Um, my memory could be wrong

[PCIntern]

But I listened to almost every minute of the Senate Select Committee investigating Watergate and if I recall correctly with the notable exception of Senator Lowell Weicker of Connecticut, the Republicans on that committee asked pointed questions of the witnesses in a manner which tended to exculpate Nixon and his cronies and attempted to cast doubt on the wrongdoing which was as plain as the nose on your face...or Nixon's face. As a college student I distinctly remember thinking that the Republicans including Senator Baker were skeptical that anyone could dream that there was a real criminal conspiracy. It was only later when the public had had enough that Baker and others began to act like real, or semi-real prosecutors.

And one more thing: Nixon was afraid as was the Establishment that all the rest of the misdeeds orchestrated contemporaneously and before we're going to come out if he didn't resign. That's why Ford declared the crisis "over": they didn't want more of the horrorshow to emerge.

[hlthe2b]

1. My Mom was rivited to the investigation-I can remember her anticipation each day as more came out...

I find your take on the evolution of REPUG response pretty likely to be exactly as it was and will be now--only when the public stands up and has had ENOUGH will they find even a rudimentary spine.

[John1956PA]

2. I recall Senator Baker unsuccessfully trying to get Richard Helms to budge.

Helms stood his ground and Baker had to back off.

[mercuryblues]

3. I know this is not a new thought

But Nixon had to be pardoned. If he stood trial a whole shitload more would be revealed. Ford's pardon was because the country had been through enough. It was a fuck you to the country, we're covering our asses.

[csziggy]

5. I watched much of the hearings in between college classes

My memory is that things started to turn for much of the public after the Saturday Night Massacre but when the information about the tapes came out, especially the missing 18 minutes, the shit hit the fan. That was when the Republicans who had been giving Nixon cover turned - I think to save their own hides. They were hearing from constituents who were finally fed up with Nixon and his dirty deeds.

That's why we need to call our elected officials and keep calling them!

[bresue]

6. Were there Representatives or Senators indicted and had jail time because of their involvement?

[H2O Man]

7. Correct.

More, right up until the House sub-committee's vote to move for a vote on impeachment, the House republicans were defending Nixon. One can watch the hearings of both the House, and the Senate investigation, on YouTube for conformation. Those films show that the breed of republicans then were not much different than today.

[PCIntern]

8. I'm very pleased you agree

It is an extraordinarily meaningful corroboration