CIA operation (which the Helms memo seems to indicate it actually was after all) the multiple
layers of deception by the CIA are astounding. [fn 53]
Later on Nixon's last Monday, Bush joined White House Counsel J. Fred Buzhardt and Dean Burch
on a visit to Congressman Rhodes, and showed him the transcript of the smoking gun tape. "This
means that there's just no chance in the world that he's not going to be impeached," said Rhodes. "In
fact, there's no chance in the world that I won't vote to impeach him." Bush must have heaved a sighof relief, since this is what he had wanted Rhodes to tell Nixon to get him to quit. "Rhodes later let
it be known that he was offended that Bush had been briefed before he was," but of course, Bush
was a top official of the Nixon White House. [fn 54]
But Nixon still refused to quit, raising the prospect of a trial before the Senate that could bedamaging to many besides Nixon. The next day, Tuesday, August 6, 1974 saw the last meeting of (^)
the Nixon cabinet, with Chairman George in attendance. This was the Cabinet meeting described as
"unreal" by Bush later. Nixon's opening statement was: "I would like to discuss the most important
issue confronting this nation, and confronting us internationally too--inflation." Nixon then argued
adamantly for some minutes that he had examined the course of events over the recent past and thathe had "not found an impeachable offense, and therefore resignation is not an acceptable course."
Vice President Ford predicted that there would be certain impeachment by the House, but that the
outcome in the Senate could not be predicted. Otherwise, said Ford, he was an interested party on
the resignation issue and would make no further comment.
Nixon then wanted to talk about the budget again, and about an upcoming summit conference on
the economy. Attorney General Saxbe interrupted him. "Mr. President, I don't think we ought to
have a summit conference. We ought to make sure you have the ability to govern." Nixon quietly
assured Saxbe that he had the ability to govern. Then Chairman George piped up, in support of
Saxbe. The President's ability to govern was impaired, said George. The Republican Party was in ashambles, he went on, and the forthcoming Congressional election threatened to be a disaster.
Watergate had to be brought to an end expeditiously, Bush argued. From his vantage point at
Nixon's right elbow, Kissinger could see that Bush was advancing towards the conclusion that
Nixon had to resign. "It was cruel. And it was necessary," thought Kissinger. "More than enough
had been said," was the Secretary of State's impression. Kissinger was seeking to avoid backingNixon into a corner where he would become more stubborn and more resistant to the idea of
resignation, making that dreaded Senate trial more likely. And this was the likely consequence of
Bush's line of argument.
"Mr. President, can't we just wait a week or two and see what happens?", asked Saxbe. Bush startedto support Saxbe again, but now Nixon was getting more angry. Nixon glared at Bush and Saxbe,
the open advocates of his resignation. "No," he snapped. "This is too important to wait."
Now the senior cabinet officer decided he had to take the floor to avoid a total confrontation that
would leave Nixon besieged but still holding the Oval Office. Kissinger's guttural accents wereheard in the cabinet room: "We are not here to offer excuses for what we cannot do. We are here to (^)
do the nation's business. This is a very difficult time for our country. Our duty is to show
confidence. It is essential that we show it is not safe for any country to take a run at us. For the sake
of foreign policy we must act with assurance and total unity. If we can do that, we can vindicate the
structure of peace." The main purposrapid end, and it worked. "There was a moment of embarrassed silence around the table," recallse of this pompous tirade had been to bring the meeting to a (^)
Nixon, and after a few more remarks on the economy, the meeting broke up.
Kissinger stayed behind with Nixon to urge him to resign, which Nixon now said he felt compelled
to do. Bush sought out Al Haig to ponder how Nixon might be forced out. "What are we going to