Pres. Nixon didn’t want Fred Thompson as minority counsel during the Watergate hearings because he doubted the mental capacity of the future actor and lobbyist.
Thompson, then 30, was appointed counsel by his political mentor, Tennessee Sen. Howard Baker, the top Republican on the Senate committee. Thompson had been an assistant U.S. attorney in Nashville and had managed Baker’s re-election campaign…
Nixon was disappointed with the selection of Thompson, whom he called “dumb as hell.” Nixon did not think Thompson was skilled enough to interrogate unfriendly witnesses and would be outsmarted by the committee’s Democratic counsel.
This assessment comes from audiotapes of White House conversations recently reviewed by the Associated Press at the National Archives in College Park, Md., and transcripts of those discussions published in Abuse of Power: The New Watergate Tapes, by Stanley Kutler.
“Oh, s—, that kid,” Nixon said when told by his chief of staff, H.R. Haldeman, of Thompson’s appointment on Feb. 22, 1973.
“Well, we’re stuck with him,” Haldeman said.
The two were concerned that Thompson would be outgunned by much brighter lawyer John Dean, who was ready to desert their sinking ship. Appealing to Thompson’s strong partisan side helped him focus and prepare for the questioning.
Dean, the panel’s star witness, had agreed to tell what he knew if he was granted immunity.
Nixon expressed concern that Thompson was not “very smart.”
“Not extremely so,” [Nixon lawyer J. Fred] Buzhardt agreed.
“But he’s friendly,” Nixon said.
“But he’s friendly,” Buzhardt agreed. “We are hoping, though, to work with Thompson and prepare him, if Dean does appear next week, to do a very thorough cross-examination.”
Five days later, Buzhardt reported to Nixon that he had primed Thompson for the cross-examination.
“I found Thompson most cooperative, feeling more Republican every day,” Buzhardt said.
Later in the conversation, Buzhardt said Thompson was “willing to go, you know, pretty much the distance now. And he said he realized his responsibility was going to have to be as a Republican increasingly.”
That seems to be one lesson that got through Thompson’s thick skull and stuck.
That oughta help-out his unannounced presidential bid…
“NIXON THOUGHT I WAS “DUMB AS HELL,” BUT HE LIKED THAT I WAS “A COOPERATIVE REPUBLICAN” AND WOULD SAY WHATEVER HE WANTED ME TO…
SO, IF AFTER BUSH-CHENEY, YOU WANT A CORRUPT-REPUBLICAN IN THE WHITE HOUSE,
I AM YOUR MAN — VOTE FOR ME!”
Should make him real-popular with independents, Herb.
Dumb as hell will never again be considered a disqualifier to be pResident. GW Bush is clearly Dumb as Hell. Either that or he is Drunk as Hell. Take your pick. C Student somehow buys his way through college including graduate school, then fails at every “business” venture he tries, is very clearly outclassed in every campaign debate he takes part in, etc. Too many malapropisms to mention. He’s a moron, in my opinion. It’s been a case of What Can We Get Away With Next for the Republicans for the past several years.
Reagan proved that you don’t have to be a smart guy to be pResident. You just have to be able to read a script.
Not that it matters at all but who cares what he said.Look at who he thought WAS smart.
It is funny though. And you have to know he didn’t add allot of brian cells getting to this point.At least connected ones.
Well finally the Democrats are doing a good job in killing Thompsons canididacy before it get started. This story and the one on Thompson’s work for the abortion lobby will give him pause before throwing his hat in the ring for President.
After working with Thompson on several movies and a couple of “Law And Order” episodes, I must say, “He is not the kind of man you would want in the White House. He’s really an egocentric actor that has trouble following a script.” But come to think of it, he’s no worse than the idiot that is in office as President now.
George W. Bush has set the bar for presidential candidacy so low that if it were a limbo stick, it would be lying on the ground.
It’s no wonder that Rethuglicans, like Fred Thompson, are actually taken seriously by the radcons.
During the Watergate hearings John Dean nailed Thompson on the very point of his (Thompson’s) position as Nixon’s ‘mole’ on the committee.
Thompson: Mr. ah Dean let me ask you a few questions about ah your actions after the Watergate incident. And by asking you questions about your own personal involvement ah, ah hope I’m not ah considered to be badgering you in any way but I’m sure you realize as one lawyer to another …
Dean: I understand
Thompson: …that your actions and motivations are very relevant
Dean: In fact if I were still at the White House I’d probably be feeding you the questions to ask the person who’s sitting here
(Heavy laughter)
Priceless.
Having a high IQ is not
a Republican strong point, haven’t you noticed? But, you have to be very dishonest and stupid, among other dirty deeds. I would not vote for a Rethug for federal dog catcher. I have not seen an honest or smart one yet, not since the days of Eisenhower. He was the last. Nixon was actually smart; but, a crook. Reagan was dumb, Bush #1 was dumber, Bob Dole was a moron (with a 12 IQ). And I will agree that Thompson is not very impressive, but there is no way possible he can exceed the two IDIOTS, that occupy the White House at the present time, (bush & cheney). Someone should have given their mothers, rusty coat hangers whenever they conceived them.
This goes prove the that Republians should not be allowed to breed. All they produce are idiots and crooks
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So, it’s not just LAZY UGLY Freddy, but DUMB LAZY UGLY Freddy! Damn!
Reading these comments about Poor Fred makes me feel like I just wandered into the Socialist For the Legalization of Smoking Crack Society. You all need to stop that.
It makes you sound, well , ” DUMB AS HELL.”
Freds Thompson is the best!
Best abortion lobbyist?