I didn't think so at the time because I was a kid basically and believed in the "Nixon bad" propaganda. In retrospect: Richard Nixon - the greatest President of my lifetime...so far. Foreign Policy Genius. Decades ahead of his time. Interview videos are out there with him, search for them.
It wasn't until I watched interviews with him while he was still alive, read a couple of his books, read much of the transcripts of his Oval Office recordings that were released over the years, that I realized how great a president he was. The demonization of him by those who dislike, or outright despise him, is undeserved and just another tool the political opposition uses when it fits their narrative.
The transcripts and recordings state Nixon didn't know about and played no part in planning the Watergate fiasco. Had he known, he'd wouldn't have allowed it to happen. Why would he approve or do this? He was miles ahead in the polls and sailing to a landslide victory.
Upon learning of the break-in, he was furious. He did participate in the attempted cover-up instead of going public with it. Would the public have accepted an explanation from him?
Had Nixon said, "I didn't know about this. I had no knowledge of it and played no part in planning it. Those who planned and committed this have been fired, will face trial and if convicted face all consequences. I'm here to tell you this so there is full transparency," would he have been believed? I don't know. Nixon had his flaws, who doesn't? Still riding the election landslide, he might have made a case for himself and remained in office.
Probably one of the very few Presidents of his era (other than Ford, Carter and maybe Reagan) who didn't cheat on his wife. He loved "Pat" so much. Total respect to this man.
To my knowledge, the only President to forgo Secret Service protection after leaving office.
Two of his books I've read: "Six Crises" and "In The Arena." Both available online and free. Search for Archived PDF versions if interested.
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Since it's Presidents' Day: FJB.
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