Subject: Vance likes Nixon...
...and Watergate was SO overblown.

Vance: ...if Watergate happened tomorrow, it would be like a 12 hours news story. the idea that it would have taken down a presidency is crazy.

Axelrod: Just to review, Nixon's aides authorized a break-in of the DNC HQ to install bugging equipment--in a caper foiled by a night watchman, who called police.

They then enlisted the CIA to mislead the FBI that the break-in was related to a probe of malign foreign actors.

The entire operation was paid for by a slush fund controlled by the WH.

The WH also enlisted the IRS to probe hundreds of Nixon's political enemies.

The AG, the WH COS and several other top aides all were convicted and served time for their involvement in the crimes and coverup.

Nixon was caught on his own secret tape system conspiring with them but was pardoned a month after he resigned by his successor, Gerald Ford.