Unbought and Unbossed: Shirley Chisholm in 1976

[Kahane's Grave Is A Gender-Neutral Bathroom]

November 6, 1968
New York City

"We can now project that the unthinkable has happened. New York Senator Jacob Javits has been defeated for re-election by Assemblywoman Shirley Chisholm, making her the first Black woman to become a U.S. Senator..."

You could barely hear Walter Cronkite talk as the place erupted in cheers. Shirley Chisholm's longshot campaign had shockingly defeated Jacob Javits. It was no doubt due to Buckley's vote-splitting, but it was a victory nonetheless.

1968 New York Senate Election:
✓Shirley Chisholm (D): 2,062,294 (39.94%)
Jacob Javits* (R): 1,920,833 (37.20%)
William Buckley (C): 1,070,473 (20.83%)

[Kahane's Grave Is A Gender-Neutral Bathroom]

November 6, 1968
Minneapolis

An aide whispered something into Hubert Humphrey's ear. He nodded. Shirley Chisholm had won in New York, which was good. His own race wasn't going so well. As if on queue, the map on the TV updated.

Humphrey looked at his aide. He quietly said "get Nixon on line one". As the aide scrambled off to do that, Hubert thought about what had happened. Now that he looked back on it, he never really stood a chance after Wallace dropped out in exchange for Nixon not adopting any civil rights planks, knowing that for every Delaware and Vermont he gave Humphrey he could win Georgia or Louisiana. Just then, the line beeped.

"Richard Nixon here."

[Kahane's Grave Is A Gender-Neutral Bathroom]

1968 FINAL ELECTION RESULTS:

Nixon/Agnew (R): 275 EV/ 47.2% PV
Humphrey/Muskie (D): 246 EV/ 47.5% PV
Griffen/Faubus (AIP): 17 EV/ 2.0% PV


SENATE:

D: 62 (-1)
R: 38 (+1)

HOUSE:
D: 241 (-7)
R: 194 (+7)

GUBERNATORIAL:

R: 29 (+3)
D: 21 (-3)

[Kahane's Grave Is A Gender-Neutral Bathroom]

November 6, 1968
Yorba Linda

Richard Nixon hadn't slept for the last day and a half, but he was happy. He knew the press was the same on number one and certainly not on number two, but he didn't care. It was time for his first press conference as President. He didn't know most of the reporters' names, and he didn't want to look them up, so he just pointed at them when they had questions.

"Thank you all for coming to my first press conference as President-elect. After I read this statement and answer a few questions, the man I have named as chair of my transition team, James Buckley, will stick around to answer any further questions you may have. Yeah." Nixon pointed at one of the reporters.

"Mr. Nixon, do you feel that you have a mandate considering you lost the popular vote?"

Nixon mentally sighed. The questions had already gotten hard.

"I was elected legally and constitutionally. As for your question, I think the fact that millions more Americans voted for me than Senator Goldwater four years ago is indicative of a want for change."

That was an okay answer, all things considered. He pointed at the next guy.

"Mr. Nixon, when can we expect to find out your list of cabinet appointees?"

"You'll know as soon as I have them. Thank you very much."

Nixon stepped away from the podium to more questions from the press while James Buckley tried to calm them down. He had a lot of work to do.

[Kahane's Grave Is A Gender-Neutral Bathroom]

November 13, 1968:

President-elect Nixon announces his first cabinet picks.

STATE:
TREASURY:
DEFENCE:
JUSTICE: Congressman Gerald R. Ford of Michigan
COMMERCE: Atomic Energy Commission Chair James R. Schlesinger of New York
INTERIOR:
LABOR:
TRANSPORTATION:
H&UD: Mr. William T. Coleman of Pennsylvania
HE&W:
AGRICULTURE:

November 18, 1968:

President-elect Nixon names Pat Buchanan as White House Chief of Staff.

November 20, 1968:

President-elect Nixon announces more cabinet picks.

