Impeachment Hearings: House Judiciary Committee, July 29, 1974 (1/2)
Impeachment Hearings: House Judiciary Committee, July 29, 1974 (1/2)
[00.02.03] [in to NPACT logo] [shot Rep. WIGGINS arguing that "ABUSE OF POWER" can't be classified as a "high crimes and misdemeanors" ] [shot Rep. DANIELSON arguing that the offenses are 'uniquely Presidential' and that ordinary criminal laws are irrelevant to the case] [00.03.00] [opening sequence with weird rotating 3-d image of Capitol Dome] [00.03.35] [Jim LEHRER in studio] LEHER introduces the charge pending in the committee as ABUSE OF POWER and Violation of OATH OF OFFICE. there is expected to be a final vote on that article by the end of the night, almost certain to be adopted. [this is after the afternoon's debate has taken place] LEHRER says that the final vote may even swell to 28-10. The vote coming on what has "already been a bad day" for President NIXON. [grim-looking photo of NIXON shown on screen behind LEHRER.] LEHRER says that former Secretary of Treasury Connally was indicted by a grand jury for perjury, bribery, and obstruction of justice for the milk-producers campaign funding affair. Paul DUKE says that it has been all but conceded that IMPEACHMENT will be voted by the full house, with some REPUBLICANS estimating that as many as 60 HOUSE REPUBLICANS (1/3) may vote for IMPEACHMENT, as well as SOUTHERN DEMOCRATS. Notes that SENATE leaders MANSFIELD and SCOTT met today to plan for the TRIAL [00.05.50--Shot JUDICIARY COMMITTEE table, members settling in for hearings] As for the JUDICIARY COMMITTEE, DUKE notes that the Presiden'ts defenders were defeated in efforts to limit the charges agains NIXON. Says that the Pro-NIXON side is "disheartened" to learn that the second article will likely be approved by a wide margin [cut DUKE in studio] Introduces interview by Caroline LEWIS with Rep. HUTCHINSON, the ranking REPUBLICAN on the Committee. [LEWIS standing with microphone next to HUTCHINSON, who wears a very conservative jacket and tie] LEWIS asks how the committee votes bode for the President's chances on the HOUSE FLOOR HUTCHINSON answers that the committee vote was strictly PARTISAN among the DEMOCRATS, with REPUBLICANS divided, which should not reflect the full HOUSE vote. HUTCHINSON claims there will be DEMOCRAT votes for NIXON and REPUBLICAN votes against him. He is not willing to make a prediction, but he says it's likely that the HOUSE will send the matter through to the SENATE for TRIAL. [cut LEHRER in studio--photo of REPUBLICAN HOUSE LEADER John RHODES on screen] LEHRER says that RHODES suggested that the PRESIDENT go on TELEVISION to lay out his defense publicly. This raises the issue of What NIXON can do or has been doing in his own defense. Introduces Chris GAUL to comment. GAUL says that it seems unlikely that NIXON will go on TELEVISION to defend himself at this point, that VP FORD in a statement said that NIXON was best served to leave the defense to lawyers. GAUL adds that it's not necessarily true that FORD speaks for the WHITE HOUSE, but he agrees that it's unlikely NIXON will make a public defense on TV. As to what NIXON can do next, it's not clear how confident NIXON is. GAUL says that among all of the CHARGES against NIXON, stupidity or lack of political savvy has never been one. LEHRER states that it seems the list of NIXON'S options is very short. GAUL notes that it's difficult to separate the WHITE HOUSE'S true actions from it's statements about its actions. For example, the WHITE HOUSE has argued that its staff is not even making a "headcount" of the HOUSE, which seems hard to believe. [00.10.21] [cut to committee room , Chairman RODINO holding gavel] DUKE comments that the meetings might actually start on time for a change. [return DUKE/LEHRER in studio] DUKE introduces guest commentators Jack MURPHY and Stephen HESS. [cut Chairman RODINO] v.o. LEHRER says the night's debate will be over the "HUNGATE Substitution" to the second ARTICLE OF IMPEACHMENT DUKE says that a final vote on the article could come within two hours. (this is the EVENING SESSION) [00.13.00]