New Watergate book says John Dean ordered break-in

Reuters ^ | May 19, 2008 | Steve Holland

[tlb]

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A new book on the scandal that brought down President Richard Nixon alleges that White House counsel John Dean ordered the infamous Watergate break-in in 1972, a charge Dean strongly rejected.

James Rosen, a Fox News Channel correspondent in Washington, made the charge based on interviews and an exhaustive review of documents for "The Strong Man: John Mitchell and the Secrets of Watergate."

Dean called Rosen's assertion "pathetic."

Rosen quoted from a 1990 interview from another central Watergate figure, Jeb Magruder, that "the first plan that we got had been initiated by Dean."

To help build his case, Rosen quoted from a statement that Magruder made in a legal deposition in 1995 about "Gemstone," Watergate planner G. Gordon Liddy's code-name for the burglary:

"Question: 'Is it true that John Dean was one of the people in the White House that was pushing for the Gemstone plan?'

"Magruder: 'Yes.'

"Question: ... Is it, in fact, truthful that you and John Dean had prior knowledge of the Watergate break-in?'

"Magruder: 'Yes."'

Dean told Reuters, "I hope this book is being sold as fiction, for if it is not, readers are being defrauded."

"His conclusions are pathetic. Rosen has simply ignored all the sworn testimony to the contrary, including my own," he said.

Rosen's book also alleges that the doomed wiretapping was deliberately sabotaged by the CIA.

Rosen says he had a rich trove of previously undiscovered information to scour for his book, including 5,000 pages of executive session testimony by key witnesses before the Senate Watergate committee, including Dean, Magruder, James McCord, E. Howard Hunt and Alexander Haig.

[tlb]

It will be interesting if this gets someday nailed down. I'm guessing Dean won't sue.

[IMissPresidentReagan]

John Dean is not one of my favorite people to put it mildly. He would sell his soul to save his hide.

[arderkrag]

This would be much more interesting if it was Jimmy Dean.

[Jeff Chandler]

The headline reads

New Watergate book says John Dean ordered break-in

but if Dean was not a media darling, but a media enemy, the headline would read

John Dean ordered Watergate break-in, new book says

.

[Lancey Howard]

One of the best non-fiction books I ever read in my life was ‘Silent Coup’.
I am looking forward to this book.

[IMissPresidentReagan]

Forgot to add to my post
"His conclusions are pathetic. Rosen has simply ignored all the sworn testimony to the contrary, including my own," he said.

I love how Dean thinks that his testimony should be the deciding factor in how people judge the authenticity of this book. Yea, it's totally beyond the realm for someone to "misconstrue" the truth (under oath or not) to save their tookus.

[massgopguy]

“There is nothing lower than the Agent Provocotuer.” - Churchill

[Lancey Howard]

He makes good sausages.

[ElkGroveDan]

Despite my young age at the time I was somewhat of an authority on all things Watergate I read the news cover to cover on it all every day. Afterwards I devoured everything I could read by everyone involved. That said, I think this charge is a bit silly. (and I'm no defender of Dean who is a complete ass in my opinion.)

[threeleftsmakearight]

Correct. By the time “history” is done with him, Dean will be portrayed as just another victim. He was forced to be involved by some super-secret arm of the CIA that only helps Republican presidents do their dastardly deeds. In fact, I believe it was Karl Rove himself who held the gun to his head.

[Eye On The Left]

Daniel Ellsberg, btw, who 'acquired' the Pentagon Papers and then passed them along to the New York Slime...i mean Times , is a signatory to the 'World Can't Wait' call to 'Drive Out the Bush Regime'. World Can't Wait--Drive Out the Bush Regime is a Maoist front organization for the Revolutionary Communist Party founded by Charles Clark Kissinger , a longtime leader of the Revolutionary Communist Party .

Watergate timeline:

"1964: U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War officially begins.

Daniel Ellsberg begins work at The Pentagon.

Ellsberg acquires the Pentagon Papers.

Ellsberg gives copies to Neil Sheehan.

June 13, 1971: The New York Times begins to publish them.

The Washington Post soon follows. Richard Nixon reacts with outrage."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Watergate_timeline

[miele man]

Yes, that book was VERY informative and quite helpful in sorting out what actually happened. Dean, of course, blasted the book.

[twigs]

But I’ve always thought Rosen was a careful journalist. I’d give him more credibility over Dean, at least enough to consider his charges.

[PLMerite]

My theory is that it had something to with Dean’s wife, who before they got married was rooming with a hooker who may or may not have been one of the hookers the Dems were running to reward donors and political allies.

What kind of woman rooms with a hooker?

[clee1]

Who freakin’ cares?

[Diogenesis]

"I got the idea from my hot motorcycle-driving girlfriend."

[Dixie Yooper]

G. Gordon Liddy has been saying this on his talk show for years.

[freekitty]

Dean is a spineless, wimpy coward.

[MuttTheHoople]

G. Gordon Liddy has been claiming this for years.

[bmwcyle]

The first book that fingered Dean.