Am 78, my timeline of Watergate and now - 1972 McGOVERN, 1974 Watergate hearings

[H2O Man]

6. Fred is sometimes

given credit for that line, although generally in things from decades later. This included when he ran for president in 2008. What is certain is that at the time, the line was supposed to help Nixon, but it was asked to John Dean. Lawyers should never ask a question that do not know the answer to.

What is certain is that Nixon considered Fred to be "not very smart." When Haldeman told Nixon that Baker had picked him to be on the Senate committee, Nxon said, "Oh shit! That kid." (Feb 22, 1973 tape)

He is also known for asking Butterfield about the White House taping system. This was not a spontaneous question, as many thought. It had come out in earlier meetings behind closed doors. It was Fred who warned the White House that the Senate was aware of the taping system.