defense of traditional values–when Eagleton left the ticket hewas replaced by Sargent ShriverNixon won overwhelmingly (61% popular vote–carried every state but Mass), but Democrats kept control of CongressWatergate–loss of faith in federal governmentParalyzing effect on political system at a critical time in US and foreign affairsParanoia due to the negative press over the Cambodia bombing (NYT exposé) and Pentagon PapersJune, 1972–Nixon’s reelection committee members caught breaking into offices of Dem national headquarters inWatergate complexin Wash, D.C.–part of illegal activities and tricks of the Committee to Re-Elect the President(CREEP)–break-in apparently orderedbyJohn MitchellNixon had wiretapped gov’t employees and reporters to stop news leaks (ex:Cambodia earlier) –very suspicious of the press–“plumbers” were to stop the leaks (G. Gordon Liddy and Howard Hunt)- White House created an“enemies list” of prominentAmericans who had opposed Nixon, Vietnam War, etc.–investigations of people on the list - attitude that any means could be used topromote national security–Nixon apparently did not order or have prior knowledge of the break-in but was involved in anillegal cover-up to avoid scandalReportersBob WoodwardandCarl Bernsteinof theWashington Postwrote a series of articles on the scandal that played a decisiverole in exposing the misdeeds of the Nixon administration - source of their information was“Deep Throat”(revealed in 2005 as MarkFelt–a top FBI official)Watergate “burglars” sentenced by federal judge John Sirica–led to use of money and promise of pardons by White House staff tokeep burglars quiet–Senate investigation committee headed byDemocrat Sam Ervin of N C brought abuses to the public through
