Impeachment Hearings: House Judiciary Committee, July 25, 1974 (1/2)
Impeachment Hearings: House Judiciary Committee, July 25, 1974 (1/2)
[00.37.51] [applause for NIXON, the moderator takes podium, gestures NIXON to return for a final word] NIXON thanks the four sponsoring groups, mentions that he has spoken to all of the groups at some time or another, and wishes that he could shake hands with all individually. [applause, NIXON sits, the moderator thanks NIXON, applause, NIXON leaves stage, waving to crowd, is escorted out door by S.S. agents--uh, that's S-ecret S-ervice] [00.40.09] [cut to LEHRER in studio] LEHRER describes the speech briefly, promises a summary and commentary after a break [PBS network ID] [00.41.50--in to title screen, shot of judiciary committee members at bench with title "Impeachment Debate"--pullback to LEHRER in studio with title screen projected over shoulder] LEHRER summarizes the President's speech [00.49.19--LEHRER concludes summary--cut to shot of LEHRER and Paul DUKE seated] LEHRER asks DUKE for comments DUKE says that the speech was "Standard Republican Fare", and seemed tailored to a business group, with no spectacular pledges, and general freemarket formalities--tight spending, tight money, etc. Says that NIXON is advocating that inflation is the more severe problem than unemployment. says that many economists feel that raising unemployment is the only possible remedy for some severe inflation, and that NIXON has with this speech implied that he is willing to take such steps. DUKE says that inflation is at 12%, very high for the American economy, and that there is no consensus among economists, most suggesting combination measures, and that the inflation can only be controlled gradually. DUKE describes the President's economic prescription as "Old Time Religion". LEHRER concurs that the speech was to a friendly audience and stressed the free market, and was well, received, and there was no mention of the impeachment, DUKE cuts in to say that NIXON did remark about his budget submissions the next year, implying that NIXON intends to remain in office. LEHRER agrees, and notes that NIXON did not show any signs of strain over the impeachment inquiry. [00.48.11]