Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 867 › Conversation 867-033

Nixon, Ball & Bull on Social Security Administration and Public Relations

Friday, March 2, 1973 · 4:08 PM–5:05 PM ET · Oval Office · 3 min

ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President); Bull, Stephen B.; Ball, Robert; Ball, Robert (Mrs.)Conversation867-033 on Tape 867StartFriday, March 2, 1973 at 4:08 PMEndFriday, March 2, 1973 at 5:05 PMRecording deviceOval OfficeSourceNixon Library record for 867-033 ↗

AI Summary

President Nixon met with Social Security Commissioner Robert Ball and his wife for a courtesy visit that included an official photograph session and an informal discussion about the Social Security program. The conversation touched upon the administration's support for the program's long-term sustainability, the necessity of addressing the impact of inflation on recipients, and the value of self-help initiatives. Nixon praised Ball’s professional competence and integrity before concluding the meeting with a brief mention of family needlepoint artwork.

Audio

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Transcript (AI-generated)

This transcript was generated automatically by AI (WhisperX) and has not been reviewed for accuracy. Names and numbers are often wrong; speakers are not identified. Do not cite it as authoritative — verify against the audio and the finding aid.

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Mr. President, this is Robert Baldwin.
I thought we might get a picture here.
Well, you've, uh, I'd say you've made recommendations, too.
Uh, I saw you working on that.
You're one of those in this area that are, as a, I should be pleased that I was able to tell you that it's a great way to change your confidence and honesty.
Just do your job.
And, oh, I'll manage Bridget's back and all that.
You can do that.
You can do that.
You can do that.
You can do that.
You can do that.
You can do that.
You can do that.
Hard to find, of course.
Yeah.
Well, it's a great program.
You know, it's a real self-help program.
It is not what you think.
Do you believe it?
I certainly don't.
You don't think we should repeal it?
No, no, no.
We're going to do it.
We're going to do it.
We're going to do it.
We're going to do it.
We're going to do it.
We're going to do it.
We're going to do it.
And it's coming out of their own doors.
So I agree with you in a sense, you know, I promise the judges the same thing.
I think personal appeal is what contributes to a destination.
I think personal appeal is our goal, and our social security, our environment, and the state of the scene.
And that's much better than just sitting there saying, what am I going to get?
Much better than contributing to our system.
Oh, and first, we're getting those kids going up and down.
Is that the only thing we can afford?
I don't think it has to go up and down.
I think it's the only government with the best systems in the world.
You wouldn't have to go much more.
Now, that would be cash.
But where do they have the health insurance?
Oh, I understand that.
That's managed cash.
Yeah.
I think it's really a service.
And particularly when we have the inflation, the inflation equalize, right?
And that's it.
And that's it now.
Right.
So they won't have to catch up.
So the rate is sufficient well into the next century.
I feel great about that.
I think it's great.
We're just taking all those older people and saying, God bless you.
You should say worse things to all of us.
Yes, I know.
We're glad to see you, and I just wish you the very best.
Thank you.
Thank you.
That's the cruel that Julie did in 1969.
Oh, yes, that's true.
Oh, I didn't want to worry you.
That's the only thing a person can do on their own.
All right.
That is right.
Very good.
Goodbye.
Goodbye.

NARA Description

On March 2, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon, Stephen B. Bull, Robert Ball, and Mrs. Robert Ball met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 4:08 pm and 5:05 pm. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 867-033 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid

Conversation No. 867-33

Date: March 2, 1973
Time: Unknown between 4:08 pm and 5:05 pm
Location: Oval Office

The President met with Mr. and Mrs. Robert Ball; Stephen B. Bull and the White House
photographer were present at the beginning of the meeting.

       Introductions
             -Social Security Administration

       Photographs
            -Arrangements

       Ball's job performance
              -Competence
              -Honesty

       Social Security
             -Value
             -Purpose
             -Contributions of recipients
             -Value of system
             -Inflation
                    -Impact
                    -Rate

       Presidential seal crewel work
             -Julie Nixon Eisenhower

Mr. and Mrs. Ball left.

Also recorded on March 2, 1973

  • 867-020 4:08 PM · 17 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and Stephen B. Bull met in the Oval Office of the White House at 4:08 pm.
  • 867-021 4:08 PM · 2 min — President Richard M. Nixon, Stephen B. Bull, Edwin S. Cohen, and Mrs. Cohen met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 4:08 pm and 5:05 pm.
  • 867-022 4:08 PM · 2 min — President Richard M. Nixon, Harold Finger, and Mrs. Harold Finger met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 4:08 pm and 5:05 pm.
  • 867-023 4:08 PM · 2 min — President Richard M. Nixon, Stephen B. Bull, Robert C. Moot, and Mrs. Robert C. Moot met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 4:08 pm and 5:05 pm.
  • 867-024 4:08 PM · 1 min — President Richard M. Nixon, Stephen B. Bull, Richard F. Schubert, and Mrs. Richard F. Schubert met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 4:08 pm and 5:05 pm.
  • 867-025 4:08 PM · 5 min — President Richard M. Nixon, Charles L. Ill, and Stephen B. Bull met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 4:08 pm and 5:05 pm.
  • 867-026 4:08 PM · 2 min — President Richard M. Nixon, Stephen B. Bull, Samuel Jackson, and Mrs. Samuel Jackson met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 4:08 pm and 5:05 pm.
  • 867-027 4:08 PM · 2 min — President Richard M. Nixon, Stephen B. Bull, and Spencer Schedler met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 4:08 pm and 5:05 pm.

All 58 conversations from March 2, 1973 →

Cite this conversation

Conversation 867-033, March 2, 1973. White House Tapes, Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, National Archives. Audio and AI transcript via Easy Nixon, https://www.easynixon.org/tapes/867-033 (accessed October 12, 2026).