NIXON AND VIETNAMNIXON AND VIETNAM

OBJ: Explore Richard Nixon’s policies regarding the war OBJ: Explore Richard Nixon’s policies regarding the war in Vietnam and their impact at home.in Vietnam and their impact at home.

What do you know about Nixon and/or his presidency?What do you know about Nixon and/or his presidency?

Nixon – Key terms/EventsNixon – Key terms/Eventsi.e. stuff I’ll ask you about on the questi.e. stuff I’ll ask you about on the quest

Peace with HonorPeace with HonorVietnamizationVietnamizationDetenteDetenteSilent MajoritySilent MajorityBombing Cambodia/Kent StateBombing Cambodia/Kent StatePentagon PapersPentagon PapersMy LaiMy LaiChristmas BombingChristmas BombingDecent IntervalDecent IntervalWatergateWatergate

““Goal: PEACE WITH HONOR”Goal: PEACE WITH HONOR”Peace talks in ParisPeace talks in Paris Le Duc Tho and Henry KissingerLe Duc Tho and Henry Kissinger US demand that SV gov’t remainUS demand that SV gov’t remain

Massive bombing of NV, Laos, CambodiaMassive bombing of NV, Laos, CambodiaIs this expanding the war or helping end it? Is it costing Is this expanding the war or helping end it? Is it costing or saving American lives? Is it peace? Is it honorable?or saving American lives? Is it peace? Is it honorable?

Madman Theory – “I call it the madman theory, Bob. I want the Madman Theory – “I call it the madman theory, Bob. I want the NV to believe I’ve reached the point where I might do NV to believe I’ve reached the point where I might do anythinganything to stop the war. We’ll just slip the word to them that to stop the war. We’ll just slip the word to them that ‘for God’s sake, you know Nixon is obsessed about ‘for God’s sake, you know Nixon is obsessed about Communists. We can’t restrain him when he’s angry – and Communists. We can’t restrain him when he’s angry – and he has his hand on the nuclear button…’ and Ho Chi Minh he has his hand on the nuclear button…’ and Ho Chi Minh himself will be in Paris in two days begging for peace.” Nixonhimself will be in Paris in two days begging for peace.” Nixon

Method: “VIETNAMIZATION”Method: “VIETNAMIZATION”

Aug ’69 – 25,000 troops come homeAug ’69 – 25,000 troops come home

Reduction of levels from ½ mill to 25,000 Reduction of levels from ½ mill to 25,000 by ’72by ’72

Increase training of SV to turn it back into Increase training of SV to turn it back into a SV war (Relate to Iraqificationa SV war (Relate to Iraqificationtmtm))

Bomb like crazy!! “I refuse to believe that a Bomb like crazy!! “I refuse to believe that a fourth rate power like NV doesn’t have a fourth rate power like NV doesn’t have a breaking point.”breaking point.”

Method: Détente – The 8Method: Détente – The 8thth Grade DanceGrade Dance

3 way diplomacy with USSR and China3 way diplomacy with USSR and China

USSR wants disarmament treatyUSSR wants disarmament treaty

China wants $$ ties with USChina wants $$ ties with US

US wants commies to pressure HoUS wants commies to pressure Ho

Who supports Nixon: “SILENT Who supports Nixon: “SILENT MAJORITY”MAJORITY”

Nov ’69 speech in Nov ’69 speech in response to Moratoriumsresponse to Moratoriums

Patriotic Ams who quietly Patriotic Ams who quietly support Nixonsupport Nixon

And so tonight -- to you, the great silent majority of my fellow Americans -- I ask for your support.

I pledged in my campaign for the presidency to end the war in a way that we could win the peace. I have initiated a plan of action which will enable me to keep that pledge.

The more support I can have from the American people, the sooner that pledge can be redeemed; for the more divided we are at home, the less likely the enemy is to negotiate at Paris.

Let us be united for peace. Let us also be united against defeat. Because let us understand: North Vietnam cannot defeat or humiliate the United States. Only Americans can do that. …

CAMBODIACAMBODIA

Antiwar activity splintering in ’69 and ’70Antiwar activity splintering in ’69 and ’70

Apr 30, 1970 – Nixon announces we’ve been Apr 30, 1970 – Nixon announces we’ve been bombing/invading Cambodiabombing/invading Cambodia

14 months, 3600 raids, 100,000 tons of 14 months, 3600 raids, 100,000 tons of bombs, troops across the borderbombs, troops across the border ““If when the chips are down, the world’s most If when the chips are down, the world’s most

powerful nation acts like a pitiful, helpless giant, powerful nation acts like a pitiful, helpless giant, the forces of totalitarianism and anarchy will the forces of totalitarianism and anarchy will threaten free nations throughout the world.”threaten free nations throughout the world.”

