Nixon's gamble : how a president's own secret government destroyed his administration

"After taking the Oath of Office, Richard Nixon announced that 'government will listen... Those who have been left out, we will try to bring in' and signed National Security Decision Memorandum 2. Using years of research and newly released NSC and administration documents, Ray Locker upends conventional wisdom about the Nixon presidency and shows how the creation of this secret, unprecedented, extra-constitutional government undermined U.S. policy and values; and sowed the seeds of his own destruction by creating a climate of secrecy, paranoia, and reprisal that still affects Washington today"--Provided by publisher.;Prologue -- Part I. Taking the gamble -- Origins -- Nixon takes charge (1969) -- First moves (1969) -- The secret wiretaps (1969) -- The military's harsh awakening (1969) -- Cooking intelligence with SALT (1969-1970) -- The Cambodia sideshow (1970) -- Nixon's war with the FBI (1970) -- Chile (1970) -- Laos and other crises (1970-1971) -- China (1971) -- Pentagon papers and FBI (1971) -- India-Pakistan (1971) -- Triumphs (1972) -- Watergate and early cover-up (1972) -- Part II. The unraveling -- Early 1973 -- May 1973 -- The White House tapes -- Spy ring cover-up (1973-1974) -- Impeachment (1974) -- Epilogue: Ramifications. After Taking The Oath Of Office, Richard Nixon Announced That 'government Will Listen ... Those Who Have Been Left Out, We Will Try To Bring In' And Signed National Security Decision Memorandum 2. Using Years Of Research And Newly Released Nsc And Administration Documents, Ray Locker Upends Conventional Wisdom About The Nixon Presidency And Shows How The Creation Of This Secret, Unprecedented, Extra-constitutional Government Undermined U.s. Policy And Values; And Sowed The Seeds Of His Own Destruction By Creating A Climate Of Secrecy, Paranoia, And Reprisal That Still Affects Washington Today-- Taking The Gamble. Origins ; Nixon Takes Charge (1969) ; First Moves (1969) ; The Secret Wiretaps (1969) ; The Military's Harsh Awakening (1969) ; Cooking Intelligence With Salt (1969-1970) ; The Cambodia Sideshow (1970) ; Nixon's War With The Fbi (1970) ; Chile (1970) ; Laos And Other Crises (1970-1971) ; China (1971) ; Pentagon Papers And Fbi (1971) ; India-pakistan (1971) ; Triumphs (1972) ; Watergate And Early Cover-up (1972) -- The Unraveling. Early 1973 ; May 1973 ; The White House Tapes ; Spy Ring Cover-up (1973-1974) ; Impeachment (1974) -- Epilogue. Ramifications. Ray Locker. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. After being sworn in as president, Richard Nixon told the assembled crowd that “government will listen. ... Those who have been left out, we will try to bring in.” But that same day, he obliterated those pledges of greater citizen control of government by signing National Security Decision Memorandum 2, a document that made sweeping changes to the national security power structure. Nixon’s signature erased the influence that the departments of State and Defense, as well as the CIA, had over Vietnam and the course of the Cold War. The new structure put Nixon at the center, surrounded by loyal aides and a new national security adviser, Henry Kissinger, who coordinated policy through the National Security Council under Nixon’s command. Using years of research and revelations from newly released documents, USA Today reporter Ray Locker upends much of the conventional wisdom about the Nixon administration and its impact and shows how the creation of this secret, unprecedented, extra-constitutional government undermined U.S. policy and values. In doing so, Nixon sowed the seeds of his own destruction by creating a climate of secrecy, paranoia, and reprisal that still affects Washington today. "After taking the Oath of Office, Richard Nixon announced that 'government will listen ... Those who have been left out, we will try to bring in' and signed National Security Decision Memorandum 2. Using years of research and newly released NSC and administration documents, Ray Locker upends conventional wisdom about the Nixon presidency and shows how the creation of this secret, unprecedented, extra-constitutional government undermined U.S. policy and values; and sowed the seeds of his own destruction by creating a climate of secrecy, paranoia, and reprisal that still affects Washington today"-- Provided by publisher