Worse than Watergate

The press hated Richard Nixon—but he gave them a lot to work with. Today, there is a Watergate-like press feeding frenzy, and it is against the entire presidency of George W. Bush. The present media environment may even be worse than Watergate—as former Nixon hands can attest.

Chuck Colson says, “I think the attack on Bush has been if anything more vicious. We started out with the press disliking Nixon and Nixon disliking the press. We inherited a very unpopular war. The attacks on Nixon were more understandable.” He adds, “It does seem to me now worse than it was then, because it’s so unprovoked.”

About the Author

Stephen Spruiell

Stephen Spruiell is a former staff reporter for National Review Online.

The press hated Richard Nixon—but he gave them a lot to work with. Today, there is a Watergate-like press feeding frenzy, and it is against the entire presidency of George W. Bush. The present media environment may even be worse than Watergate—as former Nixon hands can attest.

Chuck Colson says, “I think the attack on Bush has been if anything more vicious. We started out with the press disliking Nixon and Nixon disliking the press. We inherited a very unpopular war. The attacks on Nixon were more understandable.” He adds, “It does seem to me now worse than it was then, because it’s so unprovoked.”