Impeachment Hearings: House Judiciary Committee, May 9, 1974
Impeachment Hearings: House Judiciary Committee, May 9, 1974
[00.23.16--start of fade to LEHRER in studio] LEHRER mentions that the TV cameras were turned off, altthough the committee continued in Executiv Session for three more hours. Introduces Paul DUKE, to interview two committee members, BARBARA JORDAN and Rep. McCLORY of Illinois. [Camera tracks over to show 3 in interview] DUKE starts off by asking what happened in the Executive Session JORDAN answers first, saying that there was a presentation of evidence by counsel John DOAR that was not interrupted by questions as per. the rules of the committee, presentation of evidence through notebooks and charts DUKE asks McCLORY what phase of the investigatin was addressed McCLORY says that it was concerned with the Watergate Affair itself, describing the books of information prepared by counsel. Says the first of six subject areas is the Watergate Affair. DUKE stirs the pot by saying "And the Watergate Coverup?" McCLORY looks uncomfortable, says "Well...." JORDAN cuts in, saying emphatically "Yes the watergate coverup", asserts that "everybody knows" that a coverup was part and parcel of the matters the committee is charged with investigating. McCLORY looks anxious for a change of subject. Says he is reluctant to describe in too much detail what "information" was (ostensibly for the purpose of confidentiality of information from the Executive Session) DUKE says that it was DOAR's task just to lay out facts in that hearing JORDAN [in fine form] retorts "Congressman McClory would rather you say 'information' and not say 'FACTS'," asserting that most aspects of the investigation are known facts [i.e. the break-in] and are not in any sort of disupute. McCLORY counters that it is the committee's task to determine what are the FACTS, and that it is premature to declare anything a fact until the process is complete [paraphrase] . Says that the material should be described as "information" just for the purpose of keeping the committee from presuming anything in advance. JORDAN assents to this statement, but notes that it is known that PRESIDENT NIXON made public TRANSCRIPTS of conversations on Watergate-related activities, making it ridiculous for the committee to have to investigate whether there was a COVERUP, because obviously there was one. DUKE seeks to get past the SEMANTICS McCLORY interrupts to say that he merely wanted to lay out what ground had been covered in the hearing, but says that he simply wanted to avoid giving too much information out on TV. DUKE asks if any new learning took place JORDAN says no, the presentation was old news McCLORY says that he did learn a great deal, the detail was illuminating, materials were presented in volume and well. New matters brought to attention that could demand even more investigation. JORDAN agrees. DUKE says that that brings up the point that NIXON, his counsel, and the White House, have declared that they will not surrender any further tapes or transcripts to the committee. Asks if the committee has all of the information that it needs in that vein, and if they will insist on getting more through subpoena or other means. McCLORY says he would prefer to have full White HOuse cooperation, is dismayed that it hasn't come about, that it is a bipartisan investigation, implying that Nixon's noncooperation is a blow to the party. McCLORY attempts to spin it in a positive directin by saying that he is dismayed that NIXON hasn't released evidence which might show favorably on his side in the hearings. JORDAN says the days presentation indicated the presence of many gaps, and it is vital to go after it. Addresses the issue of PARTISANSHIP, saying that it is not necessarily true that the Democrats want information for the purpose of incriminating NIXON, but in order to make an informed judgement. DUKE asks whether a majority of the committee will support new subpoenas to get the materials. JORDAN says yes, citing the 33 to 3 vote to issue the first subpoenas. McCLORY says he would prefer that the information be forthcoming voluntarily, it would be nicer and look better on the President's behalf, but that the committee will likely do whatever is necessary to get the materials it wants. DUKE asks whether another incident of non-cooperation by NIXON could be an ARTICLE OF IMPEACHMENT. JORDAN states it's not proper for her to make a judgement on behalf of the whole committee about the nature of the President's non-compliance, but for her, a pattern of noncompliance could be an impeachable offense if the committee makes it to the point of writing a bill of impeachment. [00.34.23]