President Refuses to Turn Over Tapes

[eppur_se_muova]

President Refuses to Turn Over Tapes; Ervin Committee, Cox Issue Subpoenas
Action Sets Stage for Court Battle on Powers Issue

By Carroll Kilpatrick
Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, July 24, 1973; Page A01

President Nixon set the stage yesterday for a major constitutional confrontation by refusing to turn over presidential tape recordings to either Senate Watergate committee or to Special Prosecutor Archibald Cox.

Cox immediately served a subpoena for the tapes on presidential counsel J. Fred Buzhart, who must respond in federal court by Thursday. The Senate Committee followed suit, serving two subpoenas on another presidential lawyer, Leonard Garment.

The committee chairman, Sen. Sam Ervin (D-N.C.), reacted to the President's decision with an emotional statement, saying:

"I deeply regret that this situation has arisen, because I think that the Watergate tragedy is the greatest tragedy this country has ever suffered. I used to think that the Civil War was our country's greatest tragedy, but I do remember that there were some redeeming features in the Civil War in that there was some spirit of sacrifice and heroism displayed on both sides. I see no redeeming features in Watergate."

The committee's vice chairman, Sen. Howard H. Baker (R-Tenn.), expressed disappointment at being "on the brink of a constitutional confrontation between the Congress and the White House." He added that the material sought by the subpoenas is "essential, if not vital, to the full, thorough inquiry mandated and required of this committee."
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more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/national/longterm/watergate/articles/072473-1.htm

For those who remember what happened next, this is comfort reading. :thumbsup:

[Greeby]

1. Sadly, there will be no tapes this time

A shame, because if there were they'd be riveting to listen to

[eppur_se_muova]

3. I think emails will do as well. nt

[seafan]

6. But there is a shadow RNC server in the WH that should be subpoenaed.

Don't give up! There will be lots more to reveal.

[eleny]

2. Yup, a very nicer refresher

Lock, load and keep your powder dry, boys! This is going to be a long haul. Another for the history books. Yee-haw!

[Mojambo]

4. It sure seems like this is it.

I know there's been a TON of "this is the tipping point" over the last few years, but.....

This feels like the one.

[solara]

5. Thank you for posting this..it's a very good frame of reference

a big k&r

:kick:




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(edit for typos)