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What I learned investigating Nixon, and why it matters now | Bob Woodward | TEDxMidAtlantic


[Music]

[Music] [Applause]

thank you you’re nice too and invite me

thank you you’re nice too and invite me what I want to do is talk a little bit

what I want to do is talk a little bit

what I want to do is talk a little bit about Watergate which was a long time

about Watergate which was a long time

about Watergate which was a long time ago what we’ve learned about corruption

ago what we’ve learned about corruption

ago what we’ve learned about corruption what we’ve learned about Nixon since

what we’ve learned about Nixon since

what we’ve learned about Nixon since then because of his secret taping system

then because of his secret taping system

then because of his secret taping system there’s so much that comes out it’s

there’s so much that comes out it’s

there’s so much that comes out it’s almost as if every season there is a new

almost as if every season there is a new

almost as if every season there is a new batch of Nixon tapes and then try to

batch of Nixon tapes and then try to

batch of Nixon tapes and then try to address the question a little bit what

address the question a little bit what

address the question a little bit what does that mean

does that mean

does that mean what does Watergate what was what does

what does Watergate what was what does

what does Watergate what was what does the kind of corruption that leads to the

the kind of corruption that leads to the

the kind of corruption that leads to the resignation of a president

resignation of a president

resignation of a president entail and what happened the beginning

entail and what happened the beginning

entail and what happened the beginning of Watergate was five burglars caught in

of Watergate was five burglars caught in

of Watergate was five burglars caught in the Democratic headquarters at the

the Democratic headquarters at the

the Democratic headquarters at the Watergate and it seemed bizarre I

Watergate and it seemed bizarre I

Watergate and it seemed bizarre I remember that morning being called into

remember that morning being called into

remember that morning being called into the post and they said you know burglars

the post and they said you know burglars

the post and they said you know burglars I was sent down to the courthouse where

I was sent down to the courthouse where

I was sent down to the courthouse where the burglars were arraigned they all had

the burglars were arraigned they all had

the burglars were arraigned they all had business suits now there are lots of

business suits now there are lots of

business suits now there are lots of burglars in Washington

burglars in Washington

burglars in Washington none to my knowledge ever had business

none to my knowledge ever had business

none to my knowledge ever had business suits and they were there before the

suits and they were there before the

suits and they were there before the judge and the judge asked the leader

judge and the judge asked the leader

judge and the judge asked the leader where he worked and the leader said and

where he worked and the leader said and

where he worked and the leader said and the judge said speak up and so it was

the judge said speak up and so it was

the judge said speak up and so it was James McCord he said CIA and the judge

James McCord he said CIA and the judge

James McCord he said CIA and the judge then said no speak up so we can hear and

then said no speak up so we can hear and

then said no speak up so we can hear and so McCord said CIA I was in the front

so McCord said CIA I was in the front

so McCord said CIA I was in the front row listening and I’m going to speak

row listening and I’m going to speak

row listening and I’m going to speak English here because that’s what

English here because that’s what

English here because that’s what happened I said not in a whisper but

happened I said not in a whisper but

happened I said not in a whisper but kind of blurted it out holy so it

kind of blurted it out holy so it

kind of blurted it out holy so it was 26 months of Watergate and the

was 26 months of Watergate and the

was 26 months of Watergate and the revelations that sort of tumbled out and

revelations that sort of tumbled out and

revelations that sort of tumbled out and as you look at it now what you know what

