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H: And look like dopes.
P: And, in effect, look like a coverup.
∎
P: Another way to do it then. Bob, and John realizes this, is to continue to try to cut our losses. Now we have to take a look at that course of action. First it is going to require approximately a million dollars to take care of the jackasses who are in jail. That can be arranged. That could be arranged. But you realize that after we are gone, and assuming we can expend this money, then they are going to crack and it would be an unseemly story. Frankly, all the people aren't going to care that much.
D: That's right.
P: People won't care, but people are going to be talking about it ... The second thing is, we are not going to be able to deliver on ... clemency.
The President considers convening a new grand jury to investigate Watergate as preferable to the Watergate committee. The sessions would be private, and rules of evidence would apply.
D: You can take the Fifth Amendment.
P: That's right.
H: You can say you have forgotten too, can't you?
P: You can say I don't remember. You can say I don't recall.
The conversation returns to Hunt; Dean fears that he is the most likely of the convicted Watergate conspirators to give the true story unless he is paid.
P: That's why for your immediate things you have no choice but to come up with the $120,000, or whatever it is. Right?
D: That's right.
P: Would you agree that that's the prime thing that you damn well better get that done?
D: Obviously, he ought to be given some signal ...
P: [Expletive deleted] Get it.
In view of this curt command, it would be hard to argue, as the President has, that he did not approve of the hush money. This simple order, allowing no misinterpretation by Dean, may constitute the single most impeachable offense in the entire transcript.
Nixon asks how the money would get to Hunt.
D: You have to wash the money. You can get $100,000 out of a bank, and it all comes in serialized bills.
P: I understand.
D: And that means you have to go to Vegas with it or a bookmaker in New York City. I have learned all these things after the fact. I will be in great shape for the next time around.
H: [Expletive deleted]
P: Well, of course you have a surplus from the campaign. Is there any other money hanging around?
The reply: there is none. Nixon tells his aides that "delaying is the great danger to the White House area."
A few hours later, according to grand jury testimony, Hunt's attorney received $75,000. Next day John Mitchell flew down from New York. He told Ehrlichman that Hunt was no longer a "problem."
MARCH 22,1973, 1:57 P.M.
The Presidential office in the Executive Office Building [E.O.B.]. Present: The President, Haldeman, Dean, Ehrlichman (E) and John Mitchell (M).
During a strategy session on Watergate options The President is concerned that Dean should finish a report on the scandal to be used as a public relations position paper. Nixon tells Dean not to get into specifics.
D: I am talking about something we can