General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: The Nixon Tapes: 1971-1972 [View all]Smarmie Doofus
(14,498 posts)He seemed kind of stilted, robotic. My impression was that he turned "state's evidence" under pressure from the prosecutors. (I'm not the student of the period you are.But I did live through it and followed it fairly carefully.)
His narrative was somewhat suspect at that point as his intention was to minimize his own role and give the prosecutors the big prize, ( Nixon) in return for consideration for himself. (And that's pretty much what transpired.)
While Dean clearly was not acting out of any kind of altruism.... I basically believed the narrative to be truthful in its main points. ( So did everyone , eventually.)
The guy on the radio the other day seemed to be a different person altogether. (Naturally: he's not under threat of indictment for anything.) Spontaneous, sharp, somewhat charming .... and yes... *highly* intelligent.
I know he's moved to the "left" politically in recent years... esp as pertains Bush II and Cheney . I think he still ID's as a libertarian Conservative. He first came to the Nixon group through his association w. the Goldwater movement... if I'm not mistaken. Maybe he's comfortable now w. the Rand Paul wing now.
I didn't catch enough of the interview to get a full sense of him as a person.