Brief Response How did Nixon promote a new wave of conservativism? Made it more difficult to stay on welfare Cut back government budget in domestic programs He increased revenue sharing with states without any requirements or regulations.

Watergate: Nixon’s Downfall p. 802

Today’s goal By all reports, Richard Nixon was a shoe-in to win the 1972 election. He was not sure, so his White House team set up a special team to spy on the Democratic Party. They developed lists of press people to watch as well (FBI, IRS) The resulting scandal, called “Watergate” would have guaranteed his impeachment and removal from office, so he resigned in mid-term.

Vocabulary impeachment The beginning of the process for removing a federal government official, like the president, from office. Usually for a crime or illegal act involving government power. The House of Representatives Judiciary Committee recommended that Richard Nixon be impeached on July 25, 1974.

Watergate A scandal centered on the Nixon administration’s attempt to cover up a burglary of the Democratic National Committee (DNC) headquarters at the Watergate office and apartment complex in Washington D.C. Now, any scandal involving the government is subject to being called a “something-gate”, and most people will understand it is a very important scandal.

Watergate story Nixon was assuming “imperial” feelings about himself. His inner staff felt they must protect him and his power from defeat by the Democrats in Not a real possibility. They felt that even breaking the constitution was worth it toward their goal to ensure the next four years for Nixon. – Covering up the Pentagon Papers – Suppressing political/personality Americans against Nixon. – Spying on the Democrats. government harassment, bribes, etc.

H. R. Haldeman Nixon’s fiercely loyal White House Chief-of- Staff.

John Erlichman Nixon’s fiercely loyal Chief Domestic Advisor

John Mitchell Nixon’s fiercely loyal former Attorney General.

Committee to Re-elect the President (CRP), but called “CREEP” by anti-Nixon press and people. Former attorney general, John Mitchell, was its director. It ordered the break-in and planting of wiretaps and listening devices (bugs) in the DNC campaign HQ, in the Watergate Hotel, on June 17, Fortunately, a witness called in and the CRP people were caught in the act…..act Nixon, easily won the election, even with growing news stories about the break-in and suspicions of White House involvement.

John Sirica 1973, presiding judge at the trial of the Watergate burglars. Believed that there was support higher up for their activities. At the time of sentencing, one of the burglars, James McCord, confessed to lying under oath. Hinted that powerful Nixon administration members were involved.

Nixon Tapes A practice in the White House is to record conversations in the presidential office. One presidential aide, Alexander Butterfield, mentioned that Nixon’s conversations about cover-ups and other activities were available on tape. The US Senate wanted those tapes. Nixon refused, citing “executive privilege”

Saturday Night Massacre Nixon’s Attorney General, Elliot Richardson, appointed a special prosecutor, Archibald Cox, to investigate the Watergate case. Nixon hoped Cox would aid in the cover up. – Instead Cox put subpoenas out on the “Nixon Tapes”. Nixon ordered Richardson to fire Cox. – Richardson refused and resigned. – The assistant attorney general did likewise. – Robert Bork, solicitor general, and future Reagan choice for the Supreme Court (failed), did fire Cox. The new prosecutor, Leon Jaworski, was just as adamant as Cox about obtaining the Nixon tapes.

To sum up…… The Watergate Scandal and aftermath…..aftermath…..

Nixon did kind of apologize. David Frost, a British TV journalist, who became a celebrity in his own right, held a four-part interview with Nixon in After many hours, he was surprised and relieved when Nixon said this…..this…..

hwk

p. 803, summarizing The idea that the executive branch had become the most powerful of the three branches of government “imperial presidency”. Acting as a supreme authority, above the constitution.

p. 803, analyzing motives Because of Nixon’s overwhelming fear of losing and the team’s belief that all means should be taken to defeat the Democrats.

p. 804, chronological order Officials shredded documents Attempted to obstruct the investigation Paid the Watergate burglars to remain silent

p. 805, drawing conclusions The tapes of Nixon’s private conversations would provide clear and convincing evidence as to what Nixon knew and when he knew it.

p. 805, summarizing Attorney General Richardson refused to obey Nixon’s order to fire the special prosecutor, Archibald Cox. – Cox had asked him to hand over the secret tapes. Richardson resigned The deputy attorney general also refused to fire Cox. Nixon then turned to solicitor general Robert Bork, who agreed to fire Cox.

p. 806, analyzing political cartoons 1. There was no privacy. All conversations were recorded 2. The White House

The “smoking gun” portion of the Nixon tapes. Haldeman tells Nixon about evidence that is being found by the FBI that will incriminate CRP and the White House. He suggests telling the FBI director to stay out of it, stop the investigation. (illegal). Not only is Nixon fully aware of the activities, but he is offering illegal solutions and getting more from Haldeman.Haldeman

p. 807, 3, hypothesizing Nixon’s public image would not have been as badly damaged Americans might have respected him for his honesty He probably would have lost some of the American people’s trust.

p. 807, 4, analyzing events During the scandal, Nixon abused his power and obstructed justice The crisis centered on the issue of how the nation would handle a president’s alleged criminal misconduct.

Nixon on the Presidency In a CNN interview in 1982, some excerptsexcerpts

p. 807, 5, evaluating Yes There may been other ways of bringing the pertinent information to light No Nixon could have continued to maintain his innocence, and, without proper evidence, he would not have been impeached. His library is south of here in Yorba Linda….. He and his wife, Pat, are buried there.Yorba Linda

Text Work p. 809, 1, analyzing causes

Television shows were becoming more: – Inclusive (race, women) – Urban (reflecting city lifestyle/issues) – Multicultural – Working class Programs were more realistic and addressed social issues. Archie Bunker on: race; gun control; Edith’s change of life; Nixon.Nixon

Brief Response What caused Nixon to overstep his constitutional authority and what was the outcome?

Today’s goal (review) By all reports, Richard Nixon was a shoe-in to win the 1972 election. He was not sure, so his White House team set up a special team to spy on the Democratic Party. They developed lists of press people to watch as well (FBI, IRS) The resulting scandal, called “Watergate” would have guaranteed his impeachment and removal from office, so he resigned in mid-term.