Watergate Hearings: Senate Select Committee on Presidential Campaign Activities June 25, 1973
Watergate Hearings: Senate Select Committee on Presidential Campaign Activities June 25, 1973
Watergate Hearings: Senate Select Committee on Presidential Campaign Activities June 25, 1973 01.25.07 DO NOT USE Image or narration of Jim Lehrer. Further clearances should be pursued by client. LEHRER introduces Stephen Hess and Jack Kramer as guest commentators. LEHRER asks KRAMER from a legal standpoint what does DEAN'S testimony do to NIXON. KRAMER states that for a criminal conviction, there must be proof of criminal intent and a criminal act. In this case, the crime at stake is obstruction of justice, and it would be necessary to show an intent to prevent prosecutors from getting information. If one believes DEAN, there are several factors which come into play. First, DEAN testified that NIXON had two conversations, one with EHRLICHMAN and one with COLSON about EXECUTIVE CLEMENCY for Howard HUNT. Second, DEAN said that NIXON said that he could find $1 million to pay the defendants to keep silent about the higher levels of the Watergate conspiracy. Other suggestions that NIXON was not openly admitting to being informed by DEAN about the coverup plan, i.e. in the resignation letter NIXON provided to DEAN to sign, KRAMER states that these things relate to the criminal act of OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE, but the second element, Criminal Intent, is significant. It seems that DEAN'S testimony raises questions about the PRESIDENT'S intentions, such as when NIXON claimed that the reference to paying $1 million was "a joke", and when he (out of tape recorder range, evidently) admitted that it was a mistake to promise clemency to HUNT, which raise doubts as to NIXON's intent to obstruct justice. LEHRER asks, of HESS, legal culpability aside, how NIXON stands with the public. HESS says that NIXON has to do something to respond to the serious charges by DEAN, or he may think that a low profile will serve him well, as evidenced by the BREZHNEV summit recently, that the powers of the Presidency are broad and that time will distract people from Watergate. Or maybe he will take a legalistic approach to rebut DEAN'S testimony, or a counterattack strategy against his opponents. Maybe NIXON will choose to extend a limited apology for failing to stop others from doing wrong. HESS states that he hopes for a forthright and honest address to the people from the PRESIDENT. MacNEILL asks KRAMER about DEAN'S credibility. KRAMER states that based on the previous testimony by MAGRUDER, DEAN'S testimony gets some corroboration, but other details will have to be corroborated piece by piece by further witnesses. The TAPE of DEAN'S conversations with NIXON will be critical if it can be obtained. MacNEILL states that this is similar to the allegations raised by McCORD, which represented a step into new territory in the investigation. KRAMER says he doesn't yet see any major inconsistencies with DEAN, although some may develop under questioning. HESS states that DEAN is an "attractive witness", after speaking for a long six hours and maintaining his composure, it will be hard to demonize DEAN on the basis of his self-presentation. LEHRER asks who on the committee can be expected to really go after DEAN in the questioning period, especially after DEAN'S testimony that the WHITE HOUSE considered Sen. GURNEY to be a STOOGE. HESS says he doesn't think DEAN'S in for an easy time from any Senators, but all the Senators have developed their own styles and there probably won't be any sharp deviation from those styles to question DEAN. LEHRER states that the next day will begin questioning of DEAN, with the Senators picking at the details of DEAN'S presentation. DEAN'S memory will be tested and challenged, and when the questioning is over, the public and the President will have to digest the testimony of John W. DEAN III, and decide whether to believe him. Perhaps at the late hour, all should go to sleep. Signs off. [01.31.12-title screen "SENATE HEARINGS ON CAMPAIGN ACTIVITIES"-sponsor credits-NPACT credits-PBS network ID]