Word: haig
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Dates: during 1980-1989
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...Haig tactfully called on me the next morning. He would not accept the position without my blessing, he said; it was only for a week or so anyway. This was, of course, nonsense. Given his high commitment to service, Haig would not refuse a request by the President no matter how I might feel about it. I told Haig with conviction that he had to accept, even though it would probably mean the end of his military career. Haig replied that when he had gone on patrol in Viet Nam, he had risked not only his career but his life...
Soon Nixon, not yet ready for a direct confrontation, telephoned. Infinitely ingenious, he had come up with an irresistible argument for Haig's appointment: it was designed to enhance my influence; it was aimed at, of all people, Agnew. Haig was essential, said the President, to keep Agnew from "trying to step into things. Well, Agnew can't-we just can't allow that to happen." It was mind boggling to think that a Chief Executive needed a high-powered chief of staff to control a Vice President who was in no position to "step into things...
...sought to keep the Government going had no idea when another eruption would start. For nearly two months the torrent of revelations seemed unending. Among the most startling was the disclosure that Nixon had been tape-recording conversations since early 1971.1 learned about it soon after Haig became chief of staff. He told me to be careful about anything I said in the Oval Office; it contained a voice-activated recording system...
...Joint Chiefs, thought I would be most comfortable with an officer with advanced degrees from famous institutions. Having taught at Harvard, I rated somewhat lower the wisdom evidenced by such degrees. I sought a more rough-cut type, someone with combat experience, familiar with operational planning. Alexander M. Haig Jr., then a colonel at West Point, was recommended by conservatives and liberals. I offered him the post after one interview...
...Haig soon became indispensable. As my deputy after the first year, he disciplined my anarchic tendencies and established coherence in a National Security Council staff of talented prima donnas. He acted as my partner, strong in crises, decisive in judgment, skillful in bureaucratic infighting, indefatigable in his labors...