Ranking the Presidents #28

RICHARD M. NIXON (R) - 1969-1974

The 37th president is one of the most vexing in history. Had he just trusted his chances at re-election, and had he not allowed the little Watergate break-in, he'd probably be in the top half of most historians' lists.

Nixon accomplished a lot in foreign policy. He ended the Vietnam War, and he opened up relations with China. He improved relations with the Soviet Union. He implemented many domestic programs, like starting OSHA and the EPA. He oversaw integration in southern schools. Neil Armstrong landed on the moon during Nixon's watch. He also fought for universal health case, but it was killed in the Senate by Ted Kennedy and the Democrats.

But it all comes back to Watergate. Maybe Nixon knew how scandals had destroyed Harding's reputation, so he kept the lies and deceipts mounting to try to keep a lid on his involvement with the break-in. He onloy made it worse. By the time Congress started debating over impeachment, Nixon knew he wouldn't be able to avoid. Rather than become the second president in history to be impeached, he resigned.

Clinton later showed how he probably could have avoided removal from office. Nixon decided not to put the country through the ordeal (or more likely, he really believed there would be enough votes to actually remove him). He greatly diminished the American people's belief in the office and left in disgrace. He later repaired his image somewhat, but he remains the only president to quit the office.