Impeachment Hearings: House Judiciary Committee, July 24, 1974 (1/2)
Impeachment Hearings: House Judiciary Committee, July 24, 1974 (1/2)
[00.36.20] [LEHRER notes that Chairman Rodino has taken his seat to reconvene the hearing] [cut to committee room, shot showing center of bench] [DUKE observes that Chairman Rodino has left the room again] [cuts to Caroline LEWIS outside room, interviewing Rep. Trent LOTT, wearing a dorky haircut.] LEWIS asks LOTT what went down in the meeting with Gerald FORD that day. LOTT explains that the meeting is not a partisan one, or a meeting set up by FORD to try to persuade congressmen away from impeaching, but a regular meeting of a social group, to which FORD often attends. LEWIS doesn't buy the story, and rephrases the question, LOTT rephrases his answer Cutting to the chase, LEWIS asks LOTT which way he is leaning on the impeachment question. LOTT says he's trying to keep a low profile and not make premature statements, and declines to comment, saying his vote will be his statement. In response to the next question, LOTT hedges on the question of a delay. but says that eventually the evidence in question will have to be heard [cut back to studio, LEHRER and DUKE seated] LEHRER iintroduces the next speaker, Rep. Charles Sandman (R-NJ) as an ardent supporter of NIXON. DUKE comments that many of the members must not have heard that the BOMB THREAT has been called off. [cut back to studio] DUKE raises the issue of Vice-President FORD, whether he is on the case on NIXON'S behalf, and starts to discuss a phone call made by FORD, [cut to committee room, as RODINO gavels meeting to order. The microphones are picking up several civil but adversarial conversations among the members] [voiceover LEHRER talks about RODINO in order to fill time before the first speech] Says that RODINO has not quite joined the ranks of Watergate celebrities like Sam ERVIN, but LEHRER mentions that RODINO is an amateur poet and a lover of Italian opera. [00.41.44--GAVEL] LEHRER v.o. notes there are still some empty chairs on the bench