Mark Felt Director of the FBI 1972 -1978

[mcnutt]

What if Nixon had named Mark Felt to be Director of the FBI after J Edgar Hoover died in 1972? Would he have been Deep Throat? Bob Woodward said that Felt acted out of patriotism. He described Felt as disgusted at Watergate, the cover up and Nixon's attempts to control the FBI. That would have been true even if he was serving as director. Max Holland in his book the Leak said theat Felt was angered at not being chosen. He felt he had earned the job, when starting in 1971, when he rose to the third ranking position in the FBI he had to do tha work of that job and the number two job. The then number two Clyde Tolson missed work because of health problems. Holland also said Felt was disapointed by Nixon's choice L. Patrick Grey and that he hoped the leaks to Woodard and other reporters would embrass Grey. If Holland was right. Felt might not have helped out Woodard. If there was no Deep Throat, the only thing that changes is that Woodard and Carl Bernstein do not become household names. If Felt got the job he would have had to retire in 1978 when he was indictated for violating the civil rights of family and friends of members of the Weather Underground, who were victims of FBI illeagal break ins.

[lordroel]

May 24, 2017 18:54:12 GMT mcnutt said:

What if Nixon had named Mark Felt to be Director of the FBI after J Edgar Hoover died in 1972? Would he have been Deep Throat? Bob Woodward said that Felt acted out of patriotism. He described Felt as disgusted at Watergate, the cover up and Nixon's attempts to control the FBI. That would have been true even if he was serving as director. Max Holland in his book the Leak said theat Felt was angered at not being chosen. He felt he had earned the job, when starting in 1971, when he rose to the third ranking position in the FBI he had to do tha work of that job and the number two job. The then number two Clyde Tolson missed work because of health problems. Holland also said Felt was disapointed by Nixon's choice L. Patrick Grey and that he hoped the leaks to Woodard and other reporters would embrass Grey. If Holland was right. Felt might not have helped out Woodard. If there was no Deep Throat, the only thing that changes is that Woodard and Carl Bernstein do not become household names. If Felt got the job he would have had to retire in 1978 when he was indictated for violating the civil rights of family and friends of members of the Weather Underground, who were victims of FBI illeagal break ins.

Never have heard of Mark Felt until you posted this thread.

[doug181]

I don't think it changes much

[mcnutt]

Never have heard of Mark Felt until you posted this thread.

You must have been very young in 2005.

[lordroel]

May 25, 2017 11:10:18 GMT mcnutt said:

Never have heard of Mark Felt until you posted this thread.

You must have been very young in 2005.

Only 12 years younger than i am now.

[stevep]

May 25, 2017 11:10:18 GMT mcnutt said:

Never have heard of Mark Felt until you posted this thread.

You must have been very young in 2005.

  I remembered him being named but must admit I had forgotten his name until this thread.

  By the sound of it you think he might not have gone deep throat if he had got the job as head of the FBI?  That would set up an interesting situation.  Do people think that this might mean the Watergate operation was covered up?  Nixon possibly completing his 2nd term?  Probably as a result no Carter in 76.

[lordroel]

May 25, 2017 14:41:56 GMT stevep said:

May 25, 2017 11:10:18 GMT mcnutt said:

Never have heard of Mark Felt until you posted this thread.

You must have been very young in 2005.

  I remembered him being named but must admit I had forgotten his name until this thread.

  By the sound of it you think he might not have gone deep throat if he had got the job as head of the FBI?  That would set up an interesting situation.  Do people think that this might mean the Watergate operation was covered up?  Nixon possibly completing his 2nd term?  Probably as a result no Carter in 76.

Better Nixon than Carter.

[stevep]

May 25, 2017 15:55:14 GMT lordroel said:

May 25, 2017 14:41:56 GMT stevep said:

  I remembered him being named but must admit I had forgotten his name until this thread.

  By the sound of it you think he might not have gone deep throat if he had got the job as head of the FBI?  That would set up an interesting situation.  Do people think that this might mean the Watergate operation was covered up?  Nixon possibly completing his 2nd term?  Probably as a result no Carter in 76.

Better Nixon than Carter.

  Interesting statement from you but if Nixon did stay through until 76 he wouldn't had been able to stand again as Presidents are limited to two terms.  [By convention until FDR and by constitutonal change from the 1950s IIRC].  Would be some other Republican, possibly Agrew if he avoids the OTL exposure, or whoever replaces him as VP - may not be Ford depending on butterflies, or possibly an earlier challenge by Reagan?  However given that Carter seems to have been very much a reaction to the Watergate scandal if that doesn't occur the Republican candicate is likely to face a different Democrat.

[lordroel]

May 25, 2017 21:35:36 GMT stevep said:

May 25, 2017 15:55:14 GMT lordroel said:

Better Nixon than Carter.

  Interesting statement from you but if Nixon did stay through until 76 he wouldn't had been able to stand again as Presidents are limited to two terms.  [By convention until FDR and by constitutonal change from the 1950s IIRC].  Would be some other Republican, possibly Agrew if he avoids the OTL exposure, or whoever replaces him as VP - may not be Ford depending on butterflies, or possibly an earlier challenge by Reagan?  However given that Carter seems to have been very much a reaction to the Watergate scandal if that doesn't occur the Republican candicate is likely to face a different Democrat.

I think Nixon could have done better if there was no Watergate Scandal.

[mcnutt]

By the sound of it you think he might not have gone deep throat if he had got the job as head of the FBI? That would set up an interesting situation. Do people think that this might mean the Watergate operation was covered up? Nixon possibly completing his 2nd term? Probably as a result no Carter in 76.

As I said earlier if Mark Felt does not confider in Bob Woodward, the only thing that changes is the Woodward and Bernstein do not become household names. Felt told Woodward about the ongoing FBI investigation. The investigation would have gone on even if Felt did not talk to Woodward. Nixon is still caught and still has to resign.

[stevep]

Jun 5, 2017 20:37:29 GMT mcnutt said:

By the sound of it you think he might not have gone deep throat if he had got the job as head of the FBI? That would set up an interesting situation. Do people think that this might mean the Watergate operation was covered up? Nixon possibly completing his 2nd term? Probably as a result no Carter in 76.

As I said earlier if Mark Felt does not confider in Bob Woodward, the only thing that changes is the Woodward and Bernstein do not become household names. Felt told Woodward about the ongoing FBI investigation. The investigation would have gone on even if Felt did not talk to Woodward. Nixon is still caught and still has to resign.

  Ah sorry, I didn't get that.  If Nixon still gets caught and forced to resign and you still get the publicity, but probably someone else breaking the news then your probably still likely to get a reaction against the establishment as with Carter.