claim: A 1973 column by humorist Art Buchwald, which provided canned responses for people supporting Nixon as the Watergate scandal grew, is authentic.
origin: In May 2017, as the firing of FBI director James Comey by President Donald Trump precipitated a wave of scandals ultimately resulting in the appointment of a special prosecutor to investigate the Trump campaign and its associates, comparisons between Trump and Nixon became a trending topic online. One item shared in this context wasÂ a 1973 column by syndicated Washington Post humorist Art Buchwald â€” a list of canned responses to criticisms of President Nixon. Some online have questioned its authenticity due to its apparent relevance to todayâ€™s political climate. Buchwald introduced that column with this explanation: < These are difficult times for people who are defending the Nixon administration. [â€¦] As a public service I am printing instant responses for loyal Nixonites when they are attacked at a party. Please cut it out and carry it in your pocket. > Buchwaldâ€™s suggestions included: < 3 â€“ A President canâ€™t keep track of EVERYTHING his staff does. 4 â€“Â The press is blowing this whole thing up. 5 â€“ Whatever Nixon did was for national security. 10 â€“ If you impeach Nixon, you get [Vice President Spiro] Agnew. 14 â€“ People would be against Nixon no matter what he did. 28 â€“ Iâ€™m sick and tired of hearing about Watergate and so is everyone else. > The article is authentic and, as a syndicated column, can be found in the archives of myriad newspapers. It first appeared in print on 12 July 1973: Â Â Â