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Conversation 720-006

TapeTape 720StartFriday, May 5, 1972 at 11:40 AMEndFriday, May 5, 1972 at 11:46 AMTape start time01:27:24Tape end time01:33:59ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Rauscher, Frank J.;  Richardson, Elliot L.;  Cole, Kenneth R., Jr.;  Cavanaugh, James H.;  White House photographerRecording deviceOval Office
AI Summary

President Nixon met with Frank J. Rauscher, Elliot L. Richardson, Kenneth R. Cole, Jr., and James H. Cavanaugh to discuss the administration's cancer research program and broader legislative concerns. Nixon emphasized his commitment to concentrating resources on cancer as a model for addressing other health issues, while also instructing Rauscher on how to frame this approach publicly. The conversation concluded with Nixon expressing deep frustration regarding the current legislative climate in Congress, specifically citing difficulties with Social Security and overall spending policies.

Cancer researchHealth policyCongressional relationsSocial SecurityFederal spendingPresidential communication
AudioNARA Description

On May 5, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon, Frank J. Rauscher, Elliot L. Richardson, Kenneth R. Cole, Jr., James H. Cavanaugh, and White House photographer met in the Oval Office of the White House from 11:40 am to 11:46 am. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 720-006 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 720-6

Date: May 5, 1972
Time: 11:40 am - 11:46 am

                                          (rev. Jan-02)
Location: Oval Office

The President met with Frank J. Rauscher, Elliot L. Richardson, Kenneth R. Cole, Jr., and James
H. Cavanaugh; the White House photographer and members of the press were present at the
beginning of the meeting.

      The President’s schedule
           -Previous meeting with the President’s Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board [PFIAB]

      Greetings
           -Rauscher
                -Accomplishments

      Photograph
           -Arrangements

      Steuben crystal [“Star of the President”]
           -Walter H. Annenberg gift

      [Photograph session]

      Cancer program
          -President's support
                -Instructions to Rauscher
                -New approaches
                      -Other health fields
          -Concentration of resources

      Gifts
              -Cuff links
                   -New set

      Congress
          -Duplicity
          -Health program
          -Revenue sharing
          -Welfare reform
          -Social Security
          -Spending policies

Rauscher, et al., left at 11:46 am.

                                         (rev. Jan-02)
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'm sorry to keep you waiting.
I've got a meeting to call before it.
I'll just fire you.
Well, I'm going to first talk to Frank Rock.
Yes, you're the savior of the evening.
I'm going to have you come here.
I'm going to try and set up businesses.
I'm going to try.
I'm going to try.
Well, this is the day you go out and tell them how you're going to do it.
I know you now.
It's great to have a young man like you on the show.
Thank you for your compliment.
Why is it distinguished as a woman with a ten-ounce standing?
She was chosen to be a spot in something you're old for.
Come on over here.
What's that?
Yes, sir.
Press 1.
Press 2.
Oh, sure.
That's what it used to be in it, too.
Well, and, uh, say, Doctor, uh, I think you should be in the middle here.
I'm treating the two of us.
You're the man.
I've got to get a move with each of that stuff.
Yeah, that's, uh, a gift of Walter Annenberg.
It's made by a student.
He had, he decided to make it.
So, we put it on the desk.
I'm going to have to come up with a new video.
I'm going to have to come up with a new video.
Thank you.
One thing that's not very bad about this, is that we have a very, very good, very good, very good, very good, very good, very good, very good, very good, very good.
Oh, yeah.
Thank you.
I just felt right now.
That's why we need you.
I mean, we're totally back to you.
I know you're not.
I'm clear that the secretary's back to you.
You won't hear from me except to, you know, our team.
I want you, wherever you go when you make a speech, I mean, in terms of poetic license, and you can say that I, in society, you can say that I am disgusted, that I feel this way, that this is a, that the President cannot, of course, concentrate on.
on every particular field of society.
And every illness affects society.
And there are so many others.
But we have selected this as the target of it.
And we're going after it.
And if this kind of approach works here, we're going to try in other fields.
That's another good point.
So that people that are interested in heart disease and arthritis and all the rest say, why are you just doing it for cancer?
Yes.
But this is a program.
It works here, this concentration of money and effort and talent works here, which I'm excellent at.
I'll do it when I share it with you.
All right.
Your confidence will not be displaced.
We'll do it.
We're going to do it.
Thanks very much.
Gosh, I'm so proud of you.
Well, we have some new presidential conflicts here.
That's the seal.
Thank you very much.
Thank you.
I can't even get along with the instructors.
I don't know.
I can't.
Isn't it awkward that I do?
Unbelievable.
Unbelievable.
They're total.
I mean, my God.
The way they handle it.
The way they handle it.
It is unbelievable.
Social Security is unbelievable.
Did you ever, did you ever stand by a trade and said that we could, you know, change the way you like to, you know, I mean, the main thing is to get responsibility out there.
The leadership is going to see it.
You go out there and you meet your friends out there and you talk to them.
But that, but looking at what we're making out of the Senate, we were probably not even supporting.
Well, there's two of them that cost $13 billion a year.
I'm going to have an indefinite expansion of it.
I'm going to have a subgroup of people.
Right.
All right.
Good luck.
Don't give up, though.
Keep your spirit up.
Okay.
Thank you, sir.
I'm happy.
We're much.
Thank you.
Oh, sure.
30 seconds of shot.
Sure.
No, it isn't.
No, no, no.
I have to do it.
I mean, because there are people in the service.
Do you want to see how many of them?
No, I didn't get the word in.
Did I say the accuracy?
Okay, do you want a writer or a candidate?
We don't have any.
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