Impeachment Hearings: House Judiciary Committee, July 24, 1974 (1/2)
Impeachment Hearings: House Judiciary Committee, July 24, 1974 (1/2)
[00.02.01] [in to shot of empty committee room, with police checking committee bench for explosives after BOMB THREAT] LEHRER in v.o. describes the unexpected recess [cut to LEHRER AND DUKE in studio] LEHRER offers a recap of the first seven arguments, refers to Caroline LEWIS for commentary from Capitol Hill. [camera shows LEHRER in studio and LEWIS projected on studio screen] LEWIS says that it was somewhat a surprise that Rep. SMITH did not advocate impeachment, in fact claiming that there was no evidence of any impeachable offense, save the bombing of Cambodia, which was regarded as a side issue. LEWIS notes that SMITH is retiring from Congress and seeks an appointment from the NIXON administration. LEHRER asks LEWIS'S opinion of Rep. McCLORY'S speech, noting that McCLORY as the 2nd ranking REPUBLICAN on the committee represents an important vote. LEWIS says it appears he is leaning toward impeachment on the grounds of obstructing justice and for CONTEMPT of CONGRESS, LEWIS saying that NIXON's angering of Congress may hurt him, may become the most important issue of the proceedings. LEHRER poses the question to both DUKE and LEWIS, whether the degree of eloquence displayed by the committee members reflects the importance and significance of the proceedings DUKE says that the members were fully aware of the intrusion of TELEVISION and the opportunity to grandstand, and also of the historical significance of the proceedings and their importance. DUKE comments that all seemed concerned with STATESMANSHIP and a desire to transcend PARTISANSHIP. DUKE reads an incoming news bulletin quoting House majority leader TIP O'NEILL saying that "Only a miracle can save the President." on an NPR interview, suggesting that the full House vote will be to impeach NIXON. LEHRER asks whether the interview in question took place before or after the Supreme Court decision hostile to the President. LEHRER takes time to introduce the counsels for the benefit of viewers, describing the two men flanking counsel DOAR on screen. On DOAR'S right is Sam GARRISON, the recently hired minority staff counsel, on the left, the former minority counsel, Albert JENNER, now a member of the majority staff under DOAR. [NOTE--LEHRER is looking at the wrong camera when he gives this explanation] [cut to LEWIS, in a wider shot, showing the activity around her of photographers and reporters.] LEWIS comments that the ranking REPUBLICAN, Edward HUTCHINSON, focused more on the political dimension of the hearings than did others, arguing that the impeachment process was a political tactic against the president by DEMOCRATS. Notes that HUTCHINSON's advocacy, as with McCLORY's, for delaying the proceedings to wait for more of the WHITE HOUSE TAPES to be made available, was mild, not forceful, indicating REPUBLICANS have possibly resigned themselves to proceeding immediately. [cut to studio] DUKE asks LEWIS if she thinks that the REPUBLICANS are going to adopt a DELAY tactic to drag out hearings and frustrate DEMOCRATS. LEWIS says it's most likely that REPUBLICANS will work behind the scenes to get NIXON to voluntarily give the committee the tapes, to avoid delay and not give the DEMOCRATS any more ammunition to suggest the president's guilt. Says that there doesn't appear to be a conscious or organized plan to delay the proceedings, even by staunch NIXON supporters. LEHRER introduces Barbara TUCKMAN as a guest commentator. Questions her about Rep. Smith's statement that the impeachment proceeding could affect the nation "for the rest of time". TUCKMAN says that she agrees, insofar as restoring the confidence of the public in government, which she feels has faded, that the authority of government has lost legitimacy, leaving only power, which is not adequate to direct the nation. Says that a great portion of this loss of confidence is partly the direct result of the NIXON administration, wonders aloud how many of NIXON's associates have been in legal trouble. LEHRER says that 18 members of the administratin have been convicted or pled guilty, with 6 more indicted, encompassing White House and CRP personnel. TUCKMAN says that this is very serious, and that it only naturally leads to inferences about NIXON. [00.13.20]