as you look at it now what you know what

as you look at it now what you know what really was Watergate

really was Watergate

really was Watergate wasn’t just that burglary it was a

wasn’t just that burglary it was a

wasn’t just that burglary it was a series of illegal activities designed to

series of illegal activities designed to

series of illegal activities designed to subvert the process of electing a

subvert the process of electing a

subvert the process of electing a president in this country and nominating

president in this country and nominating

president in this country and nominating in the case of in nineteen seventy two

in the case of in nineteen seventy two

in the case of in nineteen seventy two of the Democratic opponent to Nixon Sam

of the Democratic opponent to Nixon Sam

of the Democratic opponent to Nixon Sam Ervin who led the Senate Watergate

Ervin who led the Senate Watergate

Ervin who led the Senate Watergate committee addressed the question what

committee addressed the question what

committee addressed the question what was Watergate and he said it was the

was Watergate and he said it was the

was Watergate and he said it was the subversion but why why Watergate and his

subversion but why why Watergate and his

subversion but why why Watergate and his answer which I think is right is it was

answer which I think is right is it was

answer which I think is right is it was a lust for political power retaining

a lust for political power retaining

a lust for political power retaining that political power that Nixon had so

that political power that Nixon had so

that political power that Nixon had so as you look at what was Watergate it was

as you look at what was Watergate it was

as you look at what was Watergate it was really five wars conducted by Nixon led

really five wars conducted by Nixon led

really five wars conducted by Nixon led by Nixon the first war was interestingly

by Nixon the first war was interestingly

by Nixon the first war was interestingly enough the war against the anti-war

enough the war against the anti-war

enough the war against the anti-war movement the anti Vietnam

movement the anti Vietnam

movement the anti Vietnam or movement which was growing nixon had

or movement which was growing nixon had

or movement which was growing nixon had inherited the Vietnam War from President

inherited the Vietnam War from President

inherited the Vietnam War from President Johnson he wanted to do it his way which

Johnson he wanted to do it his way which

Johnson he wanted to do it his way which was we’re going to withdraw troops but

was we’re going to withdraw troops but

was we’re going to withdraw troops but we’re going to bomb and bomb and bomb

we’re going to bomb and bomb and bomb

we’re going to bomb and bomb and bomb which of course is what they did but he

which of course is what they did but he

which of course is what they did but he hated the anti-war movement so strongly

hated the anti-war movement so strongly

hated the anti-war movement so strongly that he had one of his aides in the

that he had one of his aides in the

that he had one of his aides in the White House Thomas Charles Houston drop

White House Thomas Charles Houston drop

White House Thomas Charles Houston drop a top-secret plan of how to deal with

a top-secret plan of how to deal with

a top-secret plan of how to deal with the domestic opposition people who were

the domestic opposition people who were

the domestic opposition people who were thought to be radicals or were radicals

thought to be radicals or were radicals

thought to be radicals or were radicals this Houston plan Houston in proposing

this Houston plan Houston in proposing

this Houston plan Houston in proposing it to Nixon in writing said oh this is

it to Nixon in writing said oh this is

it to Nixon in writing said oh this is illegal

illegal

illegal because it involved break-ins

because it involved break-ins

because it involved break-ins wiretapping surveillance everything

wiretapping surveillance everything

wiretapping surveillance everything necessary to bring the anti-war movement

necessary to bring the anti-war movement

necessary to bring the anti-war movement or the violent parts of the anti-war

or the violent parts of the anti-war

or the violent parts of the anti-war movement to toe and Nixon approved it J

movement to toe and Nixon approved it J

movement to toe and Nixon approved it J Edgar Hoover the FBI director objected

Edgar Hoover the FBI director objected

Edgar Hoover the FBI director objected not because he thought gee these are

not because he thought gee these are

not because he thought gee these are illegal things but he thought and he

illegal things but he thought and he

illegal things but he thought and he knew that break-ins wiretapping

knew that break-ins wiretapping

knew that break-ins wiretapping surveillance that’s the job of the FBI

surveillance that’s the job of the FBI

surveillance that’s the job of the FBI that’s our turf

that’s our turf

that’s our turf we don’t want to share it and so Nixon

we don’t want to share it and so Nixon

we don’t want to share it and so Nixon rescinded the Houston plan but then

rescinded the Houston plan but then

rescinded the Houston plan but then things in 1971 got so intense and

things in 1971 got so intense and

things in 1971 got so intense and there’s a tape of a meeting in the Oval

there’s a tape of a meeting in the Oval

there’s a tape of a meeting in the Oval Office

Office

Office it was June 17 1971 now this is a year

it was June 17 1971 now this is a year

it was June 17 1971 now this is a year before the Watergate burglary and it’s

before the Watergate burglary and it’s

before the Watergate burglary and it’s Nixon his chief of staff Haldeman and

Nixon his chief of staff Haldeman and

Nixon his chief of staff Haldeman and Henry Kissinger in the National Security

Henry Kissinger in the National Security

Henry Kissinger in the National Security Adviser and there is a document that

Adviser and there is a document that

Adviser and there is a document that they want to get out of the Brookings

they want to get out of the Brookings

they want to get out of the Brookings Institution that’s going to help in

Institution that’s going to help in

Institution that’s going to help in criticizing President Johnson and his

criticizing President Johnson and his

criticizing President Johnson and his conduct of the war and they’re talking

conduct of the war and they’re talking

conduct of the war and they’re talking about it and literally Bob Haldeman said

about it and literally Bob Haldeman said

about it and literally Bob Haldeman said oh if we get this document we’ll be able

