S1 E3: The Powell Memo | Legalizing Corruption
Master Plan
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Nixon's Call to Powell
- Richard Nixon and Lewis Powell had a history of shared anti-communist and anti-leftist sentiments.
- Nixon called Powell to offer him a Supreme Court appointment, knowing exactly who Powell was and what he represented.
- In a private call with Ronald Reagan, Nixon described Powell as a 'corporation lawyer'.
- Powell's moderate facade allowed him to be nominated by a Republican president and potentially accepted by a Democratic Congress.
- Nixon believed that confirming Powell would place a pro-business advocate on the Supreme Court.
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