Nixon: A Presidential Unraveling Essay -- Government

Corruption in politics has never been more notably observable by the American people than that of the Watergate Crisis. Though Nixon’s involvement of the actual break-in has never been proven, his cover-up of the event and his misuse of Presidential power were clearly established. Over the course of several years, America would bear witness to scandalous events, the first resignation of a President, conviction and imprisonment of twenty-five officials within the Nixon administration, and undoubtedly the most severe constitutional crisis in recent history. In November of 1968, Richard Nixon claims the presidency for the Republicans in one of the closest elections in U.S. history. His election to office was bolstered by the middle-class population who were fed up with the liberal politics practiced by the Democrats. Ironically, Nixon choice of appointments to the cabinet and White House staff were to ensure restoration of â€Å"conservative values and carry out his orders with blind obedience.† (Tindall 1364). Many of the members appointed would be the same brought up on charges during the Watergate hearings. There had been many questionable judgments made by President Nixon during his time in office. One had been on July 23, 1970 when he notified the FBI, CIA, National Security Agency and Defense Intelligence Agency that he had approved a new plan for expanding domestic intelligence gathering that included breaking and entering, opening personal mail and interception of communications between U.S. residents and foreign locations. He claims to have later rescinded the order due to protests by FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover. There has been no clear indication that any of the illegal acts suggested by the president were ever carried ou... ...ity meant to bolster Nixon’s standing for reelection. It is also without question that Nixon knew of the activities and blatantly lied to both the Senate Watergate Committee in addition to the American people. His clear misuse of power prompted a cry for his impeachment as head of our country and an end to the constitutional crisis he incited. Works Cited Tindall, George Brown. "Watergate." America: A Narrative History. 8th ed. Vol. 2. New York: Norton, 2010. 1375-1379. Print. "Watergate I: The Evidence To Date." Time 102.8 (1973): 18. Academic Search Premier. Web. 23 Apr. 2012. "The President Gambles On Going Public." Time 103.19 (1974): 22. Academic Search Premier. Web. 23 Apr. 2012. Hufbauer, Benjamin. "â€Å"Watergate.† The Nixon Presidential Library And Museum." Journal Of American History 98.3 (2011): 790-796. Academic Search Premier. Web. 23 Apr. 2012.