Senate Select Committee on Presidential Campaign Activities, July 10, 1973
Senate Select Committee on Presidential Campaign Activities, July 10, 1973
[00.15.14-committee table, Sen. ERVIN, Sam DASH, committee staff] Senator ERVIN. Senator Talmadge. Senator TALMADGE. Mr. Mitchell, in your testimony you have repeatedly referred to "White House horrors." What do you mean by that phrase? Mr. MITCHELL. Well, as we have discussed them here, Senator, they certainly involved the break-in of Dr. Ellsberg's doctor, I think we had better put it instead of the other phrase that is used, the Dita Beard matter, both with respect, to, apparently the removal of her from the scene is 'Well as visits or attempted visits. We are talking about the Diem cables: we are talking about the alleged extracurricular activities in the bugging area, the bombing, purported bombing of the Brookings Institute, and a lot of miscellaneous matters with respect to Chappaquiddick and this, that, and the next thing. Those are the areas of which I am talking. [00.16.27] Senator TALMADGE. Who was the author of the White House horrors? Mr. MITCHELL. Well, I do not know as I can answer for all Of those, Senator. I think that the affidavits that have been filed in some Of the courts and the stories that have come out in the press probably give You a better picture of that than I can individually. [MITCHELL commences hairsplitting] Senator TALMADGE. Did you play an active supervisory role in the campaign before you resigned as Attorney General? Mr. MITCHELL. An active Supervisory role? Senator TALMADGE. Yes. sir. Mr. MITCHELL. What I did was Succumb to the President's request to keep an eye on what was going on over there and I had frequent meetings with Individuals dealing with matters of policy also with individuals who would bring other individuals Over to introduce them to me and discuss their talents and their qualities with respect to filling- certain jobs in that particular area. Yes. sir, I did. Senator TALMADGE. You would consider, then, that you did play an active Supervisory role before you resigned as Attorney General? Mr. MITCHELL. Well. the word "supervisory" gets me, Senator. I am not quite sure of that. Senator TALMADGE. An active role before you resigned. Mr. MITCHELL. If You would change "supervisory" to "consulting", I think I would be much happier. Senator TALMADGE. Did it get beyond the consulting capacity? [00.17.54] Mr. MITCHELL. Well, it might have been in areas where I let them know lily opinion quite forcefully and strongly, but I think that would still I fit under the role of consultant. Senator TALMADGE. Didn't you testify to the contrary before the Judiciary Committee on March 114. 1972? Mr. MITCHELL. Senator. I am glad you asked me that. I was waiting for Somebody to. May I read the' dialog? Senator TALMADGE. Yes. Mr. MITCHELL. I was, hoping that would come up. Senator TALMADGE. I am glad to accommodate you, sir. [00.18.25] Mr. MITCHELL. Thank you. Because this subject matter has been bandied about, and I think quite unfairly. This is a question by Senator Kennedy: [Reading] Senator KENNEDY. Do you remember what party responsibilities you had prior to March 1? Mr. MITCHELL. Party responsibilities ? Senator KENNEDY. Yes. Republican Party. Mr. MITCHELL. I do not have and did not have any responsibilities, I have no party responsibilities now, Senator. Mr. MITCHELL. Now, it seems to -me that this committee has spent, about 6 weeks trying to make a distinction between the different parties and the Committee for the Re-Election of the President, and I look upon it the same way. Senator TALMADGE. Let's read a little further, Mr. Mitchell. Mr. MITCHELL. This is the only quote I have. Do you have something more, on that? Senator TALMADGE. Yes. Let me read it for you. [Laughter.] Next question: [READING] Senator KENNEDY. No re-election campaign responsibilities? Mr. MITCHELL. Not as Yet. I hope to. I am going to make the application to the chairman of the committee if I ever get through with these hearings. [Laughter.] Mr. MITCHELL. I can't believe that the Washington Post could be so mistaken. Senator TALMADGE. May I send it to you for the refreshment of your memory, sir? Mr. MITCHELL. I would like, to see it, Senator TALMADGE. I will ask a member of the staff to show Mr., Mitchell page 633 of the hearings of Mr. Richard G. Kleindienst, resumed, an March 14, 1972. [document passed to MITCHELL, reading with counsel] [00.20.45]