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HP: It is not going to come out neat and clean ... with respect to either one of them.
∎
HP: I think with respect to the obstruction of justice thing is concerned, it is easy for me to see how they fell into that, if you like.
P: Yeah. Uh, huh. Rather than being directly conspirators?
HP: That's right. That's right.
P: And there is a difference in that respect...
HP: A difference, at least, in moral culpability ...
In plain terms of ultimate embarrassment...
P: The embarrassment is there, but in terms—basically in terms of motive which might be the legal culpability, they might be off but in terms of embarrassment they would have to be out of the Government?
HP: Yes, Sir.
P: I get your point and, frankly, either one is enough.
APRIL 16, 1973, 9:50 A.M.
The Oval Office. Present: the President, Haldeman and Ehrlichman.
The three assemble to discuss Dean, who is due in ten minutes; apparently they have agreed that he has to go, but the question is how. Two letters have been prepared for Dean to sign, one offering his resignation and the other requesting a leave. Then the President and his two closest aides discuss "scenarios" for explaining their way out of a difficult situation.
P: I would like also a scenario with regard to the President's role, in other words, the President—
E: Ziegler has just left my office. He feels we have no more than twelve hours. He's got some input from the Post and he estimates unless we take an initiative by 9 o'clock tonight it will be too late.
Apparently worrying about what revelations might be forthcoming, the three discuss whether the White House should take the initiative by issuing a statement detailing what is being done to further the investigation. No firm decision is made.
APRIL 16, 1973, 10 A.M.
The Oval Office. Present: the President and Dean.
P: You will remember we talked about resignations, etc., etc. that I should have in hand. Not to be released.
D: Uh, huh.
P: But that I should have in hand something or otherwise they will say, "What the hell. After Dean told you all of this, what did you do?" You see?
D: Uh, huh.
P: But what is your feeling on that? ...
D: Well, I think it ought to be Dean, Ehrlichman and Haldeman [leaving together].
P: Well, I thought Dean at this moment.
D: Alright.
P: Dean at this moment because you are going to be going and I will have to handle them also. But the point is, what is your advice? You see the point is, we just typed up a couple just to have here which I would be willing to put out. You know ... In the event that certain things occur.
∎
D: Uh, huh.
P: First, what I would suggest is that you sign both.
Supremely wary, Dean avoids signing the letters, but volunteers to draft one of his own "putting in both options." Later he soothingly assures Nixon, "You are still five steps ahead of what will ever emerge publicly," and the President, quoting Petersen, says hopefully that "the obstruction of justice thing is a [expletive