Was Richard Nixon a crook for trying to divert the Watergate investigation?

Question

Richard Nixon was the greatest President the United States ever had. I grew up listening to Richard Nixon on television. He instilled in me a sense of safety just listening to him speak. I believe Richard Nixon to be one of the most honorable men who ever held the office. He did not direct the break-in at the Watergate Hotel, but did try to divert an investigation. I imagine that his reasons were simply to prevent embarrasing the Office. He installed the taping system which provided evidence that he did, in fact. try to divert the investigation. Does that make him a criminal? The President of the United States does many things covertly. I agree that President Nixon should have not have done what he did, whatever it is that he did. I disagree that what he did was necessarily criminal for a President. He appointed Elliot Richardson, the United States Attorney General, who later refused to fire special prosecutor Archibald Cox, the man set out to bring Nixon's downfall. Was Nixon a crook?

There is no taping system now in The Whitehouse. Why not? What is Bush saying that the rest of the world shouldn't hear. I've done my research. Please limit your answers to your opinions with supporting reasons why and refrain from providing links. Anyone can edit Wikipedia. It is not a reliable source.

I do not live my life with my eyes closed. If Nixon were a crook, how would that make him different from Bush? Bush lied to us and has waged a personal war for his "Daddy" Have not all Presidents, in all liklihood, done worse or equally as "criminal" as Nixon? It would have been best if he had refused to hand over the tapes. Bush would refuse, if he had a taping system in his office, which he does not. Wonder why?

BrentW. Thank you. I agree with you in every aspect of your answer. You answer was informative and was based on proven factual information. Clinton committed adultery, Bush started an unecessary war for his daddy and his family financed the Nazis. Reagan cost the United States 100's of billions of dollars after having to bail out savings and loans after the Garn St. Germain fiasco. Kennedy was an adulterer and smoked dope. Ford was very brave, knowing his political career would be finished after pardoning Nixon. Nixon said after office that we tell the public one thing but do another. I am not a Rebulican, but I can still say that this man will always be one of my most inspiring heros. I envy you that you met him. It would have made my year. Thank you.

Thank you, Charlie B. I truly appreciate your answer and opinion about Watergate and the "weaklings" that failed Nixon, even when in the end he tried never to fail them.

Answer 1

No, Nixon was not a crook. He was one of our best Presidents in terms of foreign policy. He ended the Vietnam war. He opened relations to China. He entered into detente with the Soviet Union. He didn't start any wars, he ended one. As far as Watergate, it has never been proven - even with all the evidence on the tapes - that he ordered the break in at the Watergate. He did try to contain the political damage after he found out his campaign operatives were involved. His major mistake was to try to protect the people involved, instead of letting the chips fall where they may. He would still have easily beaten McGovern. Remember, the break in happened in June of 72, 5 months before the election. He himself admitted that he did not handle the Watergate affair correctly. And, he paid the price for it. I admire Nixon and have all my life. I had the honor of meeting him in 1991 at the opening of his Presidential Library in Yorba Linda, California. Read Tom Wicker's book "One of Us" for those interested in a fair and balanced biography of Nixon.

Michael P: Thank you for your kind words. I thought of another small anecdote to pass along to you and whoever else may read this. As far as Nixon being a "crook", back in the late 80s, early 90s, after his book "In The Arena" came out, I bought a copy of the book, mailed it to his office, and asked President Nixon to autograph the book for me and mail it back. I included 3 dollar bills with the book I sent to him to cover the return postage. A few weeks later, I got a package in the mail from the Office of Richard Nixon with the book, autographed and with a nice inscription written inside it - he wrote my name! - and, the 3 dollar bills were inside the book. He could have pocketed the 3 dollars and no one would ever have known about it except me. But, he didn't. True story. I keep the 3 dollars inside that book to remember his kind and honest gesture. I was just a college student in Virginia, nobody famous.

Answer 2

I agree. President M. Nixon's record of accomplishments were phenomenal! I admired him because he always did what he said he would, as he demonstrated so well in ending the war in 'Nam, and opening relations with China. The fact that he was maligned over the affair at The Watergate (I feel) was attribute able to the weaklings who worked for him. Namely John Mitchell, John Dean, and the rest of their ilk. The only people accused in the affair who showed the respect due to the office of the president were Nixon himself and G. Gordon Liddy. Mr Nixon was never proved guilty of ordering the break in, but he did try to protect the office by attempting the cover up. The fact that he resigned from the office showed that he was an honorable man, a truly gifted statesman, and had unwaivering respect for the presidency and the United States.

Answer 3

Richard M Nixon was not the greatest President that ever lived--that was FDR in my opinion. But to answer your real question, yes Mr Nixon was a crook and if you opened your eyes to the truth of what happened and what the tapes revealed you will know it is the truth

Answer 4

Yes he was a crook