STATE:
TREASURY:
DEFENCE: Congressman Donald Rumsfeld of Illinois
JUSTICE: Congressman Gerald R. Ford of Michigan
COMMERCE: Atomic Energy Commission Chair James R. Schlesinger of New York
INTERIOR:
LABOR:
TRANSPORTATION:
H&UD: Mr. William T. Coleman of Pennsylvania
HE&W: California Republican Party Chair Casper Weinberger of California
AGRICULTURE: Congressman Rogers Morton of Maryland

November 29, 1968:

President-elect Nixon finalizes his cabinet and staff picks.

STATE: Former Senator Prescott Bush of Connecticut
TREASURY: Governor John Connally of Texas
DEFENCE: Congressman Donald Rumsfeld of Illinois
JUSTICE: Congressman Gerald R. Ford of Michigan
COMMERCE: Atomic Energy Commission Chair James R. Schlesinger of New York
INTERIOR: Governor Walter Hickel of Alaska
LABOR: Mr. James D. Hodgson of California
TRANSPORTATION: Governor John Volpe of Massachusetts
H&UD: Mr. William T. Coleman of Pennsylvania
HE&W: California Republican Party Chair Casper Weinberger of California
AGRICULTURE: Congressman Rogers Morton of Maryland

December 10, 1968:

NBC renews Star Trek for a fourth season at $200,000 per episode. This comes after many social justice advocates (possibly inspired by Shirley Chisholm's shock victory in the recent New York election) protested the likely cancellation by saying the show inspired minority groups normally excluded from most shows. NBC has also granted the show's creators $15,000 extra per episode for the current season.

December 25, 1968:

In a move his staff are coining 'A Christmas Present for All Americans', President-elect Richard Nixon has announced that he plans to cut taxes by up to 10% depending on income next year. When asked how the administration will pay for this proposal, Nixon said the economic boom caused by Americans having more money to spend will increase revenues regardless.

January 3, 1969:

HUMPHREY: "Do you solemnly swear that you will support and defend the constitution of the United States against all enemies foreign and domestic, and that you bear true faith and allegiance to the same, that you take this obligation freely without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion, and that you will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office upon which you are about to enter, so help you God?"

CHISHOLM: "I do."

[Kahane's Grave Is A Gender-Neutral Bathroom]

January 20, 1969
White House

Richard Nixon looked around the Oval Office. He remarked to nobody in particular,

"Just look at this, I'm finally here."

"Indeed sir. Now if I may we need to discuss the legislative agenda for the upcoming term." Commented Chief of Staff Pat Buchanan.

"What were you thinking?" Nixon knew that Pat would take that as 'what does the base want', which was precisely why he phrased it that way.

"Well, we need to decide what great society programs to keep and which to get rid of." Pat paused for a second and asked for his intern Hillary to bring in a board with a list of all the said programs. He thanked her and continued. "I'm thinking everything aside from Medicare is doable."

"Hmm. Well if we get rid of everything the Democrats can hit us on not caring about people. Let's start by cutting arts funding by 75%, and decreasing food stamp values by 10%."

"Sounds great. The Democrats will want something in return, however."

"Then let's drop the segregation sh**t. Hopefully, that will convince them to allow a vote on partial social security privatization."

"Yes sir."

[Kahane's Grave Is A Gender-Neutral Bathroom]

"My mentor once I got to the Senate was George McGovern. In addition to general advice on how the Senate worked, he also advised me on how to increase my profile, if that was even possible. He thought that I should kill the rumor that I was a Black supremacist while also helping poorer Americans by introducing an income-based affirmative action law. The fact that I was a teacher by training and (of course) Black massively boosted this idea. And with that, the Educational Support For Working Americans Act was born."
From Unbought and Unbossed: My Life In The White House by Shirley Chisholm (2001)

---
February 12, 1969
White House

"Pat, what do you think of this affirmative action bill?" Richard Nixon was reading a new piece of legislation an aide had just put on his desk.

"What bill?"

"The one by the negro lady."

"It's better than the race-based system, although it is a blatant play for more votes for a possible presidential campaign."

"Hmm. When do you think she'd run?"

"1976 or 1980 probably."

"Okay. Tell Hugh I won't veto it if it reaches my desk."

