With all the comparisons to Watergate when discussing “Russiagate”, today I decided to do some research on the parallels. What I really wanted to find out is what the Republican talking points were during Watergate. Some of the things coming out of Republican’s mouths today are so incredulous to me that I wanted to find out if Nixon’s consipirators were as complicit. Was there a Sean Hannity type back then? Nunes?
In my search I stumbled across a PodCast “Slow Burn” which is a fascinating series about some of the characters and circumstances surrounding Watergate. The first podcast was about Martha Mitchell and her role in being (or attempting to be) a whistleblower for Watergate. Martha Mitchell was John Mitchell’s wife (Nixon’s AG). I had NO idea. I had never heard much about Martha Mitchell at all, but I was very young back then.
Wow, what a fascinating character. Apparently the week of the Watergate break-in Stephen King, an ex-FBI man, was assigned as “security” for Martha Mitchell—his actual role was to keep an eye on her. When Martha put two and two together re: Watergate she tried to make a phone call to Helen Thomas, her favorite reporter. Stephen King overheard her, ran into the room, ripped the phone out of her hand and wrestled with her. She tried to get away so he summoned a doctor to give her a sedative (an actual injection), against her will. (Stephen King is now Trumps ambassador to Czech Republic).
For those who know much more about Watergate than I do the whole Martha Mitchell story is probably old hat. For me it was a revelation and I would love to learn more about Martha in particular. Apparently there was supposed to be a movie made about Martha Mitchell’s role in Watergate with the starring role going to Meryl Streep. Now THAT would have been a great movie. I don’t know why it was never made.
Some Martha Mitchell articles:
www.newsweek.com/…
www.theguardian.com/...