Forty years ago this weekend, several burglars employed by the Committee to Reelect the President broke into the Democratic National Committee offices at the Watergate complex in an attempt to gather information on the Democrats. The burglary and the ensuing cover up orchestrated by Richard "Tricky Dick" Nixon and his merry gang resulted in jail terms for many and the resignation of Tricky Dick in August, 1974. These days, "gate" is appended to every gaffe, scandal and dirty trick imaginable. It also made a name for the once-great Washington Post. Charles Pierce in Esquire has a memorable piece on the legacy and meaning of Watergate.
Tricky Dick was found to have been in on the attempts to cover up and otherwise obstruct the investigation at a very early stage, along with former Attorney General John Mitchell, and top White House aides. His paranoia and lust for power eventually did him in, but it didn't stop the Rethugs from seeking revenge for the next 40 years. You might say President Clinton's sham impeachment was the Rethuglican book- end to the revenge but their hatred continues. Much to their chagrin, Clinton has fared far better in public opinion than either Tricky Dick or the latter day Rethugs.
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