"Of course Mr. President."
---

"We couldn't immediately oppose everything Nixon did since he still held veto power over legislation we wanted to pass. Rest assured that we were working on ways to obstruct everything he did that hurt the people (and because it was Richard Nixon, that was almost everything). With that shadow hanging over us, we actually got to work crafting the Educational Support bill. The final product basically made affirmative action eligible to all young people from families making less than $6,000 per year."
From My Time In Politics by Michael McNulty, former White House Chief of Staff.
---

[Kahane's Grave Is A Gender-Neutral Bathroom]

April 2, 1969
Senate Chamber

MANSFIELD: "Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the clerk read the ayes and nays for S.B. 23."

AGNEW: "Without objection, the clerk will read the tally."

CLERK: "S.B. 23, the Educational Support for Working Americans Act, is recorded to have 61 votes in favor and 35 votes in opposition."

AGNEW: "Therefore, S.B. 23 hereby passes the Senate."
---

April 25, 1969:

Chisholm Approval numbers break 80%.

A poll was released today show that Senator Shirley Chisholm's approval rating with New Yorkers has reached 82%. This rise from her divisive 39% of the vote victory is largely credited to the new Educational Support for Working Americans Act.

May 19, 1969:

House passes Educational Support for Working Americans Act.

Earlier today, the United States House of Representatives passed legislation originally introduced by Senator Shirley Chisholm on the subject of education. The bill was passed on a 280-142 margin.

May 24, 1969:

President Nixon signs the Educational Support for Working Americans Act into law.

[Kahane's Grave Is A Gender-Neutral Bathroom]

March 15, 1970
White House

"Damn that woman!" Richard Nixon was mad at Shirley Chisholm. She always seemed to get in his way of accomplishing something. He thought she would either mellow out or become less popular, but a year in she hadn't and her approval numbers were still near 85%. He'd already ordered Hoover to collect information on her, so hopefully he wouldn't have to deal with her for much longer.

Little did he know that investigation would serve to be his downfall instead.
---
September 4, 1970
Senate Offices

Slowly but surely (no pun intended), Senator Chisholm had increased her reputation with her colleagues to the point where some of the more liberal ones even invited her to campaign for them. She had thwarted Nixon's more sinister efforts and was hugely popular with working-class voters. Someone had even started a 'Draft Shirley 1972' movement. Shirley said she wasn't interested.

Yet.

[Kahane's Grave Is A Gender-Neutral Bathroom]

November 3, 1970
White House

D: 61 (-1)
R: 38 (-)
I: 1 (+1)

Richard sighed as he looked up at the TV. Republicans had lost and as usual it was Shirley's fault. The only result that could be directly linked to her was in New York, where Richard Ottinger defeated Rocky's appointee. But he knew she had ran an excellent minority GOTV operation in Hawaii and Ohio, and now Republicans were screwed.

Whatever, they'd still taken several seats of their own. Richard went to the now-familiar routine of congratulating the winners and offering jobs to the losers.

[Kahane's Grave Is A Gender-Neutral Bathroom]

January 13, 1971
White House

Ah, press conferences. Despite saying he was done with them in 1962, he now had to do them with regularity. As he walked out the reporters began to shout, although that mostly died down when he asked for quiet.

"Hello and thanks for coming. First, I would like to read some announcements and statements and then I will answer some questions."

The remaining conversation vanished.

"First, I look forward to working with the new congress despite the expanded majority, as the American people elected both me and congress to get things done on their behalf. I would also like to announce that Prescott Bush has announced that he will be retiring upon the confirmation of a successor, and this administration thanks him for his time in public service. I will now open the floor questions-"

"Mr. President, who will replace Secretary Bush?"

"The search was down to former Senator Fong or Representative George Bush, and the administration has ultimately decided to appoint Hiram Fong as Secretary of State and Representative Bush as UN Ambassador."

"Mr. President, will you be running for re-election?"

"I have not made up my mind but that is currently my intention, yes." That was a lie, Richard had already decided he was running for another term. But the press always treated the President differently when they were running, so he planned on holding off his announcement until November or December.

"Mr. President, what do you think of Senator Chisholm's demand that American troops be withdrawn from Vietnam?"

