Abuse of Power: The New Nixon Tapes

The tapes of Richard Nixon's conversations with political intimates compel our attention, capturing different facets and moods. He was alternately prosaic and articulate, self-centered and empathetic, sad yet often comical. We have no known record of such unguarded and frank talk by any other president. PRESIDENT NIXON: Here we go. What in the name of God are we doing on this one? What are we doing about the financial contributors? Now, those lists there, are we looking over McGovern's financial contributors? Are we looking over the financial contributors to the Democratic National Committee? Are we running their income tax returns? Is the Justice Department checking to see whether or not there is any antitrust suits? Do we have anything going on any of these things? HALDEMAN: Not as far as I know. PRESIDENT NIXON: We better forget the Goddamn campaign right this minute, not tomorrow, no. That's what concerns me. We have all this power and we aren't using it.