If Watergate had happened During Bush's presidency. . .

[Stargleamer]

There would not have been an 18 and half minute gap--ALL the tapes would have been wiped clean.

The one who wiped them clean would be convicted of evidence tampering but then would have their sentence commuted by Bush. No outrage would follow.

Executive privilege would be extended to the burglars themselves, and none would get convicted. They'd continue to have their day jobs.

Republicans would say Democrats are making a mountain out of a molehill, and that no big crime had been committed--just a few guys got caught trying to steal information that doesn't amount to much.

There would not even be a special prosecutor appointed.

No member of the Bush administration would resign. Executive privilege would be claimed for them all, and Biden would say "there's no smoking gun. . .".

The press would cover the story for a few months and then lose interest and follow another Bush scandal for a few months, and so on.

Add your own ideas!!!!

[pepperbear]

1. the "fall guy" would have been bush's executive secretary. n/t

[Jackpine Radical]

2. Burglary? What burglary? It was an anti-terrorist measure.

Therefore there was no underlying crime.

[Chipper Chat]

3. Cheney would have commandeered the Watergate Hotel,

expelled all the guests, and moved half the prisoners from Gitmo there. Bush would rename the hotel "Watermo"

[PATRICK]

4. Precisely what motivates them

There are key Nixon era aides who HAVE learned those lessons from Watergate. Their methodology is reactionary. The Capitol Dems on the other hand seem to have learned the least, to be amazed by the whole thing, and wanting even more now than they did then, to avoid the radical unpleasantries. That is why your list is so striking and clearcut but totally absent of a Dem response to any of the simple changes in the Nixon script.

[Berry Cool]

5. Congress would never have moved to impeach Nixon, despite public pressure

because, as the Dems would put it, "we don't have the votes." They would decide to "keep their powder dry" and wait until 1977, when Nixon would have to leave office. Better that they should focus on winning the election in '76 than run the risk of failing to successfully impeach and convict.

[deadmessengers]

6. Amazing how Nixon looks like the standard of Presidential honor n/t

[Totally Committed]

7. And, all the burglars would be doing commercials for MasterCard...

"Being caught beaking the law in the Bush administration.... Priceless!"

TC

[Demeter]

8. There Would Have Been a LOT of Dead People n/t

[AndyTiedye]

9. They Have Done Worse Than Watergate EVERY DAY And They Get Away With It