Ugh. Richard's smile at his inevitable victory next year was overshadowed by that. Shirley Chisholm had been demanding that the American troop presence be reduced, but he couldn't call a U.S. Senator a moron on a nationally televised press conference, no matter how annoying. So he stuck with the best option he could use;

"Ms. Chisholm should rest assured that this administration is looking to end the war as fast as reasonably possible. Thank you."

Richard stepped back and let the press people handle that. He had more important things to do.
---

August 3, 1971
White House

Normally Shirley hated being at the White House. As a child she wouldn't have dreamed of this moment, but opinions change. Specifically, it was her dislike of the current occupant, Richard Nixon. The reason she was here today, however, was actually good.

Thanks in part to her lobbying, Congress had passed the Health Care Reform Act of 1971. While nothing like the single-payer plan Shirley would have preferred, it would reduce the almost distinctly American phenomenon of people going bankrupt due to medical costs to a number nearing zero. Other people clapping jarred her out of her thoughts.

President Nixon was making his way from the residence and into the Rose Garden, where the ceremony would be held and where Shirley and a few dozen other guests had been standing for the last half hour.

She began to clap too, just because the cameras catching her not clapping would have given the always fun right-wing press more ammo.

[Kahane's Grave Is A Gender-Neutral Bathroom]

January 12, 1972:

Shirley Chisholm wins 82% of New York Democratic primary votes despite not running a campaign.

May 2, 1972:

Senator Chisholm wins D.C.
---

Coming into the convention we were on a high. We hadn't even declared a campaign and we still won New Hampshire, New York, New Jersey, and D.C. Not to mention that no candidate had come into the event with a majority of the delegates. Looking back on it, Hubert probably could have won the election, considering we actually came relatively close. Regardless, I approached George with an offer, and he took it.
From Unbought and Unbossed: My Life In The White House by Shirley Chisholm (2001)
---
July 14, 1972
White House

"They nominated HER???" Richard Nixon was in shock.

"Yes. They nominated a ticket of McGovern/Chisholm." Aide-whose-name-Richard-forgot replied.

"Well, at least we'll win in November."

[Kahane's Grave Is A Gender-Neutral Bathroom]

Pre-Conventions:

Nixon: 368 EV
McGovern: 77 EV
Undecided: 93 EV

Post-RNC:

Nixon/Agnew: 412 EV
McGovern: 70 EV
Undecided: 56 EV

Post-DNC:

Nixon/Agnew: 367 EV
McGovern/Chisholm: 110 EV
Undecided: 60 EV

Before VP Debate:

Nixon/Agnew: 375 EV
McGovern/Chisholm: 102 EV
Undecided: 60 EV

[Kahane's Grave Is A Gender-Neutral Bathroom]

October 10, 1972
Vice Presidential Debate

MODERATOR: "Hello and welcome to this year's Vice Presidential debate. If you would please join me in welcoming the candidates. On the left we have incumbent Vice President Spiro Agnew and on the right, we have the Democratic nominee, Senator Shirley Chisholm of New York."

MODERATOR: "Ms- Senator Chisholm, do you think America is ready for a female Vice President, especially a non-caucasian one?"

CHISHOLM: "I think most Americans care about their own wages, health, and prosperity and that of their loved ones more than the color of the Vice President's skin. What I hope Americans are looking for in this election is the ticket that will bring peace and prosperity to our great nation. If you elected George McGovern, we will establish a plan for full troop withdrawal from Vietnam by January 20, and will ensure that all Americans have access to affordable, quality health care and decent education. After all, the only way we can stay ahead of the Soviets is if we invest in educating our children for the jobs of tomorrow."
---

AGNEW: "...And that is why the only ticket you can trust this election is Nixon/Agnew. Because Shirley Chisholm is an amateur not able to effectively take over the office of President."

MODERATOR: "Senator Chisholm, your response?"

CHISHOLM: "That's true, Mr. Vice President. I am an amateur. When it comes to sending tens of thousands of young American men to die in a mysterious, far-off land, I am an amateur. When it comes to lying to the American people about our objectives and the total span of that conflict, yes, I'm an amateur. And when it comes to giving favors to your friends by using your office, then yes, I'm an amateur."
---

MODERATOR: "Senator Chisholm, how do you respond to claims that you only care about minority issues?"

