Trump Vs. Nixon
More more in recent weeks, President Trump is being compared to Richard Nixon. Much of this is due to what appears to be Trump’s attempts to cover up some potentially impeachable shenanigans concerning his election. Yogi Berra, “It’s deja vu all over again. Just add bellbottoms and some eight track tapes and it's 1973.
But comparing Trump to Nixon isn't really fair… to Nixon. While the comparisons are obvious, there are fundamental differences between the two individuals. Nixon was a grown-up both intellectually and emotionally. Having been in politics is whole adult life (including holding the position of vice president) Nixon had a thorough understanding of governing. Albeit after sabotaging President Johnson's attempt, Nixon did pull out of Vietnam. A decision I am truly grateful as I was a 17-year-old male at the time (I’m still a male, but regretfully no longer 17). Nixon also gets credit for creating the EPA, something Trump wants to do away with any time when it is most needed. Also, while we will never know for sure because of the lost 18 minutes of tape, Nixon never admitted to grabbing women’s pussies.
So all they really appear to have in common is the cover-up of possibly illegally influencing their presidential election. But the magnitude of the crimes they were/are suspected of differ greatly. Nixon was covering-up a simple break-in at the Watergate Hotel. Trump is being investigated for covering-up possible collusion with our greatest adversary in rigging the election in his favor and in effect diminishing the integrity of our democracy.
Having lived through Watergate, it's amazing to me that after just a little more than 40 years, I'd be defending Nixon as not the worst president of all time.