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Conversation 773-014

TapeTape 773StartFriday, September 8, 1972 at 12:14 PMEndFriday, September 8, 1972 at 12:18 PMParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Sikes, Robert L. F.;  Sikes, Robert L. F. (Mrs.);  Cook, Richard K.;  Nidecker, John E.;  White House photographerRecording deviceOval Office
AI Summary

President Nixon met with Representative Robert L.F. Sikes and his wife to discuss the political climate of the 1972 campaign and the importance of maintaining a strong national defense. Sikes expressed his support for Nixon’s policies, particularly regarding defense spending, while criticizing the platform of Democratic challenger George McGovern as potentially damaging to U.S. global standing. The brief meeting also included a photo opportunity, the presentation of presidential gifts, and casual conversation regarding White House history and the administration’s views on wealth distribution.

1972 Presidential CampaignNational DefenseGeorge McGovernFlorida PoliticsRobert L.F. Sikes
AudioNARA Description

On September 8, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon, Robert L. F. Sikes, Mrs. Robert L. F. Sikes, Richard K. Cook, John E. Nidecker, and White House photographer met in the Oval Office of the White House from 12:14 pm to 12:18 pm. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 773-014 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 773-14

Date: September 8, 1972
Time: 12:14 pm - 12:18 pm
Location: Oval Office

The President met with Robert L.F. Sikes, Mrs. Robert L.F. (Inez Tyner) Sikes, Richard K. Cook

                                         (rev. Oct-06)

and John E. Nidecker.

[The White House photographer was present at the beginning of the meeting]

            Greetings

            [General discussion]

            Photograph

            Sikes family
                -Republican heritage

            Health

            Congressmen
               -Democrats
               -Primary

            The President's conversation with Carl B. Albert

            George S. McGovern
               -1972 campaign
                    -Security of US
                        -Possible defense budget cuts
                        -Position of US
                    -Vietnam

            Sikes
                -Campaign
                -Support of the President's policies
                -1972 campaign
                    -Florida
                        -Results for the President
                -Support for the President's programs
                    -Defense
                        -The President's analysis
                              -Importance

            Presidential gifts
                -Flag

                                        (rev. Oct-06)

                   -Pin

              Walter E. Annenberg
                  -Ambassador to London
                  -Steuben Glass
                      -Base
                      -Semi-precious stones
                      -Thelma C. (“Pat”) Nixon

              White House
                 -Unknown British artist
                 -Additional wings
                 -Potomac River
                     -Course of river
                 -War of 1812
                 -Oval Office
                     -Tree
                          -Peking

              The President's family
                  -Schedules of daughters
                      -Vienna
                      -New York

              US military

              Wealthy
                 -Rich people compared with poor people

Sikes et al. left at 12:18 pm.
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.

How are you?
How are you?
I think you want to make sure you want to go to the letter.
I have to say, I'm proud of you.
That's a strong Republican heritage.
That's great.
President, can we do one thing with the congressman?
Yeah, we'll have this for you.
The congressman is right here.
You look great back there.
That's right.
That's right.
No, I think it's going to be very good.
We've got to hear something.
Your people are just about sold in the old bus.
They're out.
They're out.
Oh, well, I reckon we're kind enough to know.
Well, I assure you, it's been a great pleasure to spend time with you.
Spent time, I know, because you've got me, Carl, and I know that there's a lot of people who say that you're a blessing to all of us, but on the other hand, we're the superior countries of all.
Just like that.
Exactly.
Thank you.
It would make us number two.
It certainly would.
But out of Vietnam.
But out of there.
And every day in the world, they lose confidence in you.
Right.
Well, I have, even in my campaign down there, and I've got, when I run a Democratic district, you're going to carry it over.
Well, you're going to carry my district over.
You're going to carry Florida over.
But even in my district, I support your program.
And on every one of these points.
I'm proud of you, man, particularly on defense.
That's the thing, man.
I understand the domestic issues in all our defenses and what matters.
I wish I had that platform.
You want to go take another platform?
I'm very good.
I can't deal with that, Mr. President.
I can't deal with that.
There's your president, Mr. President.
Right off the flag.
Thank you so much.
Same for you.
We're in trouble today.
This is an interesting thing.
This is an interesting thing.
This is an interesting thing.
This is an interesting thing.
This is an interesting thing.
This is an interesting thing.
Probably you're right.
Everybody knows this.
This is a semi-crisis stone.
I'm sorry, but it's beautiful.
Very.
My wife... Well, there's sometimes... That is the mentality.
I had an old friend of us, a friend of the White House, and I had radio service before, before they built the wing 100 years ago, when the river was much higher.
The river used to run very close to the ground.
That's what he used to look at.
Well,
They work hard.
One daughter is at the end of the day, and the other one is at the end of the day.
You mentioned the military.
You mentioned the military.
We're not going off on that.
No, I don't.
Thank you very much.
We don't want to redistribute the wealth.
You know what that means?
That means naked from the people that work and naked from the people that don't work.
That doesn't make any sense.
And the poor people don't need poor.
Somebody's got to do the work.
But even if they sound good to some people, I'm sorry.
I know.
Thank you.
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