CHISHOLM: "That is blatantly false. Within my first year as a Senator, I introduced successful legislation that has already enabled thousands of poor kids of all races not at all dissimilar to those I taught as a teacher the ability to go to college. The real campaign for minority issues is Nixon/Agnew. For minority groups like the top 1%, for CEOs, and corporate executives. This is a campaign for majority issues, like the majority of Americans who haven't gotten any wage growth during the last few years and the majority of Americans who haven't seen their tax bill go down. Thank you very much."

Post-Debate Polling:

Nixon/Agnew (R): 311 EV
McGovern/Chisholm (D): 116 EV
Undecided: 111 EV
---

October 25, 1972
White House

"How the hell is this happening!" Richard Nixon screamed at nobody in particular.

"Her debate performance against Agnew is responsible for at least half of it." Some advisor replied. "We think most of the toss-up states should fall our way."

"It better." Richard replied, and left it at that.

[Kahane's Grave Is A Gender-Neutral Bathroom]

November 7, 1972
D.C. Convention Center

You could hear another groan from the ballroom downstairs. That was expected since nobody thought they would win. Shirley (and her staff and friends) was in a conference room that the McGovern campaign had stocked with snacks and comfortable chairs. Shirley, who was finishing her remarks at the end of the table, called out to whoever was in charge of watching the results to tell her what had happened. It was her fellow New York Senator Rich Ottinger who replied.

"They called Ohio for Nixon."

Shirley sighed. They had been competitive in Ohio but it as expected fell to Nixon. She looked over to the map on the TV and saw it for herself:

"Anything good?"

"Biden won in Delaware" That was good news. Having another progressive in the Senate was always that.
---

November 7, 1972
White House

"Well Sir it looks like you'll win" Pat Buchanan said.

"But will I get a landslide? Can you show me the map again?"

"Yeah, it looks like it."

Just then the phone rang. Richard picked it up. All calls that were put through to his office were important.

"This is George McGovern calling to concede...

[Kahane's Grave Is A Gender-Neutral Bathroom]

November 8, 1972
Washington D.C.

"What do you think?" Chief of Staff Michael McNulty commented as they reviewed the final results.

"We did better than expected. Can you get the map with the Senate results?"

As he ran off to get that, Shirley looked at the map in front of her:

Nixon/Agnew (R): 397 EV/ 55.9% PV
McGovern/Chisholm (D): 141 EV/ 43.0% PV

Just then, Michael brought back the map.

D: 64 (+3)
R: 36 (-3)

"Who beat Helms?" Shirley inquired.

"Terry Sanford."

"What about the house results?"

"Democrats are at 245, Republicans at 190."

"Could be worse."

[Kahane's Grave Is A Gender-Neutral Bathroom]

November 26, 1972:

President Nixon announces agenda for second term!
-Tax Cuts
-Plan for Vietnam withdrawal
-War on crime

---

December 10, 1972:

President Nixon finalizes his second-term cabinet.

STATE: Secretary Hiram Fong of Hawaii
TREASURY: Secretary George Shultz of New York
DEFENCE: OMB Director Caspar Weinberger of California
JUSTICE: Attorney General Gerald R. Ford of Michigan
COMMERCE: Deputy Secretary of State Elliot Richardson of Massachusetts
INTERIOR: Secretary Walter Hickel of Alaska
LABOR: H&UD Secretary William T. Coleman of Pennsylvania
TRANSPORTATION: Secretary John Volpe of Massachusetts
H&UD: Deputy Secretary James T. Lynn of Ohio
HE&W: Secretary Robert Finch of California
AGRICULTURE: Secretary Rogers Morton of Maryland

---

[Kahane's Grave Is A Gender-Neutral Bathroom]

February 14, 1973
"Washington Post running an investigation on a report that Nixon ordered the FBI to investigate Shirley Chisholm."

