http://www.nytimes.com/learning/general/onthisday/big/0908.html
An Adverse Aspect
The only adverse aspect of today’s action from Mr. Nixon’s point of view is that he can now be more easily forced to testify in the forthcoming trial of several of his former aides accused of obstruction of justice in the Watergate case. The defendants have already subpoenaed the former President for the trial scheduled to open Sept. 30, and Mr. Nixon, having been pardoned, cannot decline to testify under the Fifth Amendment, which protects citizens against self-incrimination.
Mr. Ford’s action today was a sharp reversal from the position his aides conveyed as he ascended to the Presidency on Aug. 9.
What would be done about prosecuting the former President was even then a major question, because Mr. Nixon admitted in a statement of Aug. 5 that he had ordered a halt to the investigation of the Watergate burglary, for political as well as national security reasons. Tape recordings released at the same time documented this.
You can bet Lanny Davis is running the cash register like a busted slot machine over this! LOL!