The Policeman's Truncheon: A Collaborative TL

CBS Evening News Broadcast (May 4, 1972)

Walter Cronkite: "Good evening, I'm Walter Cronkite and this is CBS... we, we have received a report that, err, there's been an incident outside the White House... we now go to our on-site correspondent, Dan Rather, um... Dan?"

[Switch to White House]

Dan Rather: "Yes, I'm... I'm here outside the White House, and... and it's clear that there's a, a protest here... a few minutes ago, it seems, an armored police officer assaulted... assault one of the protesters... Lindsey Morsel... she was demonstrating for the repeal of the Public Safety... Public Safety/National Policing Act signed into law only days ago... we're not sure why he assault her, or... or if he was defending himself... in any case-

[Shouts from off-screen; switch to studio]

Cronkite: "Dan... Dan, what was that?"

[Switch to White House]

Rather: "The... the police have turned on a fire hose... spraying water onto the demonstrators... they appear to be threatening them with batons..."
 
White House Press Conference (May 5, 1972)

[Ron Ziegler enters the room]

Ziegler: "Everyone... the President is unable to appear at this time, but he assures you that in no way did he, nor the District authorities, authorize or encourage alleged acts of brutality on the side of the police... I emphasize that this is alleged, but that internal inquiries will be carried out."
 
"With all due respect... it is within my opinion that Mr Agnew not accept his Party's nomination at Miami."

-Senator Eugene McCarthy (May 8, 1972)

"I think that... that the President's performance is seriously underrated... he passed landmark anti-crime legislation less than a month in office, he... he worked with the Democrats in Congress... he will do well for a whole term."

-Governor John McKeithen (May 1, 1972)
 
Conversation between President Agnew, White House Chief of Staff Haldeman (May 9, 1972)

Agnew: "Gray's on-board with... with the Project, yes?"

Haldeman: "Yes, sir... one hundred percent."

Agnew: "OK, so..."
 
Conversation between President Agnew, Murray Chotiner, White House Chief of Staff Haldeman (May 10, 1972)

Agnew: "... doubt that we're going to win the nomination?"

Chotiner: "Not a chance, sir. I... I mean, who's going to be stupid enough to challenge you a few months after you took office?"

Agnew: "What about the Democrats?"

Chotiner: "Screw `em."

Agnew: "You bet."
 
May 14, 1972 poll: 57% of Americans "questioned certain aspects of the Public Safety and National Policing Act... but supported it."
 
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