The headline wasn't shocking. She knew Nixon hated her. Not that this had really happened before. Shirley decided to call Senator Mansfield to ask if they should set up an investigation of their own.
---

March 21, 1973
White House

"DAMN HER!" Richard Nixon was mad. He was barely two months into his second term and congressional Democrats had already opened an investigation into the reports that Richard had ordered the FBI to investigate Shirley Chisholm. This was true, of course, but Richard needed to find out who leaked the information.
---

Gallup:

Do you approve of Richard Nixon?
YES: 54%
NO: 37%

Do you believe the allegations?
NO: 39%
YES: 24%
---
April 6, 1973

Congressional leadership announces appointments in Nixon investigation:
SEN. Shirley Chisholm (D-NY)
SEN. Terry Sanford (D-NC)
SEN. Ted Kennedy (D-MA), Chair
SEN. Barry Goldwater (R-AZ), Ranking Member
SEN. Charles Percy (R-IL)
REP. Mo Udall (D-AZ)
REP. Spark Matsunaga (D-HI), Vice Chair
REP. James Hanley (D-NY)
REP. Mark Andrews (R-ND)
REP. David Satterfield (R-VA)
---
April 24, 1973
Agnew Residence

"Arthur, is all the information out?" Vice President Agnew was pacing in his office.

"Yes sir." His chief of staff replied.
---

[Kahane's Grave Is A Gender-Neutral Bathroom]

September 1, 1973
U.S. Senate

Shirley sat back in her chair. The Congressional Joint Committee on Executive Overreach had just finished its first hearing. They hadn't gotten anyone high ranking to testify, and Ted was reluctant to issue subpoenas. Nixon's approval ratings had been going down steadily, so it was having an effect. Just then, one of her aids came up to her.

"Sohmer agreed to testify." The aide said.

"Who?"

"The VP's Chief of Staff."
---
November 18, 1973
U.S. Senate

The hearing was being held at 3:00 AM. Many members of the committee protested but Ted assured them it would be worth it. At 2:58, many people gasped as the VP's top advisor came into the room and sat down. Ted gaveled the meeting to order and told Sohmer to read his opening statement.

"Members of congress, tonight I am here to tell you that Richard Nixon is a crook. The allegations that he ordered the FBI to spy on Senator Chisholm are true. If you look into your folders that were brought in you'll see the transcripts of a conversation from March 15, 1970."

"I don't believe it." Representative Mark Andrews interjected.

"I will try to obtain the recorded tapes."
---

[Kahane's Grave Is A Gender-Neutral Bathroom]

Welp, here it comes...

Yeah, plenty of massive failures and stupid moves are required to get a Black woman as POTUS in 1976.

[Kahane's Grave Is A Gender-Neutral Bathroom]

Gallup:

Do you approve of Richard Nixon?
YES: 51%
NO: 39%

Do you believe the allegations?
NO: 36%
YES: 29%
---

December 1, 1973
New York City

"Over the last 5 years, we have accomplished so much. (CHEERS) We have pushed to get a bill passed making education more affordable for the average citizen, and we now have over 25,000 college students in New York alone receiving benefits from this legislation. (CHEERS) We have worked with other officials to get a comprehensive health care reform passed, and although it may not be as far-reaching as it should, the number of Americans who can't afford treatment has dropped. (CHEERS) The President (BOOS) would like to take credit for this. (BOOS) But it is not his to take credit for. Behind that single stroke of a pen were thousands of hours spent by thousands of volunteers to make this legislation a reality. (CHEERS) So I am here today to declare my intention to seek a second term in the U.S. Senate. (CHEERS) Thank you all very much! (CHEERS)
---

February 10, 1974
The White House

With Valentine's Day approaching, Americans of all ethnicities and wealth were joyous at the upcoming holiday. As usual, the exception to the happiness was the Nixon administration. Despite being re-elected just over a year ago, the allegations against the President were gaining steam. Nixon's spies allies in congress had hinted that an Administration insider had leaked transcripts about the conversations on various Democratic politicians to the committee. Nixon wasted no time.

"Order the Secret Service to search everyone exiting."
---

[Kahane's Grave Is A Gender-Neutral Bathroom]

November 1, 1972
The White House

"Where should we hide the records Mr. President?" This brought Spiro up short. It would seem that nobody had fully closed the door. He was waiting for his meeting with the President, so he decided he should listen in.

"Put them in Spiro's office, that way he can take the fall for any leaks." What?

"Yes Mr. President." WHAT???

