Word: agnew
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Predictably, Nixon's statement caused a furor. It was in no way diminished when Spiro Agnew followed up on a CBS interview with an accusation that the Senate had allowed itself to be taken in by "the worst snow job of any legislative body in history." More than two dozen Senators signed a letter charging that the President had "completely mistaken" the Senate's action and pledging that they would support a Southerner of Nixon's philosophical persuasion if he met "the high legal, judicial and ethical standards which we believe are required." Tennessee Democrat Albert Gore introduced a resolution...
...eight-vote margin and compared notes on which pro-Carswell Senators they might lose. To their consternation, they detected the same potential slippage that Bayh and Brooke had sniffed: the possible loss of Republicans Packwood, Fong and Percy, plus Democrat Dodd. That would not be fatal, since Vice President Agnew would break the tie in the Administration's favor, but it was highly dangerous. "We knew then that we were in trouble," one strategist recalls. The White House men scanned the Democrats who had voted for recommittal, hoping that they might be able to swing one of three Southerners: Arkansas...
Though the issue seemed decided, no one could be absolutely certain that all of the votes would be delivered on the roll call. Spectators were crunched into every inch of the galleries and scores of senatorial aides crowded the floor aisles as Vice President Agnew, fumbling, announced that "the question is on the nomination of George Howard Carswell." The clerk called "Aiken," and Vermont's senior Senator immediately answered "Aye." Then bells rang throughout the Senate side of the Capitol, signaling the start of the roll call, and the chamber fell silent...
...Republican Mark Hatfield dramatically extended a thumbs-down gesture to the clerk when his name was called. Prouty's "No" drew scattered applause, despite rules against such expression. When Maggie Smith delivered her negative vote, apparently motivated by anger at the White House, everyone knew it was all over. Agnew's official announcement of the count drew shrieks, cheers, applause and a few boos. The Vice President called for order, then directed that the galleries be cleared. Mansfield rose to move that the President be informed "immediately" of the outcome. Nixon, surprisingly, was neither watching television nor listening...
MOMENTS before voting began on the Carswell nomination, Robert Dole of Kansas turned his back on Vice President Agnew to speak directly to his fellow Republicans on the left side of the Senate chamber. Dole looked squarely at Marlow Cook of Kentucky, who had led the unsuccessful fight to confirm Clement Haynsworth. "The fate of G. Harrold Carswell rests on this side of the aisle," Dole said. "We will make the decision, as our votes will make the difference." Cook stared straight ahead. When his name was called to vote, he replied firmly...