oanne "Jo" Halde- comfortable to live with J man's husband, a pardon." H.R. Haldeman, was Recently, a friend the second most power- suggested to Jo that she ful man in America MRS. HALDEMAN beseech Jimmy Carter when he served as Pres- for a pardon for her ident Nixon's chief of husband, or at least ask staff. Now Bob Halde- SPEAKS HER MIND for executive clemency. man works in a sewage In an exclusive interview, Jo Haldeman, the She refused. "It would plant at Lompoc Fed- be putting another bur- eral Prison north of San- wife of 's top aide, H.R. Hal- den on this President's ta Barbara, Calif.—a deman, talks for the first time about the shoulders. Why should casualty of the Water- White House years. How did her marriage he go out on a 'political gate scandal that ulti- limb' for the Water- mately forced Nixon to change after Watergate—and who are the gate defendants? Dur- resign. To this day Jo people she can, and cannot, forgive?... ing Bob's absence, each Haldeman says she does day will seem like for- not know exactly what By Thomas Thompson ever to me. But at least caused Watergate, nor the end is in sight. I what the final implications of it will be, She leaves it to can wait." There is, she believes, "more dignity in serv- some future historian to determine who did what to ing time and accepting punishment than in asking for whom. a pardon." Jo Haldeman refuses to say much of anything about That is Jo Haldeman's old-fashioned, almost severely the charges that her husband was part of a conspiracy. .moralistic point of view. "I have tremendous faith and "I have the natural bias of a wife," she says. "I am respect and love for my husband," she says. "He is a good prejudiced toward my husband because I believe in him. and decent man. I think our lives will speak for them- I think it inappropriate for me to comment further at selves. They didn't begin with Nixon and they won't end this point in time." (Yes, she really does use that phrase— with Nixon. But if people want to judge us and remember and often.) us by Watergate, then so be it. I can live with that, too." For the moment, Jo can deal with waiting for her hus- band's release—judge , in his last act before Joanne Hortob was a third-generation Californian and retiring, cut Bob Haldeman's sentence to one to four a popular member of the exclusive Marlborough School in years, making him eligible for parole in June. Los Angeles when, at age 15, she met her husband-to-be. Fate deals strange cards to people. By all rights—blood- He was two years older, serious and a little stuffy. Her lines, family tradition of service, social credentials—Jo father was a prominent lawyer; his, the owner of a pros- Haldeman should be in her civic prime as she approaches perous air-conditioning and heating business. Their fam- 50. She is the kind of woman—tanned, tailored, thin—who ilies had the same friends, the same clubs, the same re- does volunteer work through the Junior League. ligion (Christian Science). When Jo and Bob were both at Toward the end, when the Nixon presidency was top- UCLA, they fell in love, and Bob's Beta pin found a place pling, she kept thinking: "This can't be happening to us. next to Jo's Kappa key. We respect tradition and we honor our system of justice." When Bob pressed her to marry him before her gradua- Perhaps these beliefs contributed to the one substantial tion, she agreed. "I was not career-minded," she recalls. disagreement that Jo and Bob had in the final hours of the "I was expected to get married, raise children, keep a nice scandaL Bob told his wife that he was going to ask Presi- home and work in the community. I did exactly that. It dent Nixon for a pardon—for himself, for all the Water- seems so archaic now, particularly compared to what our gate figures, and for the Vietnam dissenters—"to take children believe. For example: our oldest daughter told us she a every albatross off of 's neck." Jo remembers that she intends to keep the Haldeman name when the moment well: gets rnarried." With his customary discipline—the rigid posture that "Bob was and is a pragmatist. Naturally, he didn't want 2 to go to prison. I didn't want him to go to prison, either, would one day have the press referring to asking President Nixon for a him as a Teutonic commander—Bob Haldeman made a g but I was not in favor of even pardon. 1 felt we had to stand on our own record and let thorough survey of the business scene after his mar- the people judge. And to me, it would have been very un- riage and graduation. He wanted a career in (continued) C 46

• ••••.... • ••, what she wanted to do. But Jeanne, who is very gregarious and enthusiastic, kept saying, 'What can we do for Pat?'" HALDEMAN Jeanne came up with the idea of asking her to join some advertising and he finally determined that the top of the of the wives on an outing to a country fair, "just to get her line was J. Walter Thompson, Inc., in New York. He out of the White House, and do something unofficial and applied for work at the agency, was hired and settled into casual." The idea never worked out, though. the executive position that would be his professional home The same fate befell one of Jo's ideas, which at the time for the next 22 years. seemed to have exceptional promise. Jo looked around her The Haldeman family grew in orderly fashion to include and decided there were a dozen or so attractive and bright two sons and two daughters. Their home base was Los An- young women whose husbands worked for Nixon. Why geles—specifically, the very proper section of Hancock couldn't these women be used as guides for certain func- Park. During the years in , Bob Haldeman be- tions at the White House? They could Seam the history of came interested in, and then committed to, the career of 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. and