RICHARD NIXON TAPES: "Merry Christmas, Operator"

[bruinsfleetcommander]

Despite all the bad things he did, I think Nixon cared about the working class. After all, he did come up from virtual poverty. It is just a shame that his negative factors led him to move in such awful directions later in life.

[ebonics4everyone]

Nixon sounds like a pleasant guy to work for on Christmas. Not that I'd work on Christmas. I'd quit or get fired for being drunk. But thanks for posting this.

[Derby14]

Whether he asked her name or not...it was nice of him to wish her a Merry Christmas. She was not a political ally or enemy,,,just someone he was passing well wishes to. Thank you for posting this.

[elperromagico]

I've always gotten the impression that Nixon was a man who wanted badly to be liked but simply lacked the people skills necessary to do it. He got pretty damn far without them, though.

[djembelife]

Butts = Earl Butz, a Nixon cronny.

[rmm413c]

Butz was Nixon's Secretary of Agriculture.

[bobparis]

You just don't get it, I guess. Only DEMOCRATS have "cabinet secretaries" or "aides" or "friends." Republicans have "cronies."

[matrix49A]

@djembelife Not a kennedy cronnie or a Clinton cronnie or even a obama cronnie

[trevormail]

He said Butts. Hahahahahah.

[TheHonourableJLD]

lol

[janhutchin]

A question--how many operators were there at the white house? He didnt know their names?

[kzachary]

Dozens. Not that he would have known their names if there were only two.

White House operators are renowned for their ability to find anybody in the world any time.

[janhutchin]

Even in 1968 or whenever? And he could have asked.

[rmm413c]

I've listened to numerous Nixon tapes and I've heard a great variety of different people's voices who were working as the operator at the moment. I can't imagine anyone being able to keep up with which voice belonged to whom.

[janhutchin]

Not to belabor the point, although I am, he could have said who's this and then used her name. Or not. He was probably busy concealing things.

[rmm413c]

Not to belabor the point either, but I've listened to a large number of presidential tapes, including JFK's and LBJ's as well as Nixon's, and this is the closest thing to an actual conversation with an operator that I've come across. There may be ones I've just not found yet, but it was very unusual for any caller at the White House to talk to an operator at all, much less ask her name (beyond asking for calls to be placed, of course).

[janhutchin]

So old tricky Dick had his moments?

[TheFrogger15]

It would have been nice if he had asked her name and not just refer to her as "Operator".

[whosoever]

Actions make the man, not sentiments.

Anakin sent the best Christmas cards.

[waynescooby]

Indeed. I look to many things beyond sentiment to formulate this opinion. This video was simply the platform upon which I stated that opinion.

[waynescooby]

I feel that the core of Nixon, however complex he was, was very good

[Reggie1971]

Agree 100%.

[CBright7831]

That is true and I think that could be said for many politicians today including (I know people will disagree like hell) Dubya.

[innerrayg]

Nobody in the history of the world has ever -tried- to be the bad guy my friend. Everyone thinks they good, deep deep down.

[waynescooby]

And yet the mark of a man is what others said of him. I'm not Dick Nixon and therefore your point is moot.

[garyokee]

Ya- he was very, very good at lying. Even to himself.

"If the President does it, that means it's not illegal".

[trevormail]

I once looked into Putin's soul, so I'm getting a kick out of your reply, Wayne.

[waynescooby]

Thank you very much indeed

[waynescooby]

You are an idiot.  If you watch the REAL David Frost interview, you will find that the quote used in the play and film, 'Frost/Nixon' was altered and that contextually, he was speaking to the constitutional legality presented by Mr. Frost. It was less of an outright defense of any action or inaction on his part, than a response to the question posed by Mr. Frost.

[mynameisjim93]

Very good point