two writing assignments by friday morning.

RUNNING HEAD: WATERGATE SCANDAL

Watergate scandal

Watergate Scandal

Joylyn Case

Rasmussen College- Vision of Am. Section 01

The cultural relevance of the article, promoter of the magazine and their political biases

The article was funded by 400 associated Press managing editors and to a greater extent the political opponents of President Nixon (Kilpatrick, 1973). They wanted to publicize the president’s view on the allegations that his administration was involved in vices, especially the Watergate Scandal. In the political scandal which occurred in the United States in the 70’s, the presidents administration was purported to have broken into the Democratic National Committee headquarters which was situated at Watergate office Complex in Washington. People were massacred and the issue had been in picture for the past few months, prior to the live session. Their political biases were that they never asked about the positive things that the president had done for the nation. They mainly focused in what was not done in the right way by the president’s administration.

They mainly asked about Watergate scandal, milk rise and tax evasion issues, all of which he were emphasized by the press in their questions. They capitalized on his political weaknesses instead of capitalizing on his strengths as well. The article purports the president as being involved in the dirty tricks like bugging the political opponents’ office out of suspicion. The information on the issues was got from an FBI director who was hired by the president’s opponents. The article depicted the president as a hypocrite who dismissed the claims without clear explanation. The article led to the president losing popular support due to the bias that was exhibited in the article. The president later resigned as a result of the scandals highlighted in the question answer session.

Article’s main point and the writer's message to his/ her readers

The main point of the article was to inform the reader about the turn of events during the hour long question answer session. In the Associated Press Managing Editors annual convention, the president disclosed a number of issues which were of concern to the entire society. The article relives the questions which the press asked on behalf of the society. The issues that the president was questioned about were about unpaid income taxes, Watergate scandal and a kickback from the milk lobby.

The article gives a clear description of the president’s responses. The article outlined that, the president, in his assertions, had acquitted himself in the best way. He was described as being composed and atop the subject throughout the session. It is only during the question about tax that he showed a little panic. He was said to never criticize his political enemies during the entire session. The article informs the reader that the president, on being asked about the issue of taxes which was reported on The Providence, R.I newspaper, never disputed the little figures which he was said to have paid in his refusal to paying income tax in 1971 and 1972(Kilpatrick, 1973).

The article also reminds the reader of the best part of the news conference, and described it as being the time when he defended himself on the claims that he had profited from his early years in public service. Accordingly, he declared that, he had previously made mistakes but he never profited from public service and he had also never obstructed justice. The article’s intention was to put across the message that the president did not end the questions over his honesty issues. The statement “I am not a crook”, was later used against him and the public associated it with the water gate scandal.

The magazines impact on popular culture

The magazine made an impact on the popular culture. The session was aired on the national television for every citizen to watch. The citizens became aware of the president’s stand concerning the Watergate scandal among the other issues which he tackled (Kilpatrick, 1973). After, the magazine published the article, the readers approved of the president’s skill in dealing with the questions. The president used some words while answering questions, some of which became common phrase in future dialogues. In his defense to the Watergate case, the president declared that he was not a crook and that he had never profited from his public service. The statement said by the president during the live interview session became popular among the society. It was adapted by television shows such as Family Guy and Saturday night live.

The magazine has made the president famous and he has been remembered for the way he answered the questions asked by press and the way he handled the situation has since been used as reference in lawsuits. Since the time, presidents of other countries have become democratic and give time for the press, in case of issues of concern for the entire public. Presidents are no longer feared by the press as it used to be in years prior to the publishing of the question answer session between President Nixon and the 400 associated Press managing editors. The session brings laughter to the society as a result of the statements uttered by president. He brought a sense of humor in the serious issue when he was asked what he did about energy conservation. He answered that he had saved energy by not allowing a backup aircraft to follow him on that particular trip to the press convention. He said that they would not impeach him if the plane he used went down.

Reference

Kilpatrick, C. (1973). “Washington Post:Nixon Tells Editors, 'I'm Not a Crook'”. Retrieved from http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/national/longterm/watergate/articles/111873-1.htm