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Snatching Defeat from the Jaws of Victory

Snatching Defeat from the Jaws of Victory. The Watergate Scandal. Is Nixon a Crook?. Nixon, though extremely popular, is still afraid of losing to McGovern (D) in 1972 Break in at DNC headquarters at Watergate Hotel by CREEP to spy on election plans. Nixon Wins. Someone Squeals.

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Snatching Defeat from the Jaws of Victory

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  1. Snatching Defeat from the Jaws of Victory The Watergate Scandal

  2. Is Nixon a Crook? • Nixon, though extremely popular, is still afraid of losing to McGovern (D) in 1972 • Break in at DNC headquarters at Watergate Hotel by CREEP to spy on election plans

  3. Nixon Wins

  4. Someone Squeals • Burglars caught by night watchman • Put on trial in 1973 • Were supposed to stay quiet • James McCord “rats” on the gov’t

  5. The Senate is Called In • TV hearings show growing list of those accusing the administration • Guilt moving up the chain… • Advisors begin to resign (people see how wide-spread the scandal is)

  6. Nixon’s Inner-Sanctum Selling Out • White House counsel John Dean tells the hearings that Nixon authorized the cover-up • Possibly even the burglary

  7. Nixon Denies Involvement • I Am not A Crook

  8. “Deep Throat” Leaks to Reporters • FBI’s number 2 man, Mark Felt, gives information in secret to Washington Post reporters Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward

  9. Washington Post Claims Links Between CREEP and the Watergate Burglars

  10. Only 20% of Americans Believe He’s Innocent

  11. A Second Scandal Piles on the First • VP Spiro Agnew resigns over tax-evasion • Nixon nominates Gerald Ford to be new VP

  12. More Information • Nixon had secret tape recorders in the White House • Many believe these tapes will prove Nixon’s guilt

  13. Nixon Stonewalls • Refuses to hand over tapes, claiming “executive privilege” of confidentiality

  14. The Saturday Night Massacre (one of the few where no one dies) • Oct 1973 – Nixon offers summaries • Cox refuses • President first two Attorney Generals until he gets one to fire Cox (R. Bork) • New Prosecutor, Leon Jaworski, demands tapes

  15. The Inner Circle Goes Down • Nixon on the ropes • March 1974 – Administration officials indicted for conspiracy • Nixon called “un-indicted co-conspirator” • July – US Supreme Court demands tapes

  16. The Smoking Gun • 18.5 minutes of tapes erased • Nixon claims secretary accidentally did it • Even so the tapes prove Nixon conspiracy to cover up Watergate

  17. House Prepares Articles of Impeachment • Charges: • Obstruction of justice • Abuse of Power • Contempt of Congress • Debate lingers on if he ordered the break in but he did cover-up the investigation

  18. Other Deeds Revealed… • CREEP made “enemies list” to use Federal agencies to harass political enemies • Illegally used wire taps to spy on gov’t employees and reporters

  19. Nixon Resigns • 9 August 1974

  20. The Watergate Scandal

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