Senate Select Committee on Presidential Campaign Activities, July 10, 1973
Senate Select Committee on Presidential Campaign Activities, July 10, 1973
[00.58.59-Sen. TALMADGE interrogating MITCHELL] Senator TALMADGE. It's been observed in the press, in Mr. Dean's testimony, that Mr. Haldeman and Mr. Ehrlichman tried to smoke You out, and get you to take the blame for this whole a affair, that you were shaken by the circumstances, and now isolated from the, President. Would you like to comment on that? Mr. MITCHELL. -Now where does this is come from? Senator TALMADGE. Dean, among others, and various--- Mr. MITCHELL. This is not, a direct quote from Dean. You are also reading Evans and Novak and a few others. Senator TALMADGE. Newspapers, Newspaper comment. Mr. MITCHELL. And a few other throw-ins of hypothetical---- Senator TALMADGE. Perhaps one of the contributing factors to it is the last time you visited the White House you didn't even see the President as I understand it. Mr. MITCHELL. That was my exact, determination that I should not under the circumstances. Senator TALMADGE. That is what I understood you to say. Mr. MITCHELL. Yes, that is what I did say. Senator TALMADGE'. So you have not been isolated from the President? Mr. MITCHELL. I have--well let me answer your question first: There has been running through 'Mr. Dean's testimony on a number of occasions the reference that, you know. "Mitchell come forward and take the blame for all of this and this will solve all of the problems and of course I have been meeting with these people from time to time during this period. But the only one I have ever heard that story from is Dean. Neither Haldeman or Ehrlichman or either Colson or Shapiro have come to me with that story so the only one I have ever heard from is Dean. [01.00.24] Senator TALMADGE. One thing I can't understand, Mr. Mitchell. As I understand it., you have been probably closer associated -with the President than probably any man. You were his law partner, probably his most trusted confidant and adviser. You had immediate access to the White House at, any time, to the President's office, including a direct line. Is that a fair statement? Mr. MITCHELL. It is extremely complimentary. Senator TALMADGE. It, is meant to be complimentary. Mr. MITCHELL. I think it is made a little higher than it, might be, Senator TALMADGE. NOW. you have been in public office in positions of high responsibility in Government. I have had that privilege also as Governor of my state, and now for 16 1/2 years in the U.S. Senate. To my mind, the first requirement of a subordinate and adviser and confidant, in any capacity is absolute and implicit trust. If they see anything going wrong involving their superior that needs corrective action, they report, it instantly. When you found out all these crimes and conspiracies and cover-ups were being committed. why on Earth didn't you walk into the President's office and tell him the truth? [01.01.51] Mr. MITCHELL. It wasn't a question of telling him the truth. It was a question of not involving him at, all so that he could go on through his campaign without being involved in this type of activity, and I am talking about the White House horror part particularly. As I have testified this morning, I was sure that, knowing Richard Nixon, the President, as I do, I would just, lower the boom on all of this matter and it would come, back to hurt him and it would affect him in his reelection. And that is the basis upon which I made the decision. And apparently, others concurred with it, Now, I am not speaking for them. It, may very well be that I was wrong, that it was a bad matter of judgment. [01.02.37] Senator TALMADGE. Am I to understand from your response that you placed the expediency of the next election above your responsibilities as an intimate to advise the President, of the peril that surrounded him? Here -was the deputy campaign director involved, here -were his two closest associates in his office involved, all around him were people involved in crime, perjury, accessory after the fact, and you deliberately refused to tell him that. Would you state that the expediency of the election was more important? Mr. MITCHELL. Senator, I think you have put it exactly correct. In my mind, the reelection of Richard Nixon, compared with what was available on the other side, was. so much more important, that I put it In just, that context. Senator TALMADGE. Do you think anything short of a trial for treason would have prevented his election? Mr. MITCHELL. I beg your pardon, Senator? Senator TALMADGE. Do you think anything short of a trial for treason would have prevented his election? Mr. MITCHELL. Well, it depends on what area we are talking about. Mr. Thompson and I went through that, and of course. depending upon what time and what area It -was in. Senator or TALMADGE. . Thank you. Mr. Mitchell. I have no further questions at this time. [01.03.54-LEHRER in studio] LEHRER states that Sen. TALMADGE has looked into MITCHELL'S motivations, finding a mix of politics and personal loyalty. Sen. GURNEY will be next. [PBS Network ID] [01.04.19-TAPE OUT]