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Conversation 768-018

TapeTape 768StartMonday, August 14, 1972 at 12:39 PMEndMonday, August 14, 1972 at 12:45 PMParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Bull, Stephen B.;  Forst, Robert A.;  Evans, L. John;  White House photographerRecording deviceOval Office
AI Summary

President Nixon met with Robert A. Forst and Llewellyn J. Evans, along with aide Stephen B. Bull, to discuss the social standing and political concerns of senior citizens. Nixon and his visitors contrasted the perceived pride and work ethic of retirees with welfare recipients, criticizing liberal policies for grouping the elderly with other welfare-dependent populations. During the meeting, which included a photo session, the President presented the guests with ceremonial gifts, including cufflinks and tie clasps bearing the presidential seal.

Senior citizensWelfare policyLiberalismPublic relationsPresidential gifts
AudioNARA Description

On August 14, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon, Stephen B. Bull, Robert A. Forst, L. John Evans, and White House photographer met in the Oval Office of the White House from 12:39 pm to 12:45 pm. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 768-018 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 768-18

Date: August 14, 1972
Time: 12:39 pm - 12:45 pm
Location: Oval Office

The President met with Stephen B. Bull, Robert Allen Forst and Llewellyn J. Evans; the White
House photographer was present at the beginning of the meeting.

             Greetings

             Forst’s meeting with the President
                 -Forst’s view
                      -Hell’s Kitchen, New York

             Senior citizens

             [Photograph session]

             Senior citizens
                 -Desire to improve society
                 -Contrasted with welfare recipients
                      -Pride of senior citizens
                      -View of liberals
                           -Blind
                           -Poor
                           -Senior citizens
                           -Unwed mothers

             Presentation of gifts by the President
                 -Cuff links
                      -Presidential seal
                 -Pin
                 -Tie clasp

             Forst
                 -Support for the President
                 -Background
                     -Publishing

                                         (rev. Nov-03)

                 -[Senior Citizen Sentinal]
                 -California
                     -Bel Air
                 -Family
                     -Children
                          -Presidential gifts
                               -Tie clasp
                               -Pins

Forst and Evans left at 12:45 am.
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.

Thank you.
Thank you.
Oh, don't we know?
Thank God.
Let's come back here.
Right?
We don't say the country right or wrong.
But we try to make it right.
Well, these people couldn't agree with you more, sir.
The one thing that I'm trying to say, you will surely.
The one thing that I'm trying to say, you will surely.
The one thing that I'm trying to say,
They're not what they've got.
That's the point.
They work all their lives.
I understand the difference.
And they don't want to be put in the same category with a group of people that want to sit in their families and do nothing.
These people are people that work all their lives.
They reach the day to when they should be able to reap some of the benefits of retirement.
And then they're entitled to it.
Absolutely.
It's a matter of right.
Now, as I understand, if you can get them, that's right.
I guarantee you that we can get you.
Don't worry.
We must treat the older people as a matter of life.
That's right.
It's better crime.
It's better crime.
I love that country.
And they just darken it up.
And yet, you know, there is a tendency among some of the ultra-liberal types these days to just put the whole bunches in and put the blind and the poor and the old, you know, right, and the unwed mother.
We will help them with the ones that are done.
We'll provide the data.
And we'll help you.
I'm sure.
But now let's see.
Anybody who comes in this office and reports, it's always going to the presidential complex.
This is the ceiling.
And on the floor, there is the country.
And your wife.
It's the same thing.
It's a little pinch.
Great.
So thank you very, very much, sir.
Do you have one of these?
You don't have to report these.
It's not worth that much.
Mr. President, I presume that we shall do everything we possibly can to serve the nation.
A friend of mine that they fired told me about this.
And I came on in.
I live in California now for about nine, ten years.
I live in Bel Air.
I am married to a native Californian.
I have three kids that have been born in California.
And I have one advantage over you, sir.
You're a Californian by birth.
12, 10, and 5.
Boys or girls?
I have a girl and two boys.
A girl with the illness.
A girl and two boys.
I'm going to pick some up, too.
A girl and two boys.
Boys or girls?
I have a girl.
Well, why is it, sir?
I have a second, sir.
I can see you.
I don't know.
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