Watergate and the Downfall of Richard M. Nixon

Overview of Watergate and Nixon's Presidency

• Quiz Coverage: Includes class material of the week and Chapter 15 of "Constructing American" (Quiz number eight next Tuesday).

• Main Topic Introduction: The Watergate scandal leading to the resignation of President Richard Nixon.

Introduction to Richard Nixon

• Campaign Trail: Nixon was the Republican presidential candidate in 1968 and won the election, taking office early in 1969.

• Context of His Presidency: Nixon inherited challenges including:
    - Ongoing war in Southeast Asia (Vietnam War).
    - Significant social and political unrest in America.

• Reelection in 1972: Nixon won reelection, starting his second term, but resigned in 1974 amidst the Watergate scandal.

• Nature of Resignation: He resigned to avoid impeachment, which would have forced him out of office.

• Legacy: Nixon’s accomplishments were overshadowed by his misconduct and the ensuing scandal, marking it as one of the largest constitutional crises since the Civil War.

Nixon’s Role and Misconduct

Nixon’s View of the Presidency

• Inheriting Power: Nixon entered an era where the presidency was seen as a powerful institution, often referred to as the "imperial presidency".
    - Contrast to the late 19th-century view where Congress was considered the most influential branch of government.

• Nixon’s Rhetoric: Analysis of Nixon's speech from the 1968 Republican Convention:
    - He framed America as being in crisis and called for new leadership.
    - His perspective: The President has a unique national mandate, thus he viewed himself as the primary leader responsible for resolving such crises.

• Approach to Governance: Nixon's belief:
    - If institutions fail, they should be reformed or circumvented.
    - This belief led him to adopt a broad interpretation of presidential powers.

• Examples of Presidential Authority:
    - Impoundment: Nixon often refused to spend money appropriated by Congress for programs he opposed.
      - Known as "impoundment" was a controversial assertion of executive authority.
      - Congress eventually passed a law banning impoundment due to Nixon’s frequent actions.
    - Foreign Policy Actions: Nixon ordered secret bombings in Cambodia without Congressional approval:
      - Justified as necessary for military strategy against Vietnamese communists using Cambodian territory.

• Nixon's Post-Presidency Reflection: In an interview, Nixon stated, "When the president does it, that means it is not illegal", revealing his expansive view of executive power and lack of adherence to checks and balances.

Nixon's Psychological Profile

• Childhood Influences: Nixon's upbringing in a lower middle-class family involved strict discipline and a focus on self-reliance:
    - His father’s physical abuse and tough lessons emphasized the importance of ambition and hard work.

• Political Strategy: Nixon was known for his aggressive political tactics, often engaging in personal smear campaigns against opponents:
    - As a result, he cultivated a hostile, paranoid demeanor which influenced his presidency and approach to politics, including creating an "enemies list".

Nixon's Criminal Conduct

The Watergate Scandal

• Formation of the "Plumbers": A special team established to investigate and undermine political enemies:
    - Comprised primarily of former FBI and CIA agents.
    - Engaged in a series of illegal activities, such as breaking into offices and using political espionage.

• The Watergate Break-In: Key event in June 1972 involving the break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters.
    - Timed to gain intelligence on the Democratic strategy ahead of the general election.

• Initial Discovery: A security guard detected suspicious activity, leading to police intervention and the arrest of the five Nazi plumbers.

Nixon's Downfall

• Cover-Up Attempts: Following the break-in, Nixon attempted to cover up the White House's involvement:
    - He instructed aides, including Chief of Staff H.R. Haldeman, to obstruct investigations by redirecting the focus to a CIA matter.

• Consequences of the Scandal: Continued investigations uncovered a broader pattern of misconduct:
    - In 1973, more revelations came to light, further damaging Nixon’s reputation and political career.
    - The involvement of key aides in illegal activities became apparent, leading to heightened scrutiny and pressure from Congress.

• Impeachment Process: By 1974, as evidence mounted, Congress began drafting articles of impeachment against Nixon for:
    - Obstruction of justice.
    - Abuse of power.
    - Contempt of Congress.

• Resignation: Anticipating impeachment, Nixon resigned on August 9, 1974:
    - His letter was notably short and addressed to Henry Kissinger.
    - The resignation marked a significant moment in U.S. political history, highlighting the potential abuses of presidential power.

Post-Presidency and Pardon

• Gerald Ford's Pardon: Ford, who assumed the presidency after Nixon's resignation, pardoned Nixon for any crimes committed while in office.

• Controversy and Justification: Ford argued that:
    - Nixon had suffered enough through his resignation and that a trial would be damaging to national unity.
    - Concerns raised about whether Nixon’s pardon undermined accountability and suggested elite impunity.
    - The scandal fostered a legacy of distrust towards political figures and institutions in America, personified by slogans such as "Don't vote; it only encourages them."

Conclusion and Philosophical Implications

• The Watergate scandal is not merely historical but remains relevant in discussions regarding presidential power:
    - Raises questions about the limits of executive authority and accountability in governance.
    - The implications of Nixon's actions unearth deeper trust issues between citizens and their government, serving as a cautionary tale of the fallibility of political leaders.