“‘Chuck,’ Nixon says, ‘I'm not at all sure about this. I need to know what
you think. I trust your judgment. Should we carry on the bombing and go
back to the public to explain our policy?’
“It is a very tough call,” Chuck continues. “Kissinger is brilliant, and he
carries great clout with the President. But ultimately, I think he is wrong on
this one.
“It is also a difficult question because of the public outrage over the lack
of transparency around the war. Nixon has to balance the need to create
public debate and support against doing everything possible to force a peace
agreement.
“We talk a good bit more. It's a minefield, this question. But I finally tell
the President what I think: We should continue the bombing, but not try to
explain it. I am afraid it will lead to more bitter debate in the country and
contentious demonstrations. Everyone is sick about Vietnam and the war.
Most important, trying to explain it will undermine our chances for success
at the peace negotiations.
“That is the toughest question I've ever been asked. It is a harrowing,
complex issue. And you don't go up against the Secretary of State lightly.
“We do, by the way, sustain the bombing, which did in fact help speed the
peace negotiations.”
Reader, would you like to know more about the conspiracy, John Dean,
Ehrlichman, Haldeman, John Mitchell, and that whole bunch? Well. . .that's
another story for another time.
We often learn the most when we experience intense pressure—when
we are stretched and pushed. Learn from the deepest recesses of
someone's experience by asking,
“What is the most difficult question
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