"Cancer on the Presidency": John Dean explains the origins of the Watergate break-in, March 21, 1973

The Nixon Presidential Library and Museum presents a conversation from March 21, 1973, highlighting the Watergate scandal's internal complexities. Acknowledging the growing crisis close to the presidency, the discussion reveals issues of blackmail and perjury among the staff. The conversation traces the origins of the scandal to a campaign intelligence operation devised by Dr. Caulfield and later executed by Gordon Liddy, who had a background in FBI intelligence. Liddy proposed a controversial million-dollar plan involving illegal activities, which was met with shock by some involved. The conversation underscores the scandal's escalating nature and its impact on the presidency.

• The conversation highlights the escalating seriousness of the Watergate scandal, described as a "cancer" near the presidency.
• The problem is intensifying, growing daily, and is compounded exponentially, indicating a rapidly deteriorating situation.
• The crisis involves issues of blackmail and perjury, with individuals being forced to perjure themselves to protect others.

"We have a cancer within close to the presidency that's growing. It's growing daily if compounded rose geometrically now because it compounds itself."

• This quote emphasizes the severity and rapid escalation of the Watergate scandal, likening it to a cancer threatening the presidency.

"Basically, it's because one, we're being blackmailed. Two, departments are perjure yourself very quickly that have not had to perjure themselves to protect other people in the line."

• This quote outlines the critical issues at the heart of the crisis: blackmail and forced perjury, which are exacerbating the situation and implicating more individuals.

• The Watergate scandal began with discussions about setting up a legitimate campaign intelligence operation for the re-election committee.
• The initial plan involved consulting individuals experienced in campaign intelligence and operations.
• The discussions included methods such as infiltration and acquiring information from secretaries.

"It all started with construction to see if we couldn't set up a perfectly legitimate campaign intelligence operation over to the re-election committee."

• This quote highlights the initial intention to create a legitimate intelligence operation for campaign purposes.

"Not being in this business, I turned to somebody who had been in this business, Dr. Caulfield."

• This indicates the need for expertise in campaign intelligence, leading to consulting with Dr. Caulfield.

"Jackieo Naaman was your original bodyguard before they had Cannon and the protection of old New York City policemen."

• This reference provides context about personnel involved, indicating a reliance on experienced individuals for security and intelligence.

"Jack came up with a plan that you know, the normal infiltration and you know, buying information from secretaries and all that sort of thing."

• This quote reveals the plan's components, including infiltration and information acquisition, which were considered standard practices at the time.

• There was a consensus that the initial choice for leading a sensitive operation was not suitable.
• Gordon Liddy was chosen due to his intelligence background and previous sensitive work for the White House.
• Liddy was known for tracking leaks and handling delicate situations effectively.

"No consensus was that coffee and wasn't the man to do this retrospective might have been a bad call and he is an incredibly heartless person."

• The initial choice for the operation was deemed unsuitable due to a lack of consensus and perceived harshness.

"That's when I came up with Gordon Liddy who they needed a lawyer. Gordon had an intelligence background, was FBI service."

• Gordon Liddy was selected for his intelligence background and experience with the FBI, making him a suitable candidate for the operation.

"I was aware of the fact that he had done some extremely sensitive things for the White House while he's been at the White House."

• Liddy's previous experience with sensitive tasks at the White House made him a trusted choice for the operation.

"The report that I got from Roberta was that he was a hell of a good man and him not a good lawyer and it set up a proper operation."

• Despite not being a good lawyer, Liddy was highly regarded for his capability to establish effective operations.

• Liddy was introduced to Mitchell, who held him in high regard.
• Mitchell's involvement was partly why Liddy was considered for a position at the White House.
• Liddy was tasked with planning an intelligence operation.

"We copulating Liddy was interested in doing it took Liddy over to meet Mitchell. Mitchell thought highly of them because apparently Mitchell was partly involved."

• This quote highlights the introduction of Liddy to Mitchell and the latter's favorable opinion of him, which was crucial for Liddy's consideration for a White House role.

• Liddy was hired by the committee and tasked with creating an intelligence operation plan.
• The plan was presented as a million-dollar proposal involving illegal activities.
• The plan included extreme measures such as black bag operations, kidnapping, and using prostitutes to undermine opposition.

"Magruder called me in January and said I like that you come over and see ladies. Well, I don't really know as I'm a man but if you want me there I'll be happy to do walking over and then he laid out a million dollar plan that was the most incredible thing I ever laid my homing codes and involved black bag operations, kidnapping, providing prostitutes and weaken the opposition's love means to adjust it incredibly."

• This quote encapsulates the gravity and audacity of Liddy's plan, highlighting its illegal nature and the extreme tactics proposed to weaken opposition forces.