??OBAMAGATE??

In 1972 Richard Nixon was re-elected by a landslide over George McGovern.  Nixon won majorities in 49 states.  In 1973 at the start of his 2nd term, a cover-up buzz began swirling around Washington.  Two former Nixon aides, Gordon Liddy and James McCord, are convicted of conspiracy, burglary and wiretapping (January 30th). Crimes were committed but there were no injuries, no deaths, national security was not compromised, no distractive sex issue, and the election outcome was not affected, yet the cover-up buzz grew louder. 

In the ensuing months it became clear there was a cover-up, yet President Nixon continued to deny any knowledge or involvement.  The final blow came when Presidential Appointments Secretary Alexander Butterfield  reveals that the President had recorded all conversations and telephone calls in his offices.  The buzz turned into a roar and the entire episode collapsed after the discovery of the 18 minute gap in the tapes.

February 6, 1974 - The House of Representatives passed Resolution 803 by 410 - 4 to authorize the Judiciary Committee to consider impeachment proceedings against President Nixon. 

July 28, 1974 - The Judiciary Committee approves Obstruction of Justice Article to impeach President Nixon by a vote of 27 - 11 (21Democrats, 6 Repblicans vote yes).

August 9, 1974 - President Nixon becomes the first President to resign.  Whether the House and Senate would have successfully impeached the President is unknown (a 2/3 majority is required), but the President must have considered it probable that there were sufficient Republican "yes" votes.

Today America is faced with a crisis with similar overtones.  The American Embassy in Benghazi was attacked on 9/11.  Unlike Watergate there were deaths, injuries, a sex scandal, classified document exposure, property damage, possible affected election results and cover-up.  Do we dare postulate "OBAMAGATE"?  Will the Democrats like the Watergate Republicans willingly empower a select committee to get honest answers and all the facts? which currently seem to me very murky.

If President Nixon would have admitted to knowing about Watergate he might have been forgiven and completed his 2nd term.  President Obama's explanation of the Benghazi attack on 9/11 is going to be more difficult and a trip to a Las Vegas fundraiser on 9/12 certainly doesn't help.

                                                 God Bless America