Nixon White House Tapes — Conversation 330-004
Date: Wednesday, April 5, 1972 at 9:00 AM
Participants: Nixon, Richard M. (President); Andrews, John K., Jr.
Recording device: Old Executive Office Building
Source: https://www.easynixon.org/tapes/330-004

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 Do not cite it as authoritative.

[3:10] I think this is...
[3:40] We have limited funds for education.
[3:55] We should put those funds in better institutions.
[4:09] I uh
[4:40] It might sharpen it up and put it to sense.
[4:42] We have a good response.
[4:48] A good response to a better education.
[4:49] And it's more clear that they're at an education.
[4:53] In barrier schools.
[4:54] Rather than at home.
[4:56] The more bustling the children are with.
[5:01] They get it.
[5:03] They get it on the school line too.
[5:06] Then...
[5:10] I have a thought here where we can probably sharpen up just a little.
[5:12] As you know, Greece would be into their delivery.
[5:25] Buzzing here is the reason why they've tied it down.
[5:27] This is some of the most important things in the system.
[5:34] That's the most important thing.
[5:35] Why?
[6:07] But, as everyone who has studied this problem knows, there are very great constitutional problems.
[6:13] There are very serious constitutional questions that arise when state legislatures or the federal government try to divide aid into non-public schools.
[6:30] There is also the problem of getting action from the conference.
[6:39] I didn't want any attacks from the military.
[6:40] I did not raise any money.
[6:40] I didn't have any excuse for damage.
[6:41] I thought it was a good idea to have a practical problem with this.
[7:04] And then go into the business of your studies, for example.
[7:12] And then say, I... You should know my commitment to the solution.
[7:20] But I did not come here to make you work this around.
[7:29] I am not...
[7:29] I am not...
[7:32] I'm not going to make promises that I can't keep.
[7:37] 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.
[7:58] But I made that become part of the last of it.
[8:01] But this
[8:02] This I will say.
[8:03] But I am committed to these.
[8:05] I am committed to these propositions.
[8:07] America needs non-public schools.
[8:09] Non-public schools need help.
[8:12] We must find ways to provide that help.
[8:15] And then go on into the other things.
[8:18] I don't know if that's something we've done here.
[8:20] I'm sure you've been committed to the preservation of non-public schools in America.
[8:32] I am directing all of this to the developer, which will serve that agenda.
[8:40] 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.
[8:56] put across more strongly.
[8:57] 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.
[9:07] I'm not promising something I can't do, but I will tell you what I will do.
[9:13] I will tell you what I will do, and I'm ready for a solution.
[9:19] And you say, I, we, we,
[9:25] Maybe you could do that.
[9:26] Or you could say, after you've gone through that stuff on the page, take some notes on the page, and so forth.
[9:48] And then you're in action.
[10:26] Take those thoughts and see if there's a line that should go in.
[10:32] If this is an election year, let it recognize that this is not an issue.
[10:38] An issue divided by party.
[10:42] Any more than an issue divided by religion.
[10:47] Occasionally.
[10:50] Workshops as well.
[10:55] I think those are the only thoughts that I have, but it's all shaping up into good form, I think.
[11:19] And, uh,
[11:25] I have something.
[11:54] It's fine.