KENT STATEKENT STATE

May 4, 1970 – Ohio National Guard kills 4/wounds 13 following riots in Kent and an attempt to burn the ROTC building

PENTAGON PAPERSPENTAGON PAPERSJune 1971 – Daniel Ellsberg: leaker of the PPJune 1971 – Daniel Ellsberg: leaker of the PP

7000 pages of classified docs7000 pages of classified docs

NIXON TAPES: Nixon Learns of Pentagon Papers Leak (Haig)

The New York Times v. United StatesThe New York Times v. United States TimesTimes wins the right to print the papers wins the right to print the papers

PENTAGON PAPERSPENTAGON PAPERS

June 14, 1971: Nixon and Alexander Haig, Oval OfficeJune 14, 1971: Nixon and Alexander Haig, Oval OfficeConversation #519-7 Conversation #519-7 NixonNixon: Now this fella, Ellsberg, or whatever his name : Now this fella, Ellsberg, or whatever his name is - is -

HaigHaig: Ellsberg. : Ellsberg. NixonNixon: Ellsberg. I've never heard of him. : Ellsberg. I've never heard of him.   June 15, 1971: Nixon and Haldeman, 9:56-10:37 A.M., Oval OfficeJune 15, 1971: Nixon and Haldeman, 9:56-10:37 A.M., Oval Office

Conversation #520-3; cassette #754 Conversation #520-3; cassette #754 NixonNixon: My point is, Bob, my point is, we have got - we have here now - this, : My point is, Bob, my point is, we have got - we have here now - this,

this is a very bad situation. This guy is a radical that did it, a radical, we this is a very bad situation. This guy is a radical that did it, a radical, we think. think.

HaldemanHaldeman: [unclear] Ellsberg. : [unclear] Ellsberg. NixonNixon: We don't know who did it, but maybe it's him. Or maybe it's Gelb - one : We don't know who did it, but maybe it's him. Or maybe it's Gelb - one

of the two. Either is a radical. So he takes those papers - Goddamn it. . . . of the two. Either is a radical. So he takes those papers - Goddamn it. . . . Somebody has got to go to jail [pounding desk]. Somebody's got to go to Somebody has got to go to jail [pounding desk]. Somebody's got to go to jail, that's all there is to it. Our people here can't just [unclear] anything jail, that's all there is to it. Our people here can't just [unclear] anything about the war. . . . You've got to fight it. about the war. . . . You've got to fight it.

PENTAGON PAPERSPENTAGON PAPERS

June 15, 1971: Nixon, Mitchell, and Ziegler, 3:45 P.M., Oval OfficeJune 15, 1971: Nixon, Mitchell, and Ziegler, 3:45 P.M., Oval OfficeConversation #521-9 Conversation #521-9

NixonNixon: Incidentally, could you - can you haul in that son-of-a-bitch Ellsberg right : Incidentally, could you - can you haul in that son-of-a-bitch Ellsberg right away? away?

MitchellMitchell: Ellsberg.: Ellsberg.NixonNixon: [sarcastically] : [sarcastically] EllsteinEllstein . . . Well, we don't know, it's either Ellstein or . . . Well, we don't know, it's either Ellstein or

Halperin or Gelb. All three of them had access to the papers. Halperin or Gelb. All three of them had access to the papers.

June 15, 1971: Nixon and Kissinger, Oval OfficeJune 15, 1971: Nixon and Kissinger, Oval OfficeConversation #521-13 Conversation #521-13

NixonNixon: Henry, there's a conspiracy. You understand? : Henry, there's a conspiracy. You understand? KissingerKissinger: I believe it now. I didn't believe it formerly, but I believe it now. : I believe it now. I didn't believe it formerly, but I believe it now. NixonNixon: There is. Whether it's Gelb or the Rand Corporation guy, he's in a : There is. Whether it's Gelb or the Rand Corporation guy, he's in a

conspiracyconspiracy

June 17, 1971: Nixon, Haldeman, and Ronald Ziegler, 2:42-3:33 P.M., Oval OfficeJune 17, 1971: Nixon, Haldeman, and Ronald Ziegler, 2:42-3:33 P.M., Oval OfficeConversation #524-7; cassette #775 Conversation #524-7; cassette #775

