Extracted text

OCR Page 1 of 44
THE PRESIDENT HAS SEEN 0.46 NEWS SUMMARY May 11, 1974 (Fri. nets, wires) The major stories of the day: -- RN-VP meeting against the background of "mounting" (ABC) GOP calls for RN to step down led ABC/NBC and a brief note of it followed report of Young, Cook, Schweiker statements on resignation on CBS. NBC noted meeting was expected to be "more than routine" but WH sought to dispel such notions w/Warren saying possibility of resignation didn't even come up (ABC noted) as VP knows very well RN intends to complete his term, a sentiment echoed by VP on all nets film as he said tho resignation wasn't discussed directly, VP inferred from what RN's previously said that it's still his intention not to resign. Tho VP on CBS/NBC (ABC noted) said there was no indication of any Pres displeasure at VP's role, ABC's Landay reported RN "firmly but tactfully" told VP to stop contributing to the erosion of public confidence w/potentially damaging public statements and to w/hold judgments on t'scripts til all evidence is in and there's an up-or-down vote on impchmnt. Landay noted WH doesn't think GOP MCs are engaged in any "organized effort" to pressure RN but it's conceded it could become one unless RN's successful in "heading them off at the pass. " -- NBC/CBS noted PN definitely doesn't want RN to resign and is "puzzled" (CBS) why GOP leaders aren't standing by RN in his time of need Julie and David will hold joint "no holds barred" news conference Sat. noon. -- Cronkite led saying it may've been worst week so far in W'gate scandal for RN, w/loss of confidence "spreading rapidly." And Mudd opined that RN's support on Hill during past week "buckled," w/Young's "rumble" most "ominous and loudest" as he suggested RN step aside under 25th Amendment. Schweiker on ABC said t'scripts "reveal a total disregard for the moral and ethical values upon which US was built" and he couldn't remain silent "in the face of the now obvious moral corrosion destroying the Presidency." Similarly Cook on CBS said he's familiar w/locker-room language and that's not what bothered him in scripts. Rather, he said, it was in- sensitiveness that Pres. was more important than any- thing else. CBS reported "informal survey" of half GOP