August 8, 1974…Nixon Jokes With Crew Minutes Before Resigning
August 8, 1974…Nixon Jokes With Crew Minutes Before Resigning
Forty two years ago, President Nixon announced his resignation to the nation from the Oval Office of The White House. The first seven minutes of this video capture his pre broadcast remarks which, under the circumstances, are truly remarkable, and a bit disturbing.
The CBS crews handled the pool coverage that night with two Norelco PC70s. Sensing a historic moment, a smart network tape operator started recording even before Nixon entered the office. As you will see, a lot of his very odd personality is revealed here.
Although it is not shown, after the speech, he turned to the crew and wished them a Merry Christmas…in August. Well, it was Nixon, after-all.
At the 7 minute mark, his resignation speech starts and the whole thing is here. To bad he didn’t do this a year earlier. Enjoy and share. -Bobby Ellerbee
Moments before he goes on-air to resign as President of the United States, Richard Nixon is calm and collected, joking with staff as they set up the pool fee…
I was told to get over toABCs vine street theatre as the news division wanted to get the man on the street reaction to Nixons resignation.Anchor Judd Hambrick was on the street and the ABC crew wheeled out a Norelco pc.Anyway just before they were ready to go live from Washington DC to us in Hollywood,some long-haired drag queen in leotards is walking by and then i was told i was going to be the man on the street being interviewed instead of the drag queen and the countdown began…5-4-3-2-1 and then ran out of time.My ten seconds of fame out the window ! I was at ABC guest relations back then.I will never forget that.The drag queen was the only person on the street.They were frantic !
seems pale in comparison to what’s going on today
My mom had me listen to the Watergate hearings. I just wanted to watch Bugs Bunny or Speed Racer.
he thought he could make another comeback, when we all realized he had really gone.
By today’s standards, he would be a hero of sorts …. Ain’t that right Killary……..
Wow
I still have a reel to reel audio recording of this. My dad suggested that I record it a few minutes before it aired.
You could feel the history happening before your eyes.
I was only 9 years old at the time but I vividly remember watching this on TV as it happened.
When this happened, I listened to it on radio. I have since seen it but this is the first time I have REALLY seen it. I would love to know how he was when the speech was over. Love him or hate him, he was fascinating. Too bad he was such an awful person.
A member of that CBS crew, George Christian, still works in the Washington Bureau. http://www.cbsnews.com/news/scared-to-death-cbs-cameraman-recalls-the-night-nixon-resigned/