NixonNixon: We can kill these people with this. "Knowingly publishing stolen goods." That's : We can kill these people with this. "Knowingly publishing stolen goods." That's what the what the TimesTimes is doing. "Knowingly publishing stolen goods." "Giving aid and is doing. "Knowingly publishing stolen goods." "Giving aid and comfort to the enemy." That's the way you have to play it. "Giving aid and comfort to comfort to the enemy." That's the way you have to play it. "Giving aid and comfort to the enemy." That's the way you have to play it. "No cause justifies breaking the law" the enemy." That's the way you have to play it. "No cause justifies breaking the law"

HaldemanHaldeman: Rogers is concerned that. . . . it's interfering with the judicial process. : Rogers is concerned that. . . . it's interfering with the judicial process. NixonNixon: Oh, for Christsakes. . . . A statement by Rogers is not going to affect the judicial : Oh, for Christsakes. . . . A statement by Rogers is not going to affect the judicial

process. . . . Don't try to get this past Ehrlichman and the lawyers - the one on "stolen process. . . . Don't try to get this past Ehrlichman and the lawyers - the one on "stolen goods". . . . Everything we do around here is done in such a mamby- pamby jackass goods". . . . Everything we do around here is done in such a mamby- pamby jackass way, we aren't getting anything across. way, we aren't getting anything across.

NixonNixon: . . . . an opportunity here now, a real opportunity. [unclear] They did this for the : . . . . an opportunity here now, a real opportunity. [unclear] They did this for the purpose of hurting the nat - hurting us of course and hurting the nation. Now they're purpose of hurting the nat - hurting us of course and hurting the nation. Now they're [the [the New York TimesNew York Times] going to pay. As far as I'm concerned, I will make them ] going to pay. As far as I'm concerned, I will make them personally pay as long as I am in this office.personally pay as long as I am in this office.

NixonNixon: . . . . put some - the fear of God into other people in this government. : . . . . put some - the fear of God into other people in this government. NixonNixon: I hope to God - he's not Jewish is he? : I hope to God - he's not Jewish is he? ZieglerZiegler: [Laughing] I'm sure he is - Ellsberg? : [Laughing] I'm sure he is - Ellsberg? NixonNixon: I hope not, I hope not. : I hope not, I hope not. HaldemanHaldeman: [unclear] is Jewish. Why the hell wouldn't he be? : [unclear] is Jewish. Why the hell wouldn't he be? NixonNixon: Oh yeah, I know, I know, I know, but it's, it's, it's, it's a bad thing for us. It's a bad : Oh yeah, I know, I know, I know, but it's, it's, it's, it's a bad thing for us. It's a bad

thing for us. It's a bad thing. Maybe we'll be lucky for once. Many Jews in the thing for us. It's a bad thing. Maybe we'll be lucky for once. Many Jews in the Communist conspiracy. . . . Chambers and Hiss were the only non-Jews. . . . Many Communist conspiracy. . . . Chambers and Hiss were the only non-Jews. . . . Many thought that Hiss was. He could have been a half. . . . Every other one was a Jew - thought that Hiss was. He could have been a half. . . . Every other one was a Jew - and it raised hell for us. But in this case, I hope to God he's not a Jew. and it raised hell for us. But in this case, I hope to God he's not a Jew.

HaldemanHaldeman: [Laughing] Well, I suspect he is. : [Laughing] Well, I suspect he is. NixonNixon: You can't tell by the name. : You can't tell by the name. HaldemanHaldeman: Or Halperin. . . . Gelb is - : Or Halperin. . . . Gelb is - NixonNixon: Gelb's a Jew. : Gelb's a Jew.

Paris Peace AgreementParis Peace Agreement

NV worried during 1972 détente NV worried during 1972 détente

Easter Offensive launched against Easter Offensive launched against SVSV

ARVN on the run; Operation ARVN on the run; Operation Linebacker saves SV Linebacker saves SV ““The bastards have never been The bastards have never been

bombed like they’re going to be bombed like they’re going to be bombed this time.”bombed this time.”

USSR and Chinese don’t go nuts, USSR and Chinese don’t go nuts, but pressure NV to settlebut pressure NV to settle

Paris Peace AgreementParis Peace AgreementOct 31, 1972 Nixon announces we have a Oct 31, 1972 Nixon announces we have a deal (Le Duc Tho and Kissinger)deal (Le Duc Tho and Kissinger) Cease fireCease fire Return POWsReturn POWs Withdraw all US forces from SVWithdraw all US forces from SV We can still $upport SVWe can still $upport SV Coalition SV gov’t sets up Coalition SV gov’t sets up elections/reunificationelections/reunification US contribute to NV US contribute to NV reconstruction ($$)reconstruction ($$) (Operation Enhance)(Operation Enhance)

Paris Peace AgreementParis Peace Agreement

Nixon squeaks past George McGovern!Nixon squeaks past George McGovern!

