Nixon White House Tapes — Conversation 502-003
Date: Thursday, May 20, 1971 at 8:16 AM
Participants: Nixon, Richard M. (President); Ball, George W.
Recording device: Oval Office
Source: https://www.easynixon.org/tapes/502-003

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 Do not cite it as authoritative.

[0:03] So before you got into your work, I wanted to tell you that I was talking to Gregor.
[0:20] I said, you know, that was a very good job.
[0:23] And he said, well, he said the man that really helped us the most on the Democratic side was George Ball.
[0:28] So I just wanted to express appreciation to you and tell you that while we naturally have our differences on party and other matters, I really thought this was a really fine demonstration
[0:32] You know, putting the interests of the country first.
[0:39] And I know you worked, from what I heard, very long hours.
[0:42] And I'm sorry we can't pay you what you work.
[0:46] Right.
[0:46] And they all came true.
[0:47] All of you.
[0:48] Remember the ones you said you talked about all came true.
[0:54] And that was the one.
[0:55] I got that vote again.
[0:56] It turned, it didn't even get as much as Fulbright said.
[1:13] Sure.
[1:20] Probably the best thing is to have that done by state, don't you think?
[1:36] Because Bill and John Irwin, all that, just talking to the family, it is the international family.
[1:38] There is a great sensitivity sometimes in the state for anybody in the White House, you know, to do it.
[1:58] And we've had that problem, as you know, with the press nurses.
[2:00] But I think I'll have a talk with Bill and just say, look, we can do it.
[2:01] Because we do want to do it.
[2:02] And, of course, I see lots of individual senators, but I can't see them all.
[2:03] And what has to happen is that I have a dozen of them.
[2:05] That's to your point exactly.
[2:05] Yeah.
[2:08] so that they have a feeling of being in on the deal.
[2:25] That's right.
[2:25] Yeah.
[2:25] There'll be an announcement today that will be of considerable interest in this general area, and you'll, I think, after you hear it, will realize, well, that we are working on a few things.
[2:31] Yeah.
[2:31] But anyway, I do appreciate your having worked with me, and I'm most grateful.
[2:33] Thank you.