Spiro had always wanted to be President, and if Nixon was going to screw him over he could at least have the last laugh if anything was in those files.

[Kahane's Grave Is A Gender-Neutral Bathroom]

May 16, 1974
U.S. Senate

"I have the tapes" A voice at the back I didn't just give a super cool appearance to make this funny.
"Which ones?" Senator Percy asked.

"The ones where President Nixon sicced the FBI on Senator Chisholm."

"Well let's have a listen then" Senator Kennedy replied.

TAPE #1; RECORDED AT APPROX. 10 PM IN THE OVAL OFFICE ON MARCH 12, 1970

NIXON (muttering): Damn that stupid b*tch!

HOOVER: You wanted to see me Mr. President?

NIXON: Yes Edgar, have a seat. I wanted to discuss the matter of Shirley Chisholm-

HOOVER: You want me to investigate her?

NIXON: Yes.

HOOVER: That can certainly be arranged. However, I've been having all these reporters snooping in agency archives to find documentation of abuse of power. I'll likely be forced out within the next few years. If I could get-

NIXON: A pardon?

HOOVER: Correct. If I get a pardon I will investigate Shirley Chisholm.

NIXON: Deal.

-END TAPE-
---

"Ted had a kind of smirk on his face as he looked at the Republicans, who were in shock. They couldn't deny it since the voice was so clearly Nixon's. Hoover wasn't in the best of health at this point, and he would ultimately die in 1979, almost three years into my administration. Regardless, we had to decide what to do. Ultimately, we chose to continue investigating for a few weeks before releasing the information."
From Unbought and Unbossed: My Time In The White House by Shirley Chisholm
---

June 25, 1974
Capitol Press Room

Reporters sat up and leaned in as Senators Kennedy, Chisholm, Percy, and Goldwater climbed the stairs to the podium. Kennedy began;

"We are here today with urgent news. The Special Joint Committee on Executive Overreach has finished its hearings, and we have uncovered many disturbing things. First, President Nixon ordered FBI Director Hoover to spy on Senator Chisholm, who the President perceived as a rival. Second, he made a deal with Hoover to obstruct investigations into alleged FBI abuses of power. We will now take questions-"

"Senator Kennedy, will congress pursue impeachment?"

"All options are on the table. We have evidence of this but we will need to conduct a much more thorough public investigation if we are to use that drastic step."

[Kahane's Grave Is A Gender-Neutral Bathroom]

July 6, 1974
The White House

People were normally very happy coming back into the office after the holiday, but as usual, the Nixon administration was the exception. The Democrats were giddy about impeaching him. While they hadn't exactly admitted it he could just feel Shirley and Ted Kennedy salivating over this opportunity. Almost everyone working in the west wing was spending most of their time searching for new jobs at this point, and Richard knew he didn't have much time left.
---

July 29, 1974
The White House

It was official. Congress had officially opened an impeachment investigation. Over 70% of Americans disapproved of the job he was doing, and the economy was beginning to falter. But he could not resign in disgrace.
---

August 14, 1974
The White House

"Dick we need you to resign!" Senator Howard Baker stated, the annoyance in his voice clear.

"No."

"Then impeachment it is then."
---

September 30, 1974
A House Committee Chamber

"With a vote of 32-3, the committee hereby approves the drafted article of impeachment."
---

[Kahane's Grave Is A Gender-Neutral Bathroom]

October 20, 1974
The U.S. House Chamber

"The clerk will report the tally"

"With 377 in favor and 42 opposed, the article passes"
---

October 22, 1974
The White House

"Sir if you resign by the day after tomorrow I'll pardon you." Spiro stated, inwardly glad to turn the tables on the President. He knew this would hurt the party in the midterms but he didn't care at this point.

"What if I say no?" President Nixon replied, visibly tired.

"Then you'll get to be in office for the next month or so, and then be removed from office and dragged in front of a grand jury for the crimes of-"

"Okay fine."
---

October 24, 1974
The White House

"After much discussion with my family and advisors, I have come to the conclusion that it would be bad for the nation if I remain in office. Therefore, I am announcing my resignation effective at noon tomorrow. Thank you and God Bless America."