Conversation 044-145

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Yeah.

Hi, Jerry.

There wasn't a thing to tell you about that, except, as you know, to tell you about your failing to get a majority on that veto.

I mean, you fell short.

Well, our guys did a hell of a job.

They sure did.

You know we're having a party.

Tomorrow night, 5.30, and I'm invited.

And if you don't mind, if you can stand it, I'm going to have 35 senators here, too.

You mind?

Oh, sure, yeah.

We'll put up with them.

36 of them.

36.

Well, I think it's a great idea.

Well, I thought we ought to get—you see, remember, we had a group down in those that supported Vietnam.

A lot of this will be the same.

And we won't do it.

We can't do it every time, but I think they'll all know that they've enlisted in the battle for the duration.

That's what I want them to get their feeling on, on this darn thing.

We got 28 Democrats, surprises like Eddie Boland and Bob Gimo, but...

This is damn good.

And also you've got 163 Republicans.

That's right.

And we had about four more.

Bob Price, for example, was with us, but then when we had a good margin, we told him to go ahead.

Sure, I understand.

A couple of others.

Our guys did a great job, and they're proud of it.

That's the main thing.

You know, the best thing, Jerry, is to get in a good fight and win one, and then fellows are proud.

That's right.

And they're even proud when they lose, you know.

That's the point.

But the main thing is they've got to fight.

Right.

I'll make one comment now.

Sure.

The Senate did a good job last week, and I think we...

The House did this week.

Now...

I'm getting some overtures from the Democrats.

Well, let's compromise on some of these other things.

Now, I'm told, and I've seen it over in HEW on this Older Americans Act, that Kurzman is just adamant against any compromise.

I think we can get at least three-quarters of what we want on the older Americans.

And I tried to call John Ehrlichman, and I said, John, let's not just say— Have you talked to him?

I had to go out of town before he called back.

I'll talk to him.

If we could get three-quarters of what we want on these things, then I think we've not only done the right thing politically, but we've also substantively achieved a hell of a lot.

And I just hope that John and the others will be a little...

Right.

It's hard to put your folks to the sword every time.

That's right.

I mean, you can do it a couple of times, but they shouldn't do it with the administration in concrete on everything.

Yeah, I get your point.

Okay.

I'll talk to John to talk to, well, it isn't, yeah, I see.

But we'll try to see what can be done.

I don't know myself.

I haven't looked at it yet.

No, of course you wouldn't.

But I will see on the details.

But Al Quee says we can get the older Americans at least three-quarters of what the difference is.

And if that's the case, I think we win and everything.

Incidentally, John will be at this thing tomorrow night.

Why don't you buttonhole him there?

I'll let him know what you want to talk about.

You buttonhole him, will you?

All right, I will, Mr. President.

Good, good.

All right.

Thank you very much for calling, and I appreciate it.

Why don't you go home to Grand Rapids?

Good God, you couldn't lose, you know, if you shot your... Oh, I wouldn't have fought like hell on a panel on welfare against...

five others who were all the bleeding hearts, and then I went and made a speech to the law enforcement officers at 9.30 last night.

All right, all right.

Well, that's why you always win.

You never forget the home folks.

Okay.

Thanks, Mr. President.