dispense it to, say, special Richard Nixon. In 1962, Bob became the campaign chair- visitors from the U.S. or from abroad. "It never got off the man for Nixon's California gubernatorial campaign, and ground," says Jo. Perhaps the administration, being so in the 1968 election, he worked as Nixon's chief of staff. `image conscious,' was afraid to use us. And it was clear On Election Day, 1988, Jo and Bob voted early in Los that somebody was afraid we wouldn't give the Nixons Angeles, then flew with Pat and Dick Nixon to New York's enough credit." Waldorf-Astoria Hotel, where they watched Republicans But no one could stop Jo Haldeman from keeping a me- gain control of the White House. It had been under Dem- ticulous history of her own experiences in Washington. ocratic control since 1960, when John Kennedy shattered She filled thick scrapbooks with the intimate photos she Nixon's dream. The next day, the victorious candidate and took, and included her comments. And later she filled up his entourage flew to Key Bis- hundreds of three-by-five recipe cayne, Fla., on a plane loaned cards with anecdotes of people to Nixon by President Johnson. and events. As their husbands worked with Both as photographer and the new President, organizing a amateur diarist, Jo had a good government, Jo and Jeanne Ehr- eye for minute detail and charac- lichman, wife of Nixon aide John ter: Ehrlichman, took a long walk on "Bob's staff party aboard Se- the beach at Key Biscayne. Both quoia [Presidential yacht]. Met now knew that they would have first time, 9-16-71. to live in Washington. "Bab had Interesting man. 'Swinging' bach- high hopes about what could be elor. Administration needs more accomplished. He really felt Nix- like him." on would be a great president. As "Camp David. Twenty trips, controversial as his personality spent total of 54 days. Much to was, be had the makings, the po- do there. Bowling, skeet shoot- tential for greatness." ing, volley ball, tennis, bicycle But Jeanne Ehrlichman was paths. We would use all these more hesitant about moving to facilities freely unless we Imew Washington. John had worked the President was coming out- very hard getting his law prac- side. Then we'd scramble to re- tice started in Seattle, Jo sensed move ourselves!" that Jeanne would have pre- "Lompoc Prison has lines that "Presidential helicopters: In ferred to stay there. Bob cannot step across until his , Nixon would often be- The Haldemans took a furn- gin a trip by personally driving ished apartment at first in—of release. But the walls at San his golf cart to the waiting heli- course—the , Clemente are inescapable." copter. And once, in San Cle- and later moved into a colonial mente, we lifted off in a storm. house in Chevy Chase. The Nixon era began. The 'copter shook so fearfully that we put down again, and Jo Haldeman learned quickly that for the wife of a man Henry Kissinger said, 'If it wasn't for the honor, I think who was chief of staff, political life requires a kind of total I'd prefer to take the bus.' " surrender. She gave her husband to the President. A White "8-13-71. Ellsberg and the . John Ehr- House car picked up Haldeman each morning shortly after lichman and Bob intrigued. Lunch aboard the Sequoia. seven A—NI. and deposited him home again 12 hours later. Bob helped himself to plate of roast beef from buffet, There was usually an attempt at a family dinner—Jo in- caught his leg on the piano, lost his plate. It sailed clear sisted on this—but only Sunday nights were dependably across room like a Frisbee . . a steward, walking through private. On these special evenings, Bob cooked a Cali- door, calmly caught the plate, keeping all food intact fornia barbecue and the family dined al fresco—sometimes except for a shower of peas. Returned it to Bob. What on the front porch in drizzling grayness. service!" The President's wife seemed rather insecure and lonely. Her scrapbooks contain provocative and amusing pho- 1 don't feel that the President gave her much support," tographs. One shows a White House wife calmly reading Jo says. "He was so involved in affairs of state." Jo remem- a paperback aboard Air Force One. The title is clearly vis- bers one moment of genuine warmth and tenderness ible: The President's Plane Is Missing. between the Nixons. That was at their daughter Tricia's Another shows the Haldemans happily munching on wedding, which was "perfect in every way." an elaborate buffet of cold cuts and salads at Key Bis- Jeanne Ehrlichman, in particular, fretted about Pat cayne. This was not White House largesse; rather, it had Nixon's apparent loneliness. Pat seemed to have few been a gift sent to the President by friends and support- friends, other than those in California who were rarely ers. "Wherever the Nixons went," Jo says, "people sent present. "Jeanne decided Pat needed snore in her life," re- food. For security reasons, the Secret Service wouldn't al- calls Jo. "I always assumed that Mrs. Nixon was doing low the President to eat it. So occasionally, (continued) 48

