President Nixon’s Downfall Mr. Beckett is a freak!

Today, I want to talk about…

Recap Background steeped in jealousy of rich/powerful folks Political background in all branches of Gov New Federalism Southern Strategy Stagflation Economy (OPEC) Realpolitik, Détente, China, USSR Salt I Treaty

1st. Forrest Gump did not bust RMN

2nd. RMN is paranoid. Enemies List.

Imperial Presidency Executive Branch becomes powerful in the 20th Century. Wars: hot & cold Great Depression Nixon – “a president must not be one of the crowd. People…don’t want him to be down there saying, ‘Look, I’m the same as you.’”

The President’s Men – ooh, la, la Nixon confidents in the oval office HR Haldeman – Chief of Staff John Ehrlichman – Assistant advisor for domestic affairs. John Mitchell – Attorney General John Dean – White House Counsel, later Attorney General These men comprised the “inner circle” of Nixon’s Adm.

Watergate Watergate complex in Washington D.C. Five men broke into Dem. Nat. HQ to plant listening devices and steal docs. 6/1972 Two more men, E. Howard Hunt (former CIA) and G. Gordon Liddy (former FBI) on walkie-talkies to the burglars. Hired by Nixon’s SIU – Special Investigations Unit SIU known as the “Plumbers” b/c they plug leaks to the media and help the Nixon Adm. Group’s leader, James McCord, was a former CIA agent. On the payroll of Pres. Nixon’s reelection committee. Tied to Nixon. CREEP – Committee to Re-Elect the President is Nixon’s slush fund for these types of activities One of the burglars received a $25,000 check from Maurice Stans (Nixon’s chief fundraiser) from the CREEP fund.

Head of CREEP? Attorney General, John Mitchell Controlled a slush fund to pay for a campaign to gather info on the democrats in a massive campaign of political sabotage. Nixon and Haldeman order CIA to order FBI not to investigate. Nice. Slush fund dished out to burglars to keep them quiet

Follow the money Only a handful of reporters out of thousands are writing about Watergate. Bob Woodward, Carl Bernstein worked for the Washington Post Start writing articles linking all the men together – all WH peeps deny accusations “Deep Throat” was their major source on the whole controversy Nixon Re-elected in landslide (Nov. 1972)

Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward Ben Bradlee -- Editor

Cover-up uncovered. Judge John Sirica, judge during burglars’ trials, believes there’s more peeps involved G. Gordon Liddy, E. H. Hunt, deny Few days later, James McCord sends letter to judge saying he lied, powerful members of Nixon’s circle know things. April, 1973, Nixon starts WH investigation (too late), fires John Dean (AG) Appoints Elliot Richardson to Attorney General Richardson hires Archibald Cox as independent counsel

Convictions! Burglars and Howard Hunt (walkie-talkie #1)– plead guilty. James McCord and Libby go to trial and are convicted. FBI investigates, finally, and Haldeman, Ehrlichman, AG Richard Kleindienst, and Dean are fired, arrested, convicted of perjury and obstruction of justice. Getting closer to Nixon!

Senate Involvement Sen. Sam Ervin (NC) heads Sen investigation Starts asking questions to Nixon’s men John Dean – Pres. Nixon knew about the cover-up Alex Butterfield – You know, Pres tapes all conversations in Oval Office Idea! Get the tapes. Battle for tapes ensues

Tapes “dirty tricks”

Saturday Night Massacre Nixon won’t give up tapes, tells AG Richardson to fire Archibald Cox, independent counsel he hired. Richardson says no, resigns Nixon appoints Deputy Attorney General William D. Ruckelshaus, tells him to fire Cox No, resigns Finally, Nixon appoints Solicitor General Robert Bork, to AG. He finally fires Cox Nixon announces he’s “not a crook”.

The end Nixon releases transcripts and tapes…but 18 minutes of tapes have been erased – oops – by secretary Rose Mary Woods, infamously called the “Rose Mary Stretch” House Judiciary Com recommends 3 Articles of Impeachment Nixon resigns August 8, 1974 “Smoking Gun” – Nixon orders CIA to order FBI to stop investigating Watergate matter 6 days after break in. VP Gerald Ford becomes 38th president Pardons Nixon on September 8th, 1974 “Our long national nightmare is over”

Rose Mary Stretch

The Smoking Gun Nixon ordering the FBI to stop investigation.

Impeachment Hearing Nixon Resignation Impeachment Hearing

Bye Dick

Deep Throat Revealed! Former FBI guy Mark Felt is Deep Throat #2 guy at the FBI during the fiasco. Revealed himself in a Vanity Fair article on May 31st, 2005

Frost/Nixon