Monday, August 05, 1974

• In morning, Haig begins the process of telling key Republicans, including George Bush, hoping that all would be of the same mind that the President should resign. Haig also contacts Jaworski, but doesn't disclose the exact nature of the tape. Upon his return to Washington, Senator Griffin tells the press the President should resign.
• Ziegler explains the situation to his staff and asks that they support the President in this difficult time.
• St. Clair and Buzhardt inform those on Judiciary Committee who had backed Nixon about the tape. They then move to the Senate Republican leadership and do the same.
• Haig assembles the White House staff and reads Nixon's statement about the new tape at around the same time it is being released to the press.
• Initial news reports on the tape are not as bad as many in the White House feared. Nixon continues to say he will not resign, but not everyone in the inner circle believes him.
• Ford begins to distance himself from the President in a statement saying Ford will no longer participate in anything related to Watergate and that he sees no use in repeating his claims that the President did nothing to be impeached.