by Jake Betz

Created on: June 29, 2009

Nixon resigned the presidency on Aug. 8, 1974, because he ran out of options. The Watergate scandal, which played out for more than two years, had gradually eroded the American people's support for him. Even worse, he lost the support of even his most vocal Republican defenders.

For Nixon, there was no other way out. He had two choices - either leave office or be thrown out. Nixon, a proud man, did not want to endure the ignominy of being the first president to be ejected from office.

Nixon faced certain impeachment by the House of Representatives, and there was no longer any hope of being acquitted in a Senate trial. Just days before he announced his resignation, Nixon had released what later became known as the "smoking gun" tape of an Oval Office conversation on June 23, 1973. On that tape, the president was heard agreeing that the director of the CIA should be asked to urge the FBI to halt the Watergate break-in investigation because of national security concerns. Nixon's political survival was no longer possible. His critics became even more determined to remove him from office, and his political allies urged him to resign for the good of the country and the Republican Party.

Nixon could have bought time. No doubt his first inclination was to hunker down, accepting the House impeachment and mounting a spirited defense in the Senate. Even though congressional leaders of both parties would have done all they could to expedite the process, the ordeal would have dragged on for weeks, possibly even months. Fortunately for the nation, Nixon brought an end to the agony. The resignation gave Nixon the opportunity to enjoy the fruits of retirement as a former president while not fully admitting the criminality of his actions.

If Nixon had stayed in office, the U.S. would have experienced political paralysis while the trial continued. Nixon understood that had a major domestic or international crisis occurred, it would have been extremely difficult, if not impossible, for him to exercise proper presidential leadership. In addition, because the country was so obsessed with the Watergate scandal, it was impossible for the three branches of the federal government to focus on any other issues. So, although Nixon's resignation stemmed mostly from his recognition that his political life was over and his personal welfare demanded that he leave office immediately, he was likely also influenced by the knowledge that this decision was in the best interest of the nation.

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