Ford and Nixon Discuss How to Respond to Growing Watergate Crisis

FORD: Hello.
NIXON: Just wanted to express my appreciation for your note. Tell you to keep the faith and tell the guys, God damn it, to get off their ass and start fighting back.
FORD: Well, we're going to, Mr. President. And you did a hell of a job last night. And, uh, wasn't any other way I could express it this morning. But you've got a hell of a lot of friends up here, both Republican and Democrat, and don't worry about anyone being sunshine soldiers or summer patriots.
NIXON: Never Jerry Ford.
FORD: Well ...
NIXON: Okay, boy. Just wanted you to know I deeply appreciated the little note, and I saw it, and I was most moved by it.
FORD: Well, any time you want me to do anything under any circumstances ...
NIXON: Right ...
FORD: ... you give me a call, but...
NIXON: You see I had to do what I did. It was the most painful thing I've ever done to take two totally innocent men and sack 'em, but they had to be sacked.
FORD: Yeah. Well, it just made me sit there damn near cry, 'cause I knew the problem it was, and I think both of them have done a good job, despite one of these [unintelligible] damned critics.
NIXON: But it had to be done. And they should have done it themselves, but then I had to do it myself.
FORD: Yeah, well, we'll stand by you, uh ...
NIXON: But, but, but, but, but if you could, get, get a few of the congressmen and senators to speak up and say a word, for Christ sakes. I mean, you've got Percy out saying the special prosecutor, the asshole, he's running for president.
FORD: Sure.
NIXON: Good God, Elliot Richardson is a special prosecutor, you know that.
FORD: That's right.
NIXON: But can't you get a few, Jerry?
FORD: We had about four fellows, uh, Mr. President, who came to me on the floor of the House during [unintelligible] speeches and said that they were going to speak up, and I said, you go ahead and speak up or put it in the record any way you want it. Just get a press release out. And I assume ...
NIXON: That's right.
FORD: Ham Fish was one, and that pleased me.
NIXON: Right.
FORD: Uh, forgotten who the other two were, but there'll be ...
NIXON: That's all right boy.
FORD: ... record and, uh
NIXON: Well, you stand firm, old boy.
FORD: Don't worry ...
NIXON: All right, thank you.
FORD: ... Mr. President.