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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2009
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5

Times Nearly Scooped Post on Watergate

37 years later, reporter reveals FBI chief Gray tipped him off

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(Newser) – The Watergate scandal made the careers of Washington Post reporters Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein, who broke the story. But the Post nearly got scooped by the New York Times, according to ... the New York Times. Nearly 37 years after the fact, a reporter briefly at the Times says he sat in shock as FBI director L. Patrick Gray revealed that former AG John Mitchell was "involved in a cover-up," and suggested Richard Nixon was involved.

The reporter told his editor at the Times' Washington bureau, but both soon left DC. The tip was never developed into a full story, and the journalist protected Gray's confidentiality until his editor published a memoir last month. If true, it means that both of the top figures at the FBI were providing leaks: Gray to the Times, and deputy Mark Felt—"Deep Throat"—to the Post.

Richard Nixon says goodbye to members of his staff outside the White House in Washington as he boards a helicopter for Andrews Air Force Base after resigning the presidency, Aug. 9, 1974.
Richard Nixon says goodbye to members of his staff outside the White House in Washington as he boards a helicopter for Andrews Air Force Base after resigning the presidency, Aug. 9, 1974.   (AP Photo/File)
President Richard Nixon speaks near Orlando, Fla., in 1973.
President Richard Nixon speaks near Orlando, Fla., in 1973.   (AP Photo)
Reporters Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein's Watergate papers are seen on display at the Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center at the University of Texas.
Reporters Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein's Watergate papers are seen on display at the Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center at the University of Texas.   (Getty Images)
John Mitchell, the attorney general who resigned to run Nixon's reelection campaign.
John Mitchell, the attorney general who resigned to run Nixon's reelection campaign.   (Getty Images)
Richard Nixon announces his resignation on national television, following the Watergate scandal.
Richard Nixon announces his resignation on national television, following the Watergate scandal.   (Getty Images)
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5 comments
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Reader64481089
May 25, 09 8:02 AM CDT
Of course they were providing leaks, it's all part of the game. You build enough to get rid of who you do not like and then you "leak it" same old thing each day Reply
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nick
May 25, 09 8:51 AM CDT
And your suggestion for change is ... Reply
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0
TerrifiedCitizen
May 25, 09 1:28 PM CDT
One suggestion for change is that this most recently 'escaped' administration is held to the same standard of law that previous one's were. Cheney and his puppet president are guilty of much more than Nixon and yet continue to evade prosecution as the people who say they want law and order stand quietly by like they're anesthetized... Reply
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+6
IN RESPONSE:
mickey61988
May 25, 09 2:42 PM CDT
I agree, this country stands for the rule of law and I see that rule slowly sliding through the cracks in this government. Obama should forget politics and push the A.G. to do whats right. The media should also hammer this into the publics mind so they in turn can hammer their congressmen.
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+3
anchower
May 25, 09 3:25 PM CDT
A near scoop is like an almost base hit. Reply
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+1
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