Haunted by the Dean of Watergate

Vernon Meritt / Time & Life Pictures-Getty Images

Nixon at the Republican National Convention in 1968

By Michael Isikoff | NEWSWEEK

Published Jun 13, 2009

From the magazine issue dated Jun 22, 2009

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The war over Watergate never ends. The latest battle is over a decision by the Nixon Presidential Library to commemorate this week's 37th anniversary of the Watergate break-in by inviting an especially provocative speaker: John Dean, the former White House lawyer who pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice after testifying about his boss's role in the cover-up. The invitation from the library—which is now run by the National Archives—has outraged Nixon's dwindling loyalists, who have mounted a lobbying campaign to get the event canceled. "This is in poor taste," says Robert Odle, a former Nixon communications aide. "It's like having Monica Lewinsky speak at the Clinton library on the anniversary of President Clinton's impeachment."

The privately run Nixon Foundation, whose board members include Henry Kissinger, George Schultz and Nixon's daughters, Julie Eisenhower and Tricia Cox, is spearheading the anti-Dean campaign. In recent weeks it has sent letters to all the living presidents urging them to join its protest, warning that such "irrational and unbalanced" programming could dry up donors to their libraries. (None of the ex-presidents has weighed in, according to archives spokeswoman Susan Cooper.) The foundation also rescinded $150,000 in pledged funds for two library exhibits, including one commemorating the Apollo lunar missions during Nixon's presidency, though Cooper said the archives has approved extra funds so they can proceed. Foundation spokesman Richard Quinn described Dean in an e-mail as a "disbarred lawyer and convicted felon" and said the group wants more "non-partisan balance" at such events.

Caught in the crossfire is historian Timothy Naftali, who took over as the library's director two years ago when the Nixon library was handed over to the publicly run archives. Naftali said foundation officials have essentially compiled "an enemies list," noting that they also complained about his decision to invite ex-Watergate prosecutor Richard Ben-Veniste to speak this summer. "That's totally unacceptable," Naftali said, noting that Dean was a "serious participant" in Watergate events. Dean, for his part, seems to relish the flap and says he can't wait to unveil what he claims are damning new details about Nixon's Watergate role, which he culled from his research into the White House tapes. "They're going to be particularly unhappy when they hear what I have to say," he told NEWSWEEK.

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Posted By: sms29s66 @ 06/24/2009 9:43:47 AM

If the whole truth is too painful, then why is there a Nixon Library? Close the damn thing if all you want is the good stuff.
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Posted By: savalonia @ 06/19/2009 3:05:40 PM

I was impressed by the bold audacity of the leadership team at the Library to consider having Dean speak there. I was so thrilled at the possibility of hearing what he has to say, but upon further reflection, Dean's comment seems aimed at feeding our need for Schaudenfrade. Yes, the truth is long overdue. But, what purpose will it serve? Seriously, what purpose will it truly serve? Honestly, how will it benefit the office of the president, the trust in our elected officials, the respect for leadership and most of all, how will it help the family of President Nixon? They still have to deal with the shame and pain that his actions caused an entire nation. I am not advocating to sweep it under the rug, or censoring it. No, all I am saying is that all it does is stir up negative feelings and further dissention and anitipathy between the two ends of the political spectrum. Please, I am not asking that we hold hands and sign kum-ba-ya, but do not allow a shamefull chapter in our collective history to be a poor excuse for the "open" minded liberals to keep beating a dead horse. It's been dead, long, long ago. Let it go.
At the same time, it is sad to think that Mr. Dean still has dish to share. If he was so- principled why didn't he leave? Going along and singing like a bird when he got caught is not a way to define integrity or patriotism, he defined "each man to its own" mentality. He is a very lonely man indeed.
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Posted By: Sherry Caulk @ 06/16/2009 5:47:38 PM

The living presidents would never agree to a campaign against John Dean speaking at the anniversary of the Nixon library. John Dean is a living "truth teller" just like Bob Woodward & Carl Bernstein of the ills of our society and countrymen gone wrong. By the way, I happen to go to the William J. Clinton Presidential Library in Little Rock, AR. President Clinton "included" the info about Miss Lewinsky and that whole sordid "mess" truthfully at his library, it did not take him 30 years like it did Richard Nixon, and his family to include SOME OF THE TRUTH, NIXON WAS NOT ALLOWED GOV FUNDING BECAUSE OF THIS FOR YEARS, until it was turned over to a private maintenance group. I also, applaud President Clinton. He is more popular today than he ever was as President and that will continue. The conservative power grabbing coop did not work by the republicans. Thank God!