Paris Peace AgreementParis Peace Agreement

Nov 14, 1972 – Thieu is upset, so the Nov 14, 1972 – Thieu is upset, so the deal’s offdeal’s offUS adds 69 amendments to treatyUS adds 69 amendments to treaty NV must withdraw above 17NV must withdraw above 17thth

NV is like, “WTH dude!” NV is like, “WTH dude!” Both sides go home w/o a deal on Dec 13Both sides go home w/o a deal on Dec 13

Linebacker II (Xmas bombing)Linebacker II (Xmas bombing) ““I don’t want any of this crap about the fact that I don’t want any of this crap about the fact that

we couldn’t hit this target or that one. This is we couldn’t hit this target or that one. This is your chance to use military power effectively to your chance to use military power effectively to winwin the war, and if you don’t, I’ll consider you the war, and if you don’t, I’ll consider you responsible.” (underline added by me)responsible.” (underline added by me)

15 B-52s shot down over a 10 day period

(18 total shot down during the entire war)

Paris Peace Agreement…FinallyParis Peace Agreement…Finally

January 1973January 1973

If you want to know what the agreement If you want to know what the agreement was, check your notes from Oct 1972…it’s was, check your notes from Oct 1972…it’s basically the same one!!!basically the same one!!!

““Decent Interval”Decent Interval”

Nixon’s Public Goals:Nixon’s Public Goals:• Peace with HonorPeace with Honor• Bring American Troops homeBring American Troops home• Return of American POWsReturn of American POWs• Support President Thieu and VP Ky (SV)Support President Thieu and VP Ky (SV)

Nixon’s Private Goals:Nixon’s Private Goals:• Win re-electionWin re-election• Maintain U.S. credibility as an anti-communist Maintain U.S. credibility as an anti-communist

forceforce• Allow SV to stand up for a short period of time Allow SV to stand up for a short period of time

before being overrun by NVbefore being overrun by NV

““DECENT INTERVAL”DECENT INTERVAL”

Delay South Delay South Vietnam’s collapse for Vietnam’s collapse for a long enough period a long enough period after Nixon withdrew after Nixon withdrew so that its defeat so that its defeat would not appear to would not appear to be Nixon’s fault. be Nixon’s fault. (Nixon and Kissinger (Nixon and Kissinger deny this.) deny this.)

August 3, 1972 Taped ConversationAugust 3, 1972 Taped Conversation

Nixon: Nixon: "South Vietnam probably can never even survive anyway. We also have to realize, "South Vietnam probably can never even survive anyway. We also have to realize, Henry, that winning an election is terribly important. It's terribly important this year, but Henry, that winning an election is terribly important. It's terribly important this year, but can we have a viable foreign policy if a year from now or two years from now, Northcan we have a viable foreign policy if a year from now or two years from now, NorthVietnam gobbles up South Vietnam? That's the real question."Vietnam gobbles up South Vietnam? That's the real question."

Kissinger:Kissinger:"If a year or two years from now North Vietnam gobbles up South Vietnam, we can have"If a year or two years from now North Vietnam gobbles up South Vietnam, we can havea viable foreign policy if it looks as if it's the result of South Vietnamese incompetence. a viable foreign policy if it looks as if it's the result of South Vietnamese incompetence. But it will worry everybody. And domestically in the long run it won't help us all that much But it will worry everybody. And domestically in the long run it won't help us all that much because our opponents will say we should've done it three years ago." because our opponents will say we should've done it three years ago."

Nixon:Nixon:"I know.”"I know.” Kissinger:Kissinger:"So we've got to find some formula that holds the thing together a year or two, "So we've got to find some formula that holds the thing together a year or two, after which after a year, Mr. President, Vietnam will be a backwater. If we settle it, say, after which after a year, Mr. President, Vietnam will be a backwater. If we settle it, say, this October, by January '74 no one will give a damn."this October, by January '74 no one will give a damn."

