Nixon’s Shadow: The Nixon’s Shadow: The Imperial PresidencyImperial Presidency

I. Introduction: Tricky Dick Nixon I. Introduction: Tricky Dick Nixon

What was the cause of Watergate?What was the cause of Watergate?

Was it Nixon the man or something Was it Nixon the man or something systemic in the Presidency?systemic in the Presidency?

How the question is answered determines How the question is answered determines the implications of the scandalthe implications of the scandal

II. Early Covert OperationsII. Early Covert Operations

A. The Secret Plan and the Secret BombingA. The Secret Plan and the Secret Bombing1968 RN makes a political comeback and 1968 RN makes a political comeback and wins in part because promises a “secret wins in part because promises a “secret plan” to win in Vietnamplan” to win in Vietnam

Scuttled Paris Peace Talks through Kissinger by Scuttled Paris Peace Talks through Kissinger by promising South Vietnam better deal if they hold promising South Vietnam better deal if they hold outout

Plan turns out to be to expand the war to Plan turns out to be to expand the war to Cambodia and LaosCambodia and Laos

Christmas BombingsChristmas Bombings Irony Irony collapse of governments + rise of collapse of governments + rise of

communists (Khmer Rouge) + mass murder + communists (Khmer Rouge) + mass murder + purgespurges

Knew would be protests if word got out: put Knew would be protests if word got out: put up false fronts to hide operationsup false fronts to hide operations

Nixon took responsibility for war on his own Nixon took responsibility for war on his own shoulders: success or failure his personal shoulders: success or failure his personal successsuccess

Enemies of war become his personal enemiesEnemies of war become his personal enemies

1970: 1970: New York TimesNew York Times reports on bombing reports on bombing Nixon and top aides think there is a leakNixon and top aides think there is a leak illegally wire tap those they suspect (irony: illegally wire tap those they suspect (irony: provides the later evidence for Watergate)provides the later evidence for Watergate)

Revelations of Revelations of America’s invasion of America’s invasion of two neutral countriestwo neutral countries Kent State (May 4, Kent State (May 4, 1970)1970)

4 students killed by 4 students killed by National Guard troopsNational Guard troops

Outrage and further Outrage and further distrust of government distrust of government and opposition to the and opposition to the warwar

B. Daniel Ellsberg and the B. Daniel Ellsberg and the PlumbersPlumbers

Not the only leak: even more important is Daniel Ellsberg’s Not the only leak: even more important is Daniel Ellsberg’s leaking of the Pentagon Papers (secret history of Vietnam)leaking of the Pentagon Papers (secret history of Vietnam)

Ellsberg one of authors: appalled by what he found, esp. Ellsberg one of authors: appalled by what he found, esp. Gulf of TonkinGulf of Tonkin

Took it to Took it to New York TimesNew York Times June 1971 June 1971

Even though Papers only ran to 1967 Even though Papers only ran to 1967 (pre-RMN), Nixon outraged(pre-RMN), Nixon outraged wants to wants to destroy Ellsbergdestroy EllsbergPlumbersPlumbers set up to investigate and set up to investigate and punish leakspunish leaksHeaded by Headed by E. Howard HuntE. Howard Hunt (former CIA (former CIA agent) and agent) and G. Gordon LiddyG. Gordon LiddyHired Cubans, fly to LA and break into Hired Cubans, fly to LA and break into psychiatrists office (1psychiatrists office (1stst illegal Plumbers illegal Plumbers activity)activity)Ellsberg was charged with espionageEllsberg was charged with espionage

Acquitted once it turned out what Nixon was Acquitted once it turned out what Nixon was doingdoing

NY Times NY Times v. v. USUS (1971): Supreme Court: (1971): Supreme Court: papers had to be printed; not national papers had to be printed; not national securitysecurity

C. Enemies ListC. Enemies List

Use gov’t agencies to “screw” enemies of Use gov’t agencies to “screw” enemies of the President (esp. IRS)the President (esp. IRS)

Largest category: mediaLargest category: media Nixon believed controlled by Jews out to get Nixon believed controlled by Jews out to get

him (anti-Semite)him (anti-Semite)

Once RN started looking for enemies, Once RN started looking for enemies, found them everywherefound them everywhere

President vs. PresidencyPresident vs. Presidency

Believed a threat to his power was a threat Believed a threat to his power was a threat to America’s power, and so it was legitimate to America’s power, and so it was legitimate to use power against themto use power against themEventually included the entire Democratic Eventually included the entire Democratic PartyPartyInvestigated Investigated Ted KennedyTed Kennedy, , George George WallaceWallace, and esp. , and esp. Edmund MuskieEdmund MuskieHoped Dems would nominate Hoped Dems would nominate George George McGovernMcGovern (weakest opponent: divided (weakest opponent: divided Dems over opposition to war and perceived Dems over opposition to war and perceived “neo-isolationism”; not targeted during “neo-isolationism”; not targeted during primaries)primaries)

III. Sabotage and EspionageIII. Sabotage and Espionage

A.A. The Committee to Reelect the PresidentThe Committee to Reelect the President

(CRP)(CRP)