oh if we get this document we’ll be able

oh if we get this document we’ll be able to blackmail Lyndon Johnson think about

to blackmail Lyndon Johnson think about

to blackmail Lyndon Johnson think about it

it

it can you imagine John Adams the second

can you imagine John Adams the second

can you imagine John Adams the second president sitting around and saying

president sitting around and saying

president sitting around and saying let’s get something so we can blackmail

let’s get something so we can blackmail

let’s get something so we can blackmail George Washington but here that was the

George Washington but here that was the

George Washington but here that was the proposal and Nixon said well I want to

proposal and Nixon said well I want to

proposal and Nixon said well I want to burglarize the Brookings Institution to

burglarize the Brookings Institution to

burglarize the Brookings Institution to get this document listen to the tape it

get this document listen to the tape it

get this document listen to the tape it is chilling president of the United

is chilling president of the United

is chilling president of the United States saying let’s blow the safe I want

States saying let’s blow the safe I want

States saying let’s blow the safe I want to do this on a thievery basis you know

to do this on a thievery basis you know

to do this on a thievery basis you know it’s that anybody would talk this way

it’s that anybody would talk this way

it’s that anybody would talk this way that a president would talk this way is

that a president would talk this way is

that a president would talk this way is stunning now this the second war of

stunning now this the second war of

stunning now this the second war of Nixon was against the news media set up

Nixon was against the news media set up

Nixon was against the news media set up an operation in the White House called

an operation in the White House called

an operation in the White House called the plumbers led by Howard hunt gordon

the plumbers led by Howard hunt gordon

the plumbers led by Howard hunt gordon Liddy they were to find out leaks to the

Liddy they were to find out leaks to the

Liddy they were to find out leaks to the news media there were 17 wiretaps of

news media there were 17 wiretaps of

news media there were 17 wiretaps of reporters White House officials to gain

reporters White House officials to gain

reporters White House officials to gain information they burglarized the

information they burglarized the

information they burglarized the psychiatrists office of Daniel Ellsberg

psychiatrists office of Daniel Ellsberg

psychiatrists office of Daniel Ellsberg who had leaked the Pentagon Papers to

who had leaked the Pentagon Papers to

who had leaked the Pentagon Papers to the New York Times and The Washington

the New York Times and The Washington

the New York Times and The Washington Post now think of that the government

Post now think of that the government

Post now think of that the government has decided and Ellsberg is under

has decided and Ellsberg is under

has decided and Ellsberg is under criminal indictment also they decide

criminal indictment also they decide

criminal indictment also they decide they’re going to get him so let’s break

they’re going to get him so let’s break

they’re going to get him so let’s break into his psychiatrist’s office to get

into his psychiatrist’s office to get

into his psychiatrist’s office to get dirt on him the third war was to take

dirt on him the third war was to take

dirt on him the third war was to take this apparatus of Hunt and Liddy and the

this apparatus of Hunt and Liddy and the

this apparatus of Hunt and Liddy and the plumbers and wiretapping and the

plumbers and wiretapping and the

plumbers and wiretapping and the break-ins and bring it into the White

break-ins and bring it into the White

break-ins and bring it into the White House and to turn it against the

House and to turn it against the

House and to turn it against the Democrats and that was the Watergate

Democrats and that was the Watergate

Democrats and that was the Watergate operation and sabotage and espionage

operation and sabotage and espionage

operation and sabotage and espionage that accompanied that the fourth war was

that accompanied that the fourth war was

that accompanied that the fourth war was significantly the war against Justice

significantly the war against Justice

significantly the war against Justice which is the cover-up oh my god we’ve

which is the cover-up oh my god we’ve

which is the cover-up oh my god we’ve been caught now we have to lie and if

been caught now we have to lie and if

been caught now we have to lie and if you listen to some of these tapes here

you listen to some of these tapes here

you listen to some of these tapes here is the President of the United States

is the President of the United States

is the President of the United States proposing to his counsel John Dean well

proposing to his counsel John Dean well

proposing to his counsel John Dean well we have to pay the Watergate burglars

we have to pay the Watergate burglars