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An outsider would surmise that Mar- porters and Carl Bern- tha Mitchell breathed a little fresh air stein under the headline, "TESTIMONY into the Nixon Administration by saying HALDEMAN TIES TOP NIXON AIDE TO SECRET what she damn well pleased. Jo dis- agrees. "I think FUND." It claimed that Bob Haldeman she was contriving to had supervision over a $700,000 secret they sent it over to us." The king's say what she thought the press tasters. wanted slush fund. Hitherto, the to hear. Martha enjoyed the attention Post articles on the Watergate break-in had not caused Jo Haldeman liked most of the wom- and the publicity. Once she was visiting much concern, other than Jo worrying en whose husbands worked for Richard across the street from our house. Our about their "public relations effect" on Nixon, but Martha Mitchell caused youngest daughter, Ann, happened to mixed feelings. "I only saw her once or the Nixon re-election campaign, then in be selling lemonade. When Martha its climactic moments. twice at parties. I thought of her sympa- heard about it, she came over and thetically as a 'character.' Basically, bought a glass of lemonade. But she also "I was really concerned," remembers Jo. "I pressed Bob for an answer. He was though. I believe she was an embarass- brought a photographer with her. Nat- amazed. He totally shrugged the story ment to the administration. At one party, urally, she got her picture in the evening Martha started flirting with Bob; I think papen" off. He said he might well have such she considered him a challenge. But authority to sign checks, but if so, he was totally unaware of it," when she tried to sit in his lap, I knew All this, though, was relatively harm- that Martha had struck out. Nothing As Watergate grew darker, and a cli- less. The days to come were difficult— mate of concern enveloped the White would turn Bob off more quickly. Over- and more dangerous for everyone. The House, the issues were discussed openly all, John Mitchell's attentions were real- first time that Jo can remember being ly sweet toward her. He would just puff by the Haldeman family in a realistic, worried about Watergate was on Oc- nonemotional way. "Bob was always his pipe and look at her with admiration. tober 25, 1972, when He seemed totally devoted." The Washing- frank with me. He is totally direct and ton Post ran a front-page article by re- honest. Bob really thought (continued)

Jo almost mailed the "open letter" to HALDEMAN without showing it to her husband, but at the last minute Watergate was a minor issue compared she decided he should read it. Bob ap- with the other things the administration preciated what she had written, but sug- gested that she check it out with his HALDEMAN was accomplishing. He simply under- estimated the magnitude of events. We lawyer. When peppery, red-faced attor- continued kept thinking it all might pass. , . . At ney John Wilson studied the letter, be of absence or an outright resignation seemed to be Bob': least until the Ervin committee hearings said, "Absolutely not! The moment this only options. Haldeman had been given a letter from Ray started. 1 remember Jeanne Ehrlichman letter is published, then you are linked Price, Nixon's speech writer, suggesting reasons why Bob asking Bob during those hearings, 'Do with the break-in. You are tying your- should resign. you really think we'll have to leave self to people you don't know and with "I was somewhat resentful of that letter because I wanted Washington?' And Bob nodded yes. He whom you may not wish to be con- Bob to make up his own mind. I took a Icing walk by mysell knew the end was approaching." nected." Jo put the letter away. along the asphalt road on the perimeter of Camp David. The One of the first names to emerge as The biggest blow to Jo came when tulips were out; the day was beautiful. I made up a list of being under investigation was White the tapes of Oval Office conversations the pluses and minuses of Bob's staying. The pluses out- House aide Jeb Magruder. Jo's heart were released. She was upset—not only weighed the minuses, so I argued for his staying on. I felt went out to the young man and to his by the profane nature of the dialogue, that if Bob's resignation would serve the presidency and the family. but because the tapes seemed to repre- nation, then well and good. Our wishes would naturally have "I had never been to Gail Magruder's sent the sum total of the Nixon presi- to bend. But I didn't think Bob's quitting would accomplish home," Jo says, "but I decided to drop dency, when "so much else" was now anything except to give the press another statistic. And to by and take her some violets and tell her being forgotten. temporarily take the pressure away from the presidency." how sorry I was for what was happen- On Easter weekend, 1973, the Halde- ing and how much I supported her. Soon mans were at Camp David, and both The trial of H. R. Haldeman lasted three months, and on after that, Watergate fragmented all of knew that it was their last visit to the New Year's Day, 1975, Jo made her last entry in a journal us. When the press zeroed in on one lovely compound. A leave (continued) she kept. The jury was out deliberating when she arrived at person, everybody else had to stay away. the courthouse. "In court by 8:45 A.M. It's a holiday. No traf- So many fine families, who had been fic. Empty halls. No elevator or escalator working. Walked in united by a cause, were now left alone, with Judge Sirica and his marshal. First time that's happened. defending themselves." Camaraderie here in 'our' rooms, We all know each other after so much time together. Lovely day. Sun and clouds. Up Open letter written to 50 degrees . . . 9:45: Lawyers go to judge's chambers for At the height of the scandal, Jo sat meeting. We wait. Marshal suddenly announces, 'We have down and wrote an "open letter" to all a verdict.' My mind is blank . . . grab my purse and hankie the Watergate wives. They were the for- before taking my place in the courtroom. I'm between Jeanne gotten victims, she believed. "My heart Ehrlichman and Pam Parkinson. Thank heavens Jeanne has was aching for all these women. They with her her notes on that fabulous lesson, 'God, the Preserver had suffered so much by surrendering of Man.' I felt very uptight. . . Cold and shaky, An unfor- their husbands to the White House. Now gettable sight to see Bob standing before the judge. . . . My their lives were being destroyed. My let- eyes are closed ... tight .. . when