ULTRA RARE! Nixon Jokes With Crew Minutes Before Resigning
ULTRA RARE! Nixon Jokes With Crew Minutes Before Resigning
Forty years ago today, 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.
The CBS crews handled the pool coverage the night of August 8, 1974 with two Norelco PC70s…one as primary and one as a backup. It seems that Nixon’s grandiosity was on display as he asked if one was an NBC camera in case the CBS camera had problems. Sensing a historic moment, a smart network tape operator started recording even before Nixon entered the office.
A lot of his personality is revealed here as he admonishes White House photographer Oliver (Ollie) Atkins for doing his job and wants everyone out of the room except the CBS crew…even the Secret Service is asked to leave, but I think they were required to stay.
At the 7 minute mark, his speech starts and the whole thing is here. Thanks to Kevin Vahey for reminding me of this historic video. Enjoy and share.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zLHc8NR_v-8&feature=youtu.be
Help us caption and translate this video on Amara.org: http://www.amara.org/en/v/B1oT/ Moments before he goes on-air to resign as President of the United Sta…
I read that the CBS camera comment was a veiled reference to Dan Rather, who was notoriously impolite to Nixon at press conferences, as in “It would be a shame if CBS was the only network without video of this speech.”
Watch the Nixon tapes. It is on HBO and you will understand why he spent the remainder of his life trying to repress them.
Really shows how he can compartmentalize.
Hard to believe it’s been 40 years. One of those moments in history that you will always remember regardless of whether you felt sadness or joy at was was occurring.
Very cool to watch!
I’m amazed that he was do jovial and relaxed just moments before addressing the Nation w/ his now famous speech…
40 years ago… That’s amazing!
The Pelley show had a great piece on the CBS tech guy in the room http://www.cbsnews.com/news/scared-to-death-cbs-cameraman-recalls-the-night-nixon-resigned/