Senate Select Committee on Presidential Campaign Activities, June 28, 1973 (1/2)
Senate Select Committee on Presidential Campaign Activities, June 28, 1973 (1/2)
[00.50.22-DEAN discussing meeting with NIXON to give him an AGENDA for dealing with Sen. BAKER, Feb. 1972] I recall that when I first, sent this document in to the President, the draft was not attached. It was, in his Executive Office Building--I don't know if that is where you met with him or not, but I had a call, a frantic call-to get a copy of that draft down to him. Senator BAKER. BAKER. On executive privilege? Mr. DEAN-. On executive privilege. Senator BAKER. Do you know why? Mr. DEAN. . I don't know why. Senator BAKER. Go ahead. Mr. DEAN. I assumed maybe you were meeting with him or it was imminent you were going to be in a meeting with him. Cannot State at this time if such witnesses will be provided to committee. Must wait to determine how the issue develops. A possible resolution of the problem may be that that when the committee believes a White House staff member is essential as a witness, we can compromise and agree upon sworn written interrogatories, that should be instead of interrogation. General Guidance: Seek to get hearings over as quickly as possible because they really are a potential witch hunt. The President can note that hearings of this type damage all Government officials and the institutions of Government. The public wants to believe the worst about all politicians and hearings of this type are going to damage all elected officials. Committee procedures should protect the rights of minority members to information, calling its Own witnesses, notice Of meetings et cetera. Minority counsel should be tough, aware of the Way things Operate in Washington and able to handle a fellow like Sam Dash who has been selected as majority counsel. Dash is a partisan. Communication with White House: Wally Johnson should be initial contact point. but if Baker feels he Wants to raise something that he chooses not to discuss With Wally, then arrangements can be made to meet with Dean. (NOTE: Frankly, the naming of Dean as the man who deals with the President on such matters preserves Our posture on executive privilege, should Dean be called as a witness.) Note at the bottom : Have just learned that Baker has publicly announced the appointment of Fred Thompson as chief minority counsel. Timmons has recommended George Webster as our candidate. Senator BAKER. Just out of curiosity, Mr. Dean, since this agenda was prepared at some length first, did you dictate it? Mr. DEAN. I did and again, this is based on the meeting that occurred at La Costa and the discussions I had with Mr. Haldeman and Ehrlichman. [00.52.35-BAKER gets DEAN to report that BAKER was not cooperative in the way the White House had hoped] Senator BAKER. Can you enlighten us; How much of this agenda was covered at such meeting? Mr. DEAN, I only know what came out, was reported to me by the President and Mr. Haldeman that the thrust of the meeting really was your calling upon the President to--- Senator BAKER. To waive executive privilege? Mr. DEAN [continuing], To waive executive privilege is correct. And I also--the President told me that you agreed that the hearings should be over as soon as possible. If they lingered, it would be damaging. Senator BAKER. It also is your information that there was not a suggestion as to minority counsel which had been announced on the same day. [shot of THOMPSON smoking pipe] Mr. DEAN. Had been announced, that is correct. Senator BAKER. All right, go ahead, Mr. Dean. Mr. DEAN. The next significant document leading up to my meetings that some of these things were discussed on the 27th and 28th was a request again by Mr. Haldeman. Senator BAKER. Do you have an exhibit number? Mr. DEAN. Yes, sir. This is exhibit No. 34-36. And I have a cover note on this. I hand-carried the, other agenda over to Mr. Haldeman, whereas this one there was a little more- time, He had asked me not to send it through normal channels, so there is a cover note on "Memorandum for H.R. Haldeman from John Dean. I did not use the prescribed format because I understand you do not want this to pass into channels." [00.54.09] TALKING POINT FOR MEETING WITH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL. Senator BAKER. I think we just talked out, Mr. Dean. I think that is another rollcall vote. Would the committee like to try to alternate, we are on 10-minute voting cycles, I do not think we can--- Senator TALMADGE. If the chairman desires, I have one or two very brief questions. I think I can complete them in about 5 minutes while you go vote, and when you return I will go vote. Senator BAKER. Does that suit you, Mr. Dean? Mr. DEAN. Whatever pleases the Chair. Senator BAKER. Thank you. [00.54.50] Senator TALMADGE. Mr. Dean, you have been in the chair now for 4 days, and I know how weary you must be, and I will be extremely brief. There are one or two things I would like some clarification on. You have testified repeatedly that even though you were counsel to the President, you had no direct access to the President except going through Mr. Haldeman and Mr. Ehrlichman; is that correct? Mr. DEAN. That is correct. In fact, Senator, I think the documents I have just referred to were talking about direct meetings with the President I am asked to prepare an agenda showing the very pattern that exists in and of itself where I sent everything I did through either Ehrlichman or Haldeman for anything of this nature. [00.55.30]