we have to pay the Watergate burglars for their silence and I and and John

for their silence and I and and John

for their silence and I and and John Dean the council says on this tape said

Dean the council says on this tape said

Dean the council says on this tape said well it’s going to be expensive and

well it’s going to be expensive and

well it’s going to be expensive and Nixon said well how much and Dean said

Nixon said well how much and Dean said

Nixon said well how much and Dean said well a million dollars Nixon oh I know

well a million dollars Nixon oh I know

well a million dollars Nixon oh I know where I can get that in the White House

where I can get that in the White House

where I can get that in the White House level of criminality which is

level of criminality which is

level of criminality which is astonishing then the old series of

astonishing then the old series of

astonishing then the old series of investigations special prosecutor Senate

investigations special prosecutor Senate

investigations special prosecutor Senate Watergate committee the impeachment

Watergate committee the impeachment

Watergate committee the impeachment investigation of Nixon and he resigns in

investigation of Nixon and he resigns in

investigation of Nixon and he resigns in August 1974 and what what happened there

August 1974 and what what happened there

August 1974 and what what happened there I lived for 20 more years and the fifth

I lived for 20 more years and the fifth

I lived for 20 more years and the fifth war was the war against history to say

war was the war against history to say

war was the war against history to say oh no Watergate was really not that

oh no Watergate was really not that

oh no Watergate was really not that important I did not

important I did not

important I did not commit impeachable offenses having

commit impeachable offenses having

commit impeachable offenses having surrogates go out and say well there are

surrogates go out and say well there are

surrogates go out and say well there are unanswered questions about Watergate

unanswered questions about Watergate

unanswered questions about Watergate which there are but I think in in a very

which there are but I think in in a very

which there are but I think in in a very important way you look at Nixon and this

important way you look at Nixon and this

important way you look at Nixon and this record on the tapes what he did is the

record on the tapes what he did is the

record on the tapes what he did is the presidency is supposed to be something

presidency is supposed to be something

presidency is supposed to be something that can do good for a majority of

that can do good for a majority of

that can do good for a majority of people in the country

people in the country

people in the country listen to those tapes time and time

listen to those tapes time and time

listen to those tapes time and time again it’s let’s use the power of the

again it’s let’s use the power of the

again it’s let’s use the power of the presidency is an instrument of personal

presidency is an instrument of personal

presidency is an instrument of personal revenge let’s get the IRS the FBI the

revenge let’s get the IRS the FBI the

revenge let’s get the IRS the FBI the CIA on Nixon’s real or perceived

CIA on Nixon’s real or perceived

CIA on Nixon’s real or perceived opponents the dog and this is ultimately

opponents the dog and this is ultimately

opponents the dog and this is ultimately I think the final corruption of Nixon

I think the final corruption of Nixon

I think the final corruption of Nixon and Watergate the dog that doesn’t bark

and Watergate the dog that doesn’t bark

and Watergate the dog that doesn’t bark on that tapes no one to my knowledge

on that tapes no one to my knowledge

on that tapes no one to my knowledge ever says what does the country need

ever says what does the country need

ever says what does the country need what would be good for the people it’s

what would be good for the people it’s

what would be good for the people it’s all in this vicious way of let’s screw

all in this vicious way of let’s screw

all in this vicious way of let’s screw somebody let’s help Nixon’s career let’s

somebody let’s help Nixon’s career let’s

somebody let’s help Nixon’s career let’s promise prosecute the Vietnam War so

promise prosecute the Vietnam War so

promise prosecute the Vietnam War so he’ll get reelected even though in one

he’ll get reelected even though in one

he’ll get reelected even though in one memo and my latest book Nixon actually

memo and my latest book Nixon actually

memo and my latest book Nixon actually wrote out which we didn’t know at the

wrote out which we didn’t know at the

wrote out which we didn’t know at the time just found this out last year he

time just found this out last year he

time just found this out last year he said well the the bombing has achieved

said well the the bombing has achieved

said well the the bombing has achieved zilch nothing and what did he do the URI

zilch nothing and what did he do the URI

zilch nothing and what did he do the URI was running for re-election he increased

