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Closing the Chapter on Watergate Wasn't Done Lightly
After extracting a pledge of secrecy, Ford told his top aide and speechwriter, Robert Hartmann, what had just occurred with Haig.
"Jesus!" Hartmann said. "What did you tell him?"
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The Life of Gerald R. Ford A look at the life of former president Gerald R. Ford before, during, and after his presidency. |
"I told him I needed time to think about it."
"You what?" Hartmann fairly shouted. Even entertaining any agreement of resignation for a pardon, Hartmann believed, was a monstrous impropriety that could taint a Ford presidency forever.
Ford didn't think so. He hadn't promised anything to Haig. He wanted to talk to his wife, Betty.
Betty Ford was firm that he shouldn't get involved in making any recommendations to Nixon or to Haig.
About 1:30 a.m., Ford called Haig.
"Al," he said, "our discussion this afternoon, I hope you understand there was no agreement, no decision and no deal."
There Wasn't a Deal
The next day, Ford told his adviser and former House colleague John Marsh about the visit from Haig and the options, including one in which Nixon would resign.
"I then, what I would do, I would give Nixon a pardon," Ford said.
Marsh couldn't believe it. "Look, you can't do this," he said gently.
"You could make a strong case for a pardon, that it would be in the national interest," Ford told Marsh.