To fund Plumbers, CRP attempted to extort To fund Plumbers, CRP attempted to extort campaign contributorscampaign contributors

For $ RN would help them (raise price of milk, For $ RN would help them (raise price of milk, drop anti-trust vs. ITT (also involved in Chile))drop anti-trust vs. ITT (also involved in Chile))

$1.8 million from future ambassadors$1.8 million from future ambassadors

CRP very naïve: Pres’ lawyers drew up CRP very naïve: Pres’ lawyers drew up contracts for contributionscontracts for contributions

B. The Muskie SabotageB. The Muskie Sabotage

Liddy hired operatives to infiltrate Dem Liddy hired operatives to infiltrate Dem campaigns in key primary States, esp. targeted campaigns in key primary States, esp. targeted MuskieMuskie Muskie believed it was other DemsMuskie believed it was other Dems

““Canuck Letter”: NH paper publishes letter by Canuck Letter”: NH paper publishes letter by Nixon operative claiming to have seen Muskie Nixon operative claiming to have seen Muskie laugh at a joke involving the term “Canuck” (slur laugh at a joke involving the term “Canuck” (slur for French Canadians)for French Canadians)Muskie responds badly: overemotional during a Muskie responds badly: overemotional during a harangue and criesharangue and cries

Liddy saw himself as “at war” with Dems: Liddy and Liddy saw himself as “at war” with Dems: Liddy and Nixon supported Vietnam war while most Dems wanted Nixon supported Vietnam war while most Dems wanted to end itto end it any means necessary to maintain Nixon and any means necessary to maintain Nixon and war effortwar effort

John Mitchell (Attorney General):John Mitchell (Attorney General): "In my mind, the reelection of Richard Nixon, "In my mind, the reelection of Richard Nixon,

compared to what was on the other side, was so compared to what was on the other side, was so important that I put it in exactly that context [more important that I put it in exactly that context [more important than his legal responsibilities as AG]."important than his legal responsibilities as AG]."

Nixon did not know the specifics but did Nixon did not know the specifics but did know the big pictureknow the big picture

Liddy continues sabotage into general Liddy continues sabotage into general electionelection

C. The Break-In: June 17, 1972C. The Break-In: June 17, 1972

Hunt and Liddy supervise break-in to Hunt and Liddy supervise break-in to Democratic National Committee Democratic National Committee headquarters at the Watergate Hotel headquarters at the Watergate Hotel from across the streetfrom across the streetJames McCord James McCord (head Nixon (head Nixon campaign security) and 4 Cuban-campaign security) and 4 Cuban-AmericansAmericansHad broken in before, but one of Had broken in before, but one of bugs didn’t workbugs didn’t work broke-in again broke-in againBurglars clearly not normal: suits, Burglars clearly not normal: suits, high-tech spy equip., consecutive high-tech spy equip., consecutive $100 bills$100 bills

IV. The Cover-UpIV. The Cover-Up

Hunt and Liddy wanted to ensure no link to Hunt and Liddy wanted to ensure no link to White HouseWhite House

Liddy started shredding papers and even Liddy started shredding papers and even offered to be killed to maintain cover-upoffered to be killed to maintain cover-up

Nixon had to cover-up the burglary to save Nixon had to cover-up the burglary to save himself: investigation would have revealed himself: investigation would have revealed all the other acts of sabotage and sources all the other acts of sabotage and sources of moneyof money

Nixon and Nixon and H. R. H. R. HaldemanHaldeman (Chief of (Chief of Staff) conceive Staff) conceive strategy to have CIA strategy to have CIA tell FBI to stop tell FBI to stop investigation on investigation on grounds of national grounds of national security:security:

Nixon: Nixon: “When you get in these people when you…“When you get in these people when you…get there people in, say: “Look, the problem is get there people in, say: “Look, the problem is that this will open the whole, the whole Bay of that this will open the whole, the whole Bay of Pigs thing, and the President just feels that,” ah, Pigs thing, and the President just feels that,” ah, without going into the details…don’t, don’t lie to without going into the details…don’t, don’t lie to them to the extent to say there is no them to the extent to say there is no involvement, but just say this is sort of a comedy involvement, but just say this is sort of a comedy of errors, bizarre, without getting into it, “the of errors, bizarre, without getting into it, “the President believes that it is going to open the President believes that it is going to open the whole Bay of Pigs thing up again. And, ah whole Bay of Pigs thing up again. And, ah because these people are plugging for, for because these people are plugging for, for keeps and that they should call the FBI and say keeps and that they should call the FBI and say that we wish for the country, don’t go any further that we wish for the country, don’t go any further into this case,” period!”into this case,” period!”

