Confirmation Hearing for Alexander Haig
Confirmation Hearing for Alexander Haig
Five adult Caucasian men seated in a row, with notepads on their laps; adult Caucasian and African American men seated in BG. U.S. Senator John Glenn (D-OH) listening as Sen. Charles Mathias (R-MD) speaks off camera. U.S. Senators Edward Zorinsky (D-NE) and Paul Sarbanes (D-MD) rubbing faces, yawning. Sens. Alan Cranston (D-CA) and Christopher Dodd (D-CT) listening. Senate Committee members include Senators S.I. Hayakawa (R-CA), Jesse Helms (R-NC), Charles Percy (R-IL), Nancy Kassebaum (R-KS). Committee Room with Committee members; predominantly adult Caucasian men and women listen to Sen. Mathias remarks.
Confirmation Hearing for Alexander Haig
Middle-aged adult Caucasian men and adult Caucasian woman seated, taking notes. U.S. Senator Paul Sarbanes (D-MD) speaking: "...Mr. Chairman, I said at the outset of these hearings that General Haig was a man of considerable abilities, and that view has been strengthened by our five days of hearings. My concerns have centered primarily upon sensitivity to the use of power under our constitutional system and the judgments General Haig would make in this regard. He was a major figure in the White House, including fifteen months as chief of staff, during the years when serious abuses of power occurred that it resulted in the resignation of President Nixon in the face of a certain impeachment. As Secretary of State, General Haig will be in the leading policy making position in the Cabinet, making policy as well as executing it. It has therefore been pertinent to try to ascertain the kinds of value judgments he would bring to his responsibilities and the limits on constitutional power which he would draw. While that effort has brought some reassurance, my concerns on this fundamental question remain too strong for me to be able, in good conscience to support this nomination. I sincerely hope that General Haig's performance in office will prove these continuing concerns to be unwarranted. As a member of this committee, which has constant contact with the Secretary of State, I anticipate working closely with the new Secretary of State to strengthen our nation's foreign policy, and to insure the vitality of our democracy. Thank you Mr. Chairman." Sen. Charles Percy (R-IL) responds: "Thank you very much indeed. I would like to say, on behalf of the committee, I think, several of you took on a role, which I anticipated and advised in my opening statement, a role that General Haig would have to perform if this committee was to perform its duty. It was not a pleasant task. It was undertaken with tremendous grace, and an historic occasion, I think, when the power of the reason that was used caused General Haig to think through and re-express his sense of moral values. And we're deeply grateful indeed for the minority taking on this responsibility, which we fully backed the right, and duty, and obligation of the Senate of the United States, no matter how difficult that role was. And you performed extraordinarily well." Adult Caucasian male aides coming and going in BG; Sen. Jesse Helms (R-NC) seated next to Sen. Percy.
Confirmation Hearing for Alexander Haig
U.S. Senator Jesse Helms (R-NC) seated next to Sen. Charles Percy (R-IL); adult Caucasian male aides in BG. Sen. Percy discusses the speaking order between Senators Edward Zorinsky (D-NE) and Paul Tsongas (D-MA). Senator Tsongas proceeds with his statement: "Let me say, Mr. Chairman, I appreciate your comments. It has not been an easy process for some of us. All I can say after hearing Senator Sarbanes, and knowing what I am going to say, I hope he does not take it out on the country of Greece, who has nothing to do with this. Mr. Chairman, I would like to state the reasons for my vote on the confirmation of General Alexander Haig as Secretary of State. I have sat through five days of extensive and at times exhaustive questioning of General Haig. I have listened to his answers on the broad range of issues discussed. And I have observed Alexander Haig, the man, as he endured the hours of inquiry. What we have before us is an extraordinary man. The talents given to him are not to be taken lightly: capable, intelligent, tough, pragmatic, a sense of history a knack for retaining his options. In terms of raw talent, General Haig is clearly the most impressive man I have encountered in a confirmation hearing. He will use this talent to dominate this administration. I have absolutely no doubt about that. There are within this man all the ingredients necessary for an historic tenure as Secretary of State; not average, not sufficient, but historic. A man who has the potential to be honored by both Republicans and Democrats, by both Conservatives and Liberals. We are dealing here with a high-risk, high-gain opportunity. What risks are involved here? The risks inherent in having all of those enormous skills not properly focused by a dominant sense of moral purpose, the risk of expediency despoiling an otherwise solid performance. How real is this risk? I, for one, don't know. I am not convinced either way. Only time and history will tell." Senators Paul S. Sarbanes, (D-MD) and Zorinsky seated nearby, listening.
Confirmation Hearing for Alexander Haig
U.S. Senators Paul S. Sarbanes, (D-MD) and Edward Zorinsky (D-NE) listening to U.S. Senator Paul Tsongas (D-MA) continue his statement; Tsongas: "So what then is my function? My function is to let General Haig know that there is a Foreign Relations Committee dedicated to its oversight function, that there are some of us who believe strongly that America stands for a certain set of principles that are not to be disregarded; that indeed we are a nation of laws not men. If this coincides with General Haig's own view, then my caution and my role will have been unnecessary. If it does not, then I will have served my function as I see it, no matter how lonely the task. I admire talent, capacity, and strength; General Haig has them all. Combine that with a sense of moral limits and you have the stuff of legends. Absent that sense of limits and you have the potential for tragedy. Given my feelings of doubt, my function, then, is one of vigilance. And I feel that I can best express the seriousness of my commitment to that vigilance with a nay vote. I wish General Haig well, because above all, I am an American whose life and whose family's lives are, to a real degree, in his hands. God gave him much. It is up to him to write this upcoming chapter of American history, in a way that will honor us all. I truly hope for his success. Thank you Mr. Chairman." U.S. Senator Charles Percy (R-IL) responds (off camera): "Thank you very much, indeed. And, again, our appreciation for your contribution Senator Tsongas. Senator Boschwitz."
Confirmation Hearing for Alexander Haig
Senate Committee on Foreign Relations members U.S. Senators Charles Mathias (R-MD), Edward Zorinsky (D-NE), Paul Sarbanes (D-MD), Christopher Dodd (D-CT), Jesse Helms (R-NC), Charles Percy (R-IL), Nancy Kassebaum (R-KS), Paul Tsongas (D-MA), Rudy Boschwitz (R-MN), and Larry Pressler (R-SD) seated during hearing. Adult Caucasian men and women seated in room, listening to Sen. Boschwiz's statement. Sen. Zorinsky giving a brief excerpt of his statement. Sen. Percy expressing his closing remarks; Fred Thompson, future Senator (R-TN) seated in BG; drinking from a paper cup.