Today marks the 50th anniversary of President Richard Nixon’s announcement of his resignation following the Watergate scandal. Before deciding to step down, the embattled Republican sought help from a prominent Alabama political leader in a final attempt to save his presidency.
In a post-resignation interview, Nixon named the elected official and details of their conversation.
“Well, I decided to call him. So at 3:00, I picked up. The phone operator got him in Montgomery, Alabama.”
But the call with Wallace didn’t bring the news Nixon had hoped for.
“He said at first it was very difficult for him to hear me. Finally, when the connection came through, he said he hadn’t had a chance really to study this whole matter,” Nixon said. “He said, ‘I’m praying for you.’ He says ‘I’m very much sorry. I’m very sorry that this ordeal had to be brought upon you, but I don’t feel that I can really talk to Flowers because he might resent my doing.’”
“So, if I change my mind, however, I’ll let you know.”
Nixon was aware of his fate before the conversation ended. “The call had taken only six and a half minutes, but as I hung up on the phone, I knew it was all over.
“I turned to Al, I said ‘well there goes the Presidency.’”
Austen Shipley is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on X @ShipleyAusten
