Impeachment Hearings: House Judiciary Committee, July 24, 1974 (1/2)
Impeachment Hearings: House Judiciary Committee, July 24, 1974 (1/2)
Impeachment Hearings: House Judiciary Committee, July 24, 1974 Washington DC
Impeachment Hearings: House Judiciary Committee, July 24, 1974 (1/2)
DO NOT USE Cut wide view of studio, Paul Duke, Jim Lehrer. Lehrer introduces guest commentator Barbara Tuckman, an author and historian.
Impeachment Hearings: House Judiciary Committee, July 24, 1974 (1/2)
(Do not use voice over of Jim Lehrer) Barbara Tuckman, an author and historian.
Impeachment Hearings: House Judiciary Committee, July 24, 1974 (1/2)
DO NOT USE Jim Lehrer askswhat she thinks is the significance of the hearings
Impeachment Hearings: House Judiciary Committee, July 24, 1974 (1/2)
Barbara Tuckman, an author and historian, Well, I think the first thing that I m thinking about is the opportunity for the House of Representatives and all the Congress, to retrieve the role that the Constitution gave it and that has eroded so dangerously over the last 30 years. I think in a way, in a sense, it s the Congress that is as much, if not on trial, at least facing a serious moment in its history, as much as the Presidency, because it seems to me that through its volute mission over the last 3 decades, it is the Congress that has allowed the abuse of power by the Presidency and it s time we got it back. I think the significance for the American people is in the action of the House first of all as much as what will happen in relation to the Presidency.
Impeachment Hearings: House Judiciary Committee, July 24, 1974 (1/2)
(DO NOT USE image of Jim Lehrer.) Paul Duke, Are you suggesting, however subtly Mrs. Tuckman, that you believe this is a kind of last chance for Congress to stop the errosion of its own power and to impead the full of power toward the White House which has occurred?
Impeachment Hearings: House Judiciary Committee, July 24, 1974 (1/2)
Barbara Tuckman, an author and historian, Well, I m not given to very dogmatic statements about first, last and never. But I think it is a terribly important opportunity and I have been, as an American citizen, concerned by the tipping of power in the Executive - to the Executive - for so long. Because I am not, I think like most of us, not an advocate of one-man-rule, our democratic system has been, I think - not through evil intent, but through circumstance - tipping way over toward one side in a way that has become dangerous for the outcome of democratic governement.
Impeachment Hearings: House Judiciary Committee, July 24, 1974 (1/2)
DO NOT USE Jim Lehrer asks what she will be looking for as an historian in the debate that a layman might not.
Impeachment Hearings: House Judiciary Committee, July 24, 1974 (1/2)
Barbara Tuckman, an author and historian, Well I was hoping to hear some statements of sense by the Committes that they represent the citizenry of the country. After all the House of Representatives is - represents the citizens. And I felt - I never loose my capacity to be shocked - I always thought I could.I really was surprised - not shocked - by the Republican statement two days ago - or was it yesterday - about Mr. Jenner and his not carrying out the functions for his client. I m really puzzled by the Republican, but their equating the retention of Mr Nixon in the Presidency