1974 Sam Ervin And Nixon Analysis
Document Analysis
“Statement on the Impeachment of Richard Nixon” 1974 Sam Ervin
One of the most important figures of the Watergate affair was Sam Ervin. In 1946, the Southern Democrat served a brief term in Congress after the death of his brother. In 1954 he entered Congress again after the death of U.S Senator Clyde R. Hoey, and Ervin remained in the Senate until he retired in 1974. In 1972, Senate Majority Leader Mike Mansfield appointed Ervin to chair the Select Committee on Watergate.
Mansfield called him, “the only person who could have handled this assignment.” During his twenty years as a Senator, Ervin acquired a reputation as an authority on American Constitutional Law. Throughout his political career, Ervin was known to be very conservative; he opposed many civil rights and desegregation legislation, but he had independent judgment and unyielding dedication to constitutional principles. Ervin’s leadership was necessary for this task because he was visible …show more content…
“The stage was set for a great constitutional struggle between a President determined not to give up executive documents and materials and a Senate committee and a federal prosecutor who are determined to get them," The White House claimed “Executive Privilege” when they refused to disclose the recorded tapes of President Nixon and his aides. Nixon and his advisors became arrogant with their possession of power. The Executive Branch was disrupting the balance of power and the separation of powers written into the Constitution. No Branch, elected official, governmental worker, or even the President is above the law, but Nixon definitely
“Statement on the Impeachment of Richard Nixon” 1974 Sam Ervin
One of the most important figures of the Watergate affair was Sam Ervin. In 1946, the Southern Democrat served a brief term in Congress after the death of his brother. In 1954 he entered Congress again after the death of U.S Senator Clyde R. Hoey, and Ervin remained in the Senate until he retired in 1974. In 1972, Senate Majority Leader Mike Mansfield appointed Ervin to chair the Select Committee on Watergate.
Mansfield called him, “the only person who could have handled this assignment.” During his twenty years as a Senator, Ervin acquired a reputation as an authority on American Constitutional Law. Throughout his political career, Ervin was known to be very conservative; he opposed many civil rights and desegregation legislation, but he had independent judgment and unyielding dedication to constitutional principles. Ervin’s leadership was necessary for this task because he was visible …show more content…
“The stage was set for a great constitutional struggle between a President determined not to give up executive documents and materials and a Senate committee and a federal prosecutor who are determined to get them," The White House claimed “Executive Privilege” when they refused to disclose the recorded tapes of President Nixon and his aides. Nixon and his advisors became arrogant with their possession of power. The Executive Branch was disrupting the balance of power and the separation of powers written into the Constitution. No Branch, elected official, governmental worker, or even the President is above the law, but Nixon definitely