White House issues categorical denials of any White House issues categorical denials of any knowledgeknowledgeOnly the Only the Washington PostWashington Post pursues aggressively, pursues aggressively, and even then only with two minor reporters and even then only with two minor reporters ((Carl Bernstein Carl Bernstein andand Bob Woodward Bob Woodward))

Cover-up succeeded through Nov. Cover-up succeeded through Nov. electionelection despite landslide (60% to RN) despite landslide (60% to RN) Nixon couldn’t feel safeNixon couldn’t feel safe

Grand jury indictments named only Hunt, Grand jury indictments named only Hunt, Liddy, and 5 burglars: acting on their ownLiddy, and 5 burglars: acting on their own

V. The Cover-up UnravelsV. The Cover-up Unravels

A. The McCord LetterA. The McCord LetterDuring trial of 7, prosecutors During trial of 7, prosecutors made breakthroughsmade breakthroughsPresiding judge, Presiding judge, John SiricaJohn Sirica (a (a Republican) stated he believed Republican) stated he believed a larger conspiracya larger conspiracyMcCord breaks under Sirica’s McCord breaks under Sirica’s browbeatingbrowbeating in letter admits to in letter admits to lying, says goes all the way to lying, says goes all the way to the topthe top

B. John DeanB. John Dean

PanicPanic deals for lenience, deals for lenience, more importantly more importantly John DeanJohn Dean (Nixon’s lawyer)(Nixon’s lawyer) Dean could reveal everything, Dean could reveal everything,

including RN’s involvementincluding RN’s involvement

Summer, 1973: Dean testifies Summer, 1973: Dean testifies in televised Congressional in televised Congressional hearingshearings few people believe few people believe himhim

C. Smoking GunC. Smoking GunAnother aide testifies that the way to tell who was Another aide testifies that the way to tell who was telling the truth, Dean or Nixon, was to listen to telling the truth, Dean or Nixon, was to listen to the tapesthe tapes Nixon wanted to 1) write his memoirs and 2) be able to Nixon wanted to 1) write his memoirs and 2) be able to

catch leakscatch leaks

Nixon claims they are his private property Nixon claims they are his private property (executive privilege)(executive privilege)Special prosecutor (Archibold Cox) demands to Special prosecutor (Archibold Cox) demands to have themhave them RN wants to fire him, new AG RN wants to fire him, new AG refuses (Elliott Richardson)refuses (Elliott Richardson) RN fires him RN fires him Deputy AG won’tDeputy AG won’t fires him, #3 guy (Robert fires him, #3 guy (Robert Bork) finally does itBork) finally does itSaturday Night MassacreSaturday Night Massacre: turning point in : turning point in public perceptionpublic perception

Appoints new Special Appoints new Special Prosecutor (Leon Prosecutor (Leon Jaworski), who then Jaworski), who then goes after the tapesgoes after the tapes

US US v. v. Nixon Nixon (July (July 1973): Supreme 1973): Supreme Court unanimously Court unanimously rules that executive rules that executive privilege not absoluteprivilege not absolute

House was about to House was about to pass 3 articles of pass 3 articles of impeachmentimpeachment

Senate was set to Senate was set to convictconvict

Barry GoldwaterBarry Goldwater, , leader of conservatives leader of conservatives in Senate, goes to Nixon in Senate, goes to Nixon to tell him he will loseto tell him he will lose

Aug 12, 1974: Nixon Aug 12, 1974: Nixon resignsresigns

VI. Resignation and SignificanceVI. Resignation and SignificanceStupid, stupid, stupid: probably had little Stupid, stupid, stupid: probably had little impact on election, which Nixon was going impact on election, which Nixon was going to win anywayto win anyway

Deep distrust of government, but also Deep distrust of government, but also anger at media for revealing (esp. among anger at media for revealing (esp. among conservativesconservatives “liberal media”) “liberal media”)

Combination of Nixon’s paranoid, (drugged) Combination of Nixon’s paranoid, (drugged) personality and a pattern in post-war personality and a pattern in post-war Presidency: equation of individual with officePresidency: equation of individual with office

Continues in thinking that opposition to Continues in thinking that opposition to Pres.=opposition to countryPres.=opposition to country

Imperial PresidentImperial President

War Powers Resolution: 60/90 daysWar Powers Resolution: 60/90 days Effect: broadens Pres war powersEffect: broadens Pres war powers

Impoundment: EPA and Clean Water and Impoundment: EPA and Clean Water and Air ActsAir ActsFreedom of Information (1966; 50 years) Freedom of Information (1966; 50 years) and Presidential Records Acts (1978; 12 and Presidential Records Acts (1978; 12 years)years) 2001 Pres. Executive order2001 Pres. Executive order

2001 - 12= ?2001 - 12= ?

Dick Cheney and Energy Committee:Dick Cheney and Energy Committee:"We've seen it in cases like this before, where it's "We've seen it in cases like this before, where it's demanded that presidents cough up and compromise demanded that presidents cough up and compromise on important principles," Mr. Cheney said. As a result, on important principles," Mr. Cheney said. As a result, he said, "we are weaker today as an institution he said, "we are weaker today as an institution because of the unwise compromises that have been because of the unwise compromises that have been made over the last 30 to 35 years."made over the last 30 to 35 years."

““Inherent authority”Inherent authority”Guantanamo Bay prisons + trialsGuantanamo Bay prisons + trialsExtraordinary renditionExtraordinary renditionExecutive privilege + 8 US AttorneysExecutive privilege + 8 US Attorneys

Voter “fraud”Voter “fraud”

““permanent majority”permanent majority”McCain push-polling; Swift Boat VetsMcCain push-polling; Swift Boat Vets