Watergate Hearings: Senate Select Committee on Presidential Campaign Activities June 26, 1973 - Testimony of John Dean.
Watergate Hearings: Senate Select Committee on Presidential Campaign Activities June 26, 1973 - Testimony of John Dean.
Watergate Hearings: Senate Select Committee on Presidential Campaign Activities June 26, 1973 - Testimony of John Dean.
Watergate Hearings: Senate Select Committee on Presidential Campaign Activities June 26, 1973 - Testimony of John Dean.
Senator Joseph Montoya (D New Mexico). Let us go into Mr. Ziegler's press statements. On June the 20th, 1972, he made this statement which appeared in the Washington Post. He told reporters in Florida, who were with the President that he would not comment on a third-rate burglary attempt. Now would you agree with me that that was not a third-rate burglary attempt? John Dean. I would agree it was not a third-rate burglary attempt and I have no idea what the source of this story was. Senator Joseph Montoya (D New Mexico). How would you characterize the Watergate burglary? John Dean. That s a very very it s probably the most difficult question that has been asked yet. I guess I d have to say that it was probably the opening act of one of America's great tragedies. Senator Joseph Montoya (D New Mexico). You answered it very well.
Watergate Hearings: Senate Select Committee on Presidential Campaign Activities June 26, 1973 - Testimony of John Dean.
Senator Joseph Montoya (D New Mexico) Now, on October 17th, 1972 Mr. Ziegler's statement appeared in the New York Times. He told reporters as follows, It goes without saying that this administration does not condone sabotage or espionage or the surveillance of individuals or source stories that make broad, sweeping charges about the character of individuals. He, also said, I am not going to comment on stories based on hearsay or where innuendo or character assassination is involved. I am not going to dignify that with a comment. Now, would you say that the administration was engaged in techniques such as were condemned in this statement by Mr. Ziegler at the time and during the campaign of 1972? John Dean. I would say that these things did occur. I would also say, as I believe I mentioned in an earlier question with Mr. Thompson that the degree of Mr. Ziegler's briefing varied. At times, he was told enough that he could handle the story. I also believe I testified that I thought it would probably take me another 200 pages of testimony to explain all those briefings I have not had an opportunity to go through all of Ziegler's briefings to determine, for example I could I could spot very easily which briefing I helped him on and which I didn't. But I haven't done that, Senator.
Watergate Hearings: Senate Select Committee on Presidential Campaign Activities June 26, 1973 - Testimony of John Dean.
Senator Joseph Montoya (D New Mexico). Then do I understand you to say that, there are briefing papers for every press conference by Mr. Ziegler and for every press conference by the President available at the White House? John Dean. Yes, sir. Every time Mr. Ziegler gives a briefing it is recorded by a court reporter type of situation and that is kept in record form and those are distributed to various members of the White House staff. But again, I have not had access to get back to these. Senator Joseph Montoya (D New Mexico). Mr. Chairman, I would like to ask you and counsel to subpoena these briefings, the briefing papers, so that they will become available to this committee. Samuel Dash, attorney. Yes. Senator Montoya, we are in the process of getting them.