President Richard Nixon resigned in 1974 when it became clear that he would be not only impeached but likely removed from office. I still have a vivid memory of the day that he resigned. There were rumors that it might happen, but I was spending the night at my mother-in-law’s house, and she was a huge Nixon supporter. I was hoping with all my heart that Nixon would at least have the decency to postpone his resignation until after I had left her house. I didn’t want to have to listen to her defend Nixon once again.
But he resigned that day, and the speech he gave was a disgrace. He continued to refuse to admit he had done anything wrong, which delighted my mother-in-law. He said:
“From the discussions I have had with congressional and other leaders, I have concluded that because of the Watergate matter, I might not have the support of the Congress that I would consider necessary to back the very difficult decisions and carry out the duties of this office in the way the interests of the nation will require. I have never been a quitter. To leave office before my term is completed is abhorrent to every instinct in my body. But as president, I must put the interests of America first.”
