Richard Nixon resigns - August 8, 1974

"Good evening:

This is the 37th time I have spoken to you from this office, where so many decisions have been made that shape the history of this nation. Each time I have done so to discuss with you some matter that I believe affected the national interest. In all the decisions I have made in my public life I have always tried to do what was best for the nation.

Throughout the long and difficult period of Watergate, I have felt it was my duty to persevere -- to make every possible effort to complete the term of office to which you elected me. In the past few days, however, it has become evident to me that I no longer have a strong enough political base in the Congress to justify continuing that effort.

I would have preferred to carry through to the finish whatever the personal agony it would have involved, and my family unanimously urged me to do so. But the interests of the nation must always come before any personal considerations. 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.

America needs a full-time President and a full-time Congress, particularly at this time with problems we face at home and abroad. To continue to fight through the months ahead for my personal vindication would almost totally absorb the time and attention of both the President and the Congress in a period when our entire focus should be on the great issues of peace abroad and prosperity without inflation at home.

Therefore, I shall resign the Presidency effective at noon tomorrow.

Vice President Ford will be sworn in as President at that hour in this office."

Category:

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Tags:

• Richard
• Nixon
• Watergate
• resignation

[maxpowers518]

@wolverines447 Yep, the preserved head from Futurama.

[Gaara1135]

I don't believe personally that he should have been judged completely by the Watergate scandal, he did lots of great things as a president. Why on Earth every single American citizen forgot all the good things that he had done for them just because of a break in I can't tell.

[RonP713]

honorable? he took us off the last link to gold by executive order. thus giving us the chaos of fiat currency we have right now.

[rh1507]

I think I was around seven days old when Tricky Dick gave that speech. Nothing more. End Of Line

[EaglesMan36]

@AgentPepsi1

LOL.....Nixon wouldn't be conservative enough nowadays for you teabaggers.

[leoray1234]

@AgentPepsi1

He quit because he would have been impeached. Nothing more nothing less. Whether he's honorable is only your opinion. It certainly is not my opinion.

[WhiteMagic97]

America needs a full time President, and a full time Congress....... 38 years later

[ZacharyCraft2007]

@AgentPepsi1 HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAH­AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHA­HAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH­HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA­HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA­HAHAHAHAHAHAHA

[AgentPepsi1]

A dedicated, honorable man.  It is so unfortunate that Barrack Obama is not.

[FransisR]

@AgentPepsi1 oh please grow up.You guys wont even allow him to work.

[Ch1k3nSquad3]

@AgentPepsi1 Word

[Potatoxpotahto]

Im gonna find Barak obama on facebook, post this video, and say "TAKE THE HINT!"