find ways to provide that help.
And then go on into the other things.
I don't know if that's something we've done here.
I'm sure you've been committed to the preservation of non-public schools in America.
I am directing all of this to the developer, which will serve that agenda.
I'm just suggesting all of this as a way for you to take that page and play around with it, and see if you can get something that's a little more bitey.
put across more strongly.
Basically, to put in the commitment, and also to be put in first, if I say one, it's a very difficult problem, and I know that I'm not doing any crap, you know, to the effect that I can solve it.
I'm not promising something I can't do, but I will tell you what I will do.
I will tell you what I will do, and I'm ready for a solution.
And you say, I, we, we,
Maybe you could do that.
Or you could say, after you've gone through that stuff on the page, take some notes on the page, and so forth.
And then you're in action.
Take those thoughts and see if there's a line that should go in.
If this is an election year, let it recognize that this is not an issue.
An issue divided by party.
Any more than an issue divided by religion.
Occasionally.
Workshops as well.
I think those are the only thoughts that I have, but it's all shaping up into good form, I think.
And, uh,
I have something.
It's fine.
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