““DECENT INTERVAL”DECENT INTERVAL”

Jeff Kimball’s (LSU) research led to finding a Jeff Kimball’s (LSU) research led to finding a handwritten note by Kissinger in the briefing handwritten note by Kissinger in the briefing book for his 1971 secret trip to China. book for his 1971 secret trip to China. “ “On behalf of President Nixon I want to assure On behalf of President Nixon I want to assure the Prime Minister [Zhou Enlai] solemnly that the the Prime Minister [Zhou Enlai] solemnly that the United States is prepared to make a settlement United States is prepared to make a settlement that will truly leave the political evolution of that will truly leave the political evolution of Vietnam to the Vietnamese alone. We are ready Vietnam to the Vietnamese alone. We are ready to withdraw all of our forces by a fixed date and to withdraw all of our forces by a fixed date and let objective realities shape the political future.” let objective realities shape the political future.” Next to it, Kissinger wrote, “We need a decent Next to it, Kissinger wrote, “We need a decent interval. You have our assurance.” interval. You have our assurance.”

““DECENT INTERVAL”DECENT INTERVAL”

““If after you withdraw and the prisoners of war are repatriated,” Zhou If after you withdraw and the prisoners of war are repatriated,” Zhou asked Kissinger on June 20, 1972, “if after that, civil war again asked Kissinger on June 20, 1972, “if after that, civil war again breaks out in Vietnam, what will you do? It will probably be difficult breaks out in Vietnam, what will you do? It will probably be difficult for you to answer that.” for you to answer that.” ““It is difficult for me to answer,” Kissinger replied, “partly because I It is difficult for me to answer,” Kissinger replied, “partly because I don’t want to give encouragement for this to happen. But let me don’t want to give encouragement for this to happen. But let me answer it according to my best judgment. For example, if our May 8 answer it according to my best judgment. For example, if our May 8 proposal were accepted, which has a four-month withdrawal and proposal were accepted, which has a four-month withdrawal and four months for exchange of prisoners, if in the fifth month the war four months for exchange of prisoners, if in the fifth month the war starts again, it is quite possible we would say this was just a trick to starts again, it is quite possible we would say this was just a trick to get us out and we cannot accept this. If the North Vietnamese, on get us out and we cannot accept this. If the North Vietnamese, on the other hand, engage in a serious negotiation with the South the other hand, engage in a serious negotiation with the South Vietnamese, and if after a longer period it starts again after we were Vietnamese, and if after a longer period it starts again after we were all disengaged, my personal judgment is that it is much less likely all disengaged, my personal judgment is that it is much less likely that we will go back again, that we will go back again, muchmuch less likely.” (Underlined in the less likely.” (Underlined in the original.) Jeff Kimball, original.) Jeff Kimball, The Vietnam FilesThe Vietnam Files

Meanwhile…War Powers ActMeanwhile…War Powers Act

MY LAIMY LAI

Massacre of SV civilians by US troopsMassacre of SV civilians by US troops Occurred in ’68/ story broke in Nov ’69Occurred in ’68/ story broke in Nov ’69 Lt. William Calley leading US forcesLt. William Calley leading US forces ““We huddled them up. I poured about four We huddled them up. I poured about four

clips into the group….The mothers was clips into the group….The mothers was hugging their children….Well, we kept right on hugging their children….Well, we kept right on firing.” Pvt Paul Meadlofiring.” Pvt Paul Meadlo

Following orders? Who’s at fault?Following orders? Who’s at fault?

WATERGATEWATERGATE

Setting the StageSetting the StageJune 13, 1971:June 13, 1971: The NY TimesThe NY Times begins publishing the begins publishing the Pentagon Papers;Pentagon Papers;The Washington PostThe Washington Post will begin will begin publishing the papers later in the week. publishing the papers later in the week. September 9, 1971:September 9, 1971: The White House "plumbers" unit The White House "plumbers" unit burglarizes a psychiatrist's office to find files on burglarizes a psychiatrist's office to find files on Daniel Daniel EllsbergEllsberg, the leaker of the PP, the leaker of the PP

JOHN D. EHRLICHMAN approved a recommendation for a covert investigation of Daniel Ellsberg in 1971 by writing on a memo: "If done under your assurance that it is not traceable."

Burglary – June 17, 1972Burglary – June 17, 1972Burglars: [Bernard L. Barker,Burglars: [Bernard L. Barker, Virgilio R. Gonzales, James W. Virgilio R. Gonzales, James W. McCord, Eugenio R. Martinez, Frank A. Sturgis]McCord, Eugenio R. Martinez, Frank A. Sturgis]

Former CIA/FBI guys, Cuban exilesFormer CIA/FBI guys, Cuban exiles

Planners: Planners:

G. Gordon LiddyG. Gordon Liddy - counsel to the Finance Committee to Re-elect the - counsel to the Finance Committee to Re-elect the President (CReEP), a former FBI agentPresident (CReEP), a former FBI agent

E Howard Hunt Jr.E Howard Hunt Jr. - former White House consultant and CIA - former White House consultant and CIA employee. employee.

