MONTGOMERY, Ala. – This week marks 50 years since President Richard Nixon announced he would resign from office in the wake of the Watergate scandal.
Many probably don’t remember that Alabama played a significant role in Nixon’s decision.
As he was still fighting impeachment and trying to gather support among members of Congress, Nixon placed a phone call to then-Gov. George Wallace to ask for his help coaxing then-Congressman Walter Flowers, a member of the House Judiciary Committee.
In a post-resignation interview, Nixon shared the story.
“He said, ‘I’m praying for you,’” Nixon said. “He says ‘I’m very much sorry. I’m very sorry that this ordeal had to be brought upon you, but I don’t feel that I can really talk to Flowers because he might resent my doing.’”
Nixon said that is when he knew his presidency was over.
“The call had taken only six and a half minutes, but as I hung up on the phone, I knew it was all over,” he said. “I turned to Al, I said ‘well there goes the presidency.’”