was running for re-election he increased

was running for re-election he increased the bombing intensified 1.1 million tons

the bombing intensified 1.1 million tons

the bombing intensified 1.1 million tons of bombs in South East Asia so the day

of bombs in South East Asia so the day

of bombs in South East Asia so the day Nixon resigned he called his aides

Nixon resigned he called his aides

Nixon resigned he called his aides friends cabinet officers to the East

friends cabinet officers to the East

friends cabinet officers to the East Room of the White House and had his wife

Room of the White House and had his wife

Room of the White House and had his wife two daughters son in law’s standing

two daughters son in law’s standing

two daughters son in law’s standing there and there was no script it was

there and there was no script it was

there and there was no script it was Nixon raw

Nixon raw

Nixon raw and he talked about his mother and his

and he talked about his mother and his

and he talked about his mother and his father and he was sweating it was just a

father and he was sweating it was just a

father and he was sweating it was just a lot of people worried that he was going

lot of people worried that he was going

lot of people worried that he was going to come unglued because it was televised

to come unglued because it was televised

to come unglued because it was televised nationally then at the end Nixon

nationally then at the end Nixon

nationally then at the end Nixon kind of waved his hand ah here’s why I

kind of waved his hand ah here’s why I

kind of waved his hand ah here’s why I called you all here and he said the

called you all here and he said the

called you all here and he said the following

following

following always remember others may hate you but

always remember others may hate you but

always remember others may hate you but those who hate you don’t win unless you

those who hate you don’t win unless you

those who hate you don’t win unless you hate them and then you destroy yourself

hate them and then you destroy yourself

hate them and then you destroy yourself I think of the wisdom in that hate was

I think of the wisdom in that hate was

I think of the wisdom in that hate was the poison hate was what drove him and

the poison hate was what drove him and

the poison hate was what drove him and his presidency and at that moment he had

his presidency and at that moment he had

his presidency and at that moment he had to leave office he understood the poison

to leave office he understood the poison

to leave office he understood the poison and how hate had destroyed him

and how hate had destroyed him

and how hate had destroyed him had put the country on edge and if

had put the country on edge and if

had put the country on edge and if there’s anything to reflect on now you

there’s anything to reflect on now you

there’s anything to reflect on now you look back as we’ve seen the current

look back as we’ve seen the current

look back as we’ve seen the current presidential election on the surface and

presidential election on the surface and

presidential election on the surface and underneath there is too much contempt

underneath there is too much contempt

underneath there is too much contempt too much hate and that if you think

too much hate and that if you think

too much hate and that if you think about it we need to know what’s really

about it we need to know what’s really

about it we need to know what’s really going on we don’t know enough and if we

going on we don’t know enough and if we

going on we don’t know enough and if we don’t know what’s going on the judge who

don’t know what’s going on the judge who

don’t know what’s going on the judge who said it got it right democracies die in

said it got it right democracies die in

said it got it right democracies die in darkness and history proves that and we

darkness and history proves that and we

darkness and history proves that and we think we’re resilient I think we are we

think we’re resilient I think we are we

think we’re resilient I think we are we think we’re strong we think that we have

think we’re strong we think that we have

think we’re strong we think that we have a process that will protect us from that

a process that will protect us from that

a process that will protect us from that but if we are infected with hate and

but if we are infected with hate and

but if we are infected with hate and infected with the lack of knowledge who

infected with the lack of knowledge who

infected with the lack of knowledge who these people really are

these people really are

these people really are what’s inside what’s driving them we

what’s inside what’s driving them we

what’s inside what’s driving them we could partake of losing our wonderful

could partake of losing our wonderful

could partake of losing our wonderful democracy thank you very much

democracy thank you very much

democracy thank you very much [Applause]

”

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