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Conversation 627-010

TapeTape 627StartWednesday, December 1, 1971 at 12:27 PMEndWednesday, December 1, 1971 at 12:37 PMTape start time02:21:54Tape end time02:31:04ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Brown, Clarence J.Recording deviceOval Office
AudioNARA Description

On December 1, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon and Clarence J. Brown met in the Oval Office of the White House from 12:27 pm to 12:37 pm. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 627-010 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 627-10

Date: December 1, 1971
Time: 12:27 pm - 12:37 pm
Location: Oval Office

The President talked with Clarence J. (“Bud”) Brown.

[See Conversation No. 15-181]
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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.

But I just had him do a background check and some talking points, so that when you finish doing the end or something, you decide to do something before you walk out or something like that.
How do we get at this speech business?
Well, as I thought about it, that's the way that I've been thinking.
We're the art of our time.
The art of our time.
The art of our time.
The art of our time.
The art of our time.
The art of our time.
The art of our time.
The art of our time.
I'm going to make a speech, though.
I don't know if you'll be able to hear me.
I'm going to make a speech, though.
I'm going to make a speech, though.
I'm going to make a speech, though.
Håll på!
Ja, ja.
When will the conference be?
I need to talk to you.
Ah, right, right.
Yeah.
Right, right.
Yes, sir.
Yes, sir.
Well, it sounded a little like election years, when you did the Chekhov and all the rest.
That's really something, isn't it?
Yeah.
Ja.
Ja.
Ja.
Ja.
Ja.
Ja.
Ja.
Ja.
Sure.
Sure.
As far as this, as far as they're saying that this hurts us in 72, that isn't quite a problem, it isn't.
I'm going to make sure.
Yeah, yeah.
Ja.
Ja, ja, ja.
Ja.
Very good point.
Ja, ja, ja.
Even though the tax on it is too, but it's still a good thing.
That's right.
That's right.
But it's a profound change for another reason.
Basically, when we get into this country, we have to realize that when the franchise is limited, basically, the property order is only $50,000.
We don't need to live in this country.
But the reason for it was really to see that the decisions were made by more responsible people.
Now, we have not sent a franchise to everybody, but on the other hand, insofar as participation in campaigns is concerned,
Individuals who contribute to campaigns, for the most part, are the more responsible people, whether they be Republicans or Democrats, whether they care about a little money, they have a stake in the system, and they contribute.
Once you set up a system whereby, well, the tax system painlessly takes care of it all, then the interest of the people, the responsible people, will go way down.
The other side of the question is that as far as the candidate is concerned, he will...
Be free as a bird, to be just as totally irresponsible as he wants to be.
In other words, they talk about the viciousness of lobbies and so forth.
Well, a lobby is a pretty good restraint on some irresponsible guy, as you know.
Otherwise, you're just going to slap the bullet.
Do you think that probably makes sense?
It can't go itself, either way.
Try it.
Oh, that's true.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Right.
On a volunteer, on a basis where he himself decides to make a commitment.
Painless labor.
It doesn't cost him.
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