Profiles in Courage

On September 15, 1972, the first indictments of the Watergate scandal began with the prosecution of James W. McCord, Frank Sturgis, Bernard Barker, Eugenio Martinez, and Virgilio Gonzalez, the burglars of the Watergate Hotel. President Nixon never admitted being involved in any part of the burglary of the Democratic National Committee. Senator Baker, who had previously been considered a good friend of President Nixon, decided that while Nixon had not been formerly charged yet, he would not support a corrupt administration while he was in office just because he was a member of the party in which Nixon resided. Despite pressure from the Republican Party and the loss of millions of votes from his home state, Tennessee Senator Howard H. Baker Jr. strongly believed in the impeachment of President Nixon.

The seriousness of this matter to the Republican Party shows just how courageous an act it was for Senator Baker to oppose them in this matter. During the Watergate hearings, Baker served as vice-chairman on the Watergate Special Prosecution Force, the group that would be interrogating witnesses and suspects along with investigating further into the matter. Throughout the investigation Baker was not hesitant to ask questions repeatedly, pointing out that the answers they provide are under oath. The way Senator Baker handled himself on the committee caught the eye of many people, including both Republicans and Democrats throughout the country although they reacted much differently to his fierce demeanor in discovering the truth. In a letter to Senator Baker, a self quoted "staunch Democrat" from his own state, felt it necessary to write him and "commend your excellent handling of yourself" during this "tremendous task you and the Committee have undertaken." This writer went on to say that she was at first skeptical at the idea that a republican well known to be a friend of Nixon's would be co-chairman to the investigative committee thinking that they "needed a yes-man for the President".

Other letter writers, especially members of the Republican Party, were not so pleased with his departure from partisan politics to a more heart felt approach. Another writer from Tennessee, this time a republican, harshly criticized him. Several times throughout the letter he mentions his belief that the committee is "out to get President Nixon". He also points out that he had always voted for Baker but now has lost faith in him as a Republican Party member.

As the investigation progressed, it became known that the defendants in the first indictment had committed perjury, and made accusations that it was done under the influence of John Dean, counsel to the President and John Mitchell, the Attorney General. These allegations of cover-up and obstruction of justice by the two of the highest ranking officials in Nixon's administration only lowered