[nwrep]

Of course, with Nixon and his liberal domestic policies out of office, and the man himself discredited, it was easier for the GOP to move right. A successful two-term Nixon would have had enough influence over the party to block the nomination of the far more conservative Reagan in '76 and '80. So, Katie, be careful of what you wish for.

Dude, this is a great point, one that will sail over the heads of the MSM. The exit of Nixon and the defeat of Ford emasculated the dominant Rockefeller wing of the Republican party. People forget how darn liberal Republicans used to be before Reagan came along. They were the first ones to champion birth control (Senator Bush), abortion (Senator Packwood) and even oppose the Vietnam war in the Senate. (Senators Javits and Hatfield)

[norton]

"The exit of Nixon and the defeat of Ford emasculated the dominant Rockefeller wing of the Republican party."

If you want to carry that a bit farther:
All this came only ten years after the dem party did it's turn around involving a much more violent "exit".

Just to have my opinion recorded:
Deep Throat sounds like a collection of Hoover FBI administrators - not just one.
And, from what I see in Felt's family - they'd skin the old boy and sell parts as souvenirs if the price was right.
Finally, yes, I think JFK was an engineered take over.

[AFPhys]

While you're at it, you probably note that a greater percentage of R's voted for the Civil Right's agenda and the rest of LBJ's Great Society than did D's.

Goldwater was a voice crying in the wilderness for conservatism. Watergate killed that wing of the R's - and opened up the opportunity for the present (more) Conservative movement.

We did pay a very high price, though, for it greatly weakened the US.