Uh-ohUh-ohAtty General John Mitchell (also head of Atty General John Mitchell (also head of CReEP) controls $$ to help re-electionCReEP) controls $$ to help re-election

8/1/72 $25,000 ends up in bank acct of burglar8/1/72 $25,000 ends up in bank acct of burglar

10/2/72 – FBI says break in is part of larger 10/2/72 – FBI says break in is part of larger political sabotage operationpolitical sabotage operation

Deep Throat and Deep Throat and The Washington PostThe Washington Post

Bob Woodward, Carl Bernstein pursue storyBob Woodward, Carl Bernstein pursue storyUnidentified source known as Deep Throat Unidentified source known as Deep Throat

(FBI #2 Mark Felt) feeding them tidbits(FBI #2 Mark Felt) feeding them tidbits

Uh-oh continuedUh-oh continuedSmoking gunSmoking gun tape – 6/23/72 tape – 6/23/72 Nixon, Haldeman discuss telling CIA to tell FBI to lay off Nixon, Haldeman discuss telling CIA to tell FBI to lay off

"...call the FBI and say that we wish, for the country, don't go any further "...call the FBI and say that we wish, for the country, don't go any further

into this case, period..."into this case, period..."

Cancer in the presidencyCancer in the presidency tape – 3/21/73 tape – 3/21/73 Dean/Nixon talk about $$ to keeping people quiet Dean/Nixon talk about $$ to keeping people quiet ““We could get that. On the money, if you need the money you could get We could get that. On the money, if you need the money you could get

that. You could get a million dollars. You could get it in cash. I know where it that. You could get a million dollars. You could get it in cash. I know where it could be gotten. It is not easy, but it could be done. But the question is, could be gotten. It is not easy, but it could be done. But the question is,

Who would handle it? Any ideas on that?"Who would handle it? Any ideas on that?"

VP Spiro Agnew resigns – 10/10/73VP Spiro Agnew resigns – 10/10/73Saturday Night Massacre – 10/21/73Saturday Night Massacre – 10/21/73

Uh-oh…even worseUh-oh…even worseThe Senate InvestigatesThe Senate Investigates

During trial of burglars, they are pressured to lie by White House counsel John Dean and Atty Gen John Mitchell

Top Nixon advisors HR Haldeman and John Erlichman implicated in cover up

Dean testifies for prosecution – discussed cover up “at least 35 times” with Nixon; there’s a White House taping system

Give us the tapes. NO! Court forces Nixon to hand them over….18 ½ minutes of silence???

Resignation August 8, 1974Resignation August 8, 1974““In all the decisions I have made in my public life, I have In all the decisions I have made in my public life, I have always tried to do what was best for the Nation. Throughout always tried to do what was best for the Nation. Throughout the long and difficult period of Watergate, I have felt it was the long and difficult period of Watergate, I have felt it was my duty to persevere, to make every possible effort to my duty to persevere, to make every possible effort to complete the term of office to which you elected me…. complete the term of office to which you elected me….

In the past few days, however, it has become evident to me In the past few days, however, it has become evident to me that I no longer have a strong enough political base in the that I no longer have a strong enough political base in the Congress to justify continuing that effort. As long as there Congress to justify continuing that effort. As long as there was such a base, I felt strongly that it was necessary to see was such a base, I felt strongly that it was necessary to see the constitutional process through to its conclusion, that to the constitutional process through to its conclusion, that to do otherwise would be unfaithful to the spirit of that do otherwise would be unfaithful to the spirit of that deliberately difficult process and a dangerously destabilizing deliberately difficult process and a dangerously destabilizing precedent for the future….precedent for the future….

I have never been a quitter. To leave office before my term I have never been a quitter. To leave office before my term is completed is abhorrent to every instinct in my body. But as is completed is abhorrent to every instinct in my body. But as President, I must put the interest of America President, I must put the interest of America first….Therefore, I shall resign the Presidency effective at first….Therefore, I shall resign the Presidency effective at noon tomorrow. Vice President Ford will be sworn in as noon tomorrow. Vice President Ford will be sworn in as President at that hour in this office.”President at that hour in this office.”

Gerald FordGerald Ford

How should Nixon be remembered?How should Nixon be remembered?