Revisiting the Watergate scandal with an 'enormous number’ of new revelations

Summary

In a conversation with Judy Woodruff, historian Garrett Graff discusses his book *Watergate: A New History*, marking the 50th anniversary of the Watergate scandal. Graff explains how the story of Watergate is much more than the infamous 1972 burglary, highlighting the broader series of events, political battles, and abuses of power during Nixon's presidency. He emphasizes the transformation of Washington during this period, the role of investigative journalism, and the lessons learned for contemporary politics, including comparisons between the Nixon and Trump administrations. Graff reveals new insights into the criminality of Nixon’s actions and their lasting impact.

Takeaways

• 😀 Watergate remains one of the most significant scandals in American history, shaping the nation's political culture.
• 😀 The 50th anniversary of the Watergate break-in this summer marks a time to reflect on the legacy of the event.
• 😀 Garrett Graff's book, 'Watergate: A New History,' offers a comprehensive, 800-page account of Watergate, providing new insights into the scandal.
• 😀 The new revelations about Watergate, such as the identity of Deep Throat and the declassification of Nixon's tapes, significantly change the narrative we thought we knew.
• 😀 Watergate was not just a burglary but a series of events involving a wide range of abuses of power, with at least a dozen connected scandals throughout Nixon's presidency.
• 😀 The Watergate scandal highlighted the need for checks and balances, with various institutions working together to bring Nixon to justice.
• 😀 Watergate serves as a critical moment in U.S. political history, marking a shift between the old and new Washington and shaping modern investigative journalism.
• 😀 Many reforms, particularly around abuses of power and civil liberties, were implemented as a response to the revelations of Watergate.
• 😀 Contrary to the idea that 'the cover-up is worse than the crime,' Graff suggests that the actual criminal activities, including Nixon's potential involvement in treason, were even more significant than previously understood.
• 😀 A comparison is made between Nixon's abuses of power and those of Donald Trump, with a focus on how the Washington political system responded differently in the two eras.
• 😀 The lessons from Watergate are critical for understanding how Washington's political machinery works today, especially when it comes to holding leaders accountable.

Q & A

What is the central theme of Garrett Graff's book 'Watergate: A New History'?

The central theme of Garrett Graff's book is to provide a comprehensive account of the Watergate scandal, emphasizing that it was not just a single event, but a series of events spanning several scandals that involved abuses of power during Richard Nixon's presidency.

Why did Garrett Graff feel it was necessary to write a new book about Watergate, despite many books already being written on the topic?

Graff felt it was necessary to write a new book because it had been a quarter-century since anyone had attempted to tell the full story of Watergate. Over the years, new revelations, such as the identity of Deep Throat and the declassification of Nixon's tapes and FBI files, provided fresh perspectives that significantly altered the understanding of the scandal.

How does Graff describe Watergate in terms of its scope and significance?

Graff describes Watergate as a broader phenomenon, where the burglary at the DNC office in 1972 was just one part of a much larger web of criminal activities and abuses of power by the Nixon administration, encompassing multiple related scandals over several years.

What does Garrett Graff mean when he says Watergate represents a 'mindset'?

Graff suggests that Watergate was not just about specific criminal acts but reflected a larger mindset within the Nixon administration—one centered around the hunger for power, protecting that power at all costs, and the challenges to it.

What role did institutions and the media play in the downfall of Nixon during Watergate?

Graff emphasizes that Watergate was a pivotal moment where various institutions, including Congress, the Justice Department, and the media, worked together to investigate and prosecute Nixon's wrongdoing. Their collective efforts were necessary for the eventual resignation of the president.

How does Watergate mark the division between old Washington and new Washington?

Watergate is seen as a dividing line between old and new Washington because it ushered in a new generation of leaders, reshaped Washington's political landscape, and saw the rise of investigative journalism, setting the stage for future reforms in government and media practices.

What does Graff reveal about the 'cover-up is worse than the crime' mantra in the context of Watergate?

Graff challenges the widely held belief that 'the cover-up is worse than the crime.' He argues that, in the case of Watergate, the criminal activities were far more extensive and egregious than previously understood, with some actions potentially bordering on treason, especially regarding Nixon's involvement in manipulating the Vietnam War for political gain.

What similarities and contrasts does Graff draw between Richard Nixon's Watergate scandal and the Trump administration?

Graff points out that while both Nixon and Trump faced significant scandals and abuses of power, the mechanisms of accountability in Nixon's time, such as the effective use of checks and balances, were more successful in holding him accountable than during the Trump years, where similar systems struggled to function as effectively.

How did Watergate lead to reforms in American politics and government?

Watergate led to significant reforms in American politics, including new protections against abuses of power, greater focus on privacy and civil liberties, and stronger investigative practices in both the press and government institutions.

How does Garrett Graff view the role of Washington's political system during Watergate?

Graff views the political system during Watergate as functioning effectively to investigate and hold Nixon accountable. The coordinated efforts of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches, along with investigative journalism, were able to uncover the truth and challenge the abuses of power.