Blind Ambition: The White House Years by Dean John W

Author:Dean, John W. [Dean, John W.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: History, Politics, Biography, Crime
ISBN: 9780671224387
Amazon: 0671224387
Goodreads: 883205
Publisher: Simon & Schuster/Gulf + Western Industries, Inc.
Published: 1976-11-08T08:00:00+00:00

* Richard Moore, special counsel to the President, who worked on public-relations projects at the White House.

* In early January 1973 Senate Majority Leader Mike Mansfield informed all the relevant executive departments and agencies of the impending Senate investigation, and requested that all documents that might relate to 1972 campaign practices or to Watergate be carefully maintained.

Chapter Eight

SCRAMBLING

Charles Norman Shaffer calls himself a simple country lawyer, but he prosecuted some of the toughest criminals of the sixties and went on to defend many others. Tall, athletically trim, with prematurely graying hair, he strikes a commanding presence in any crowd. Hogan arranged for us to meet at an apartment not far from Charlie’s office in Rockville, Maryland. The two of us reminisced briefly about the duck-hunting trip we’d once met on, but Charlie ended the pleasantries.

“Well, John, obviously you didn’t ask to meet with me to talk about old times. You’re a busy man, and so am I. What’s on your mind?”

“Just for the record, Charlie, this conversation is, of course, privileged?”

“Are you here to retain me as your lawyer?” he asked.

“Yes.”

“Well, then, whether I take your case or not, this is a privileged communication. You look like a man with some heavy problems,” he said.

“I am, Charlie, but I don’t want to talk about the President, or matters that might be considered national-security matters.” I was still a long way from telling anyone such things.

“I’m ready to listen. I can give you at least two hours, but I’ve got something on my schedule for this afternoon. So maybe you better start.”

For the next five hours I took Charlie through the highlights of what had happened. He sat silently. Occasionally he shook his head in disbelief and said, “I’ll be damned” or “No shit.” Only once did he interrupt, to call his office and cancel his appointment. As I told the story, I felt a great relief in getting the weight of it off my mind, sharing the burden with somebody else. Five hours was not enough to tell him all I knew, so we agreed to meet for another session.

“Well, Charlie, what do you think about what I’ve told you thus far?” I asked.

“Frankly, I’m overwhelmed. I want to think about it. I’ll tell you when we meet next if I can represent you, and we’ll talk further. I already think you should minimize your dealings with others as much as possible. Don’t talk facts with them. From what you tell me, it looks like this fella Ehrlichman is maneuvering to protect himself at your expense.”

Three days later, on the morning of April 3, we resumed our discussion. I realized how much he had absorbed. He asked a few sharp questions “to start separating the wheat from the chaff,” and told me he would represent me. I was encouraged. Finally I ended my recital with another “What do you think?”

“John, you’re in big trouble. Serious trouble.” My heart pounded. I had expected my lawyer to be more encouraging. “But your problem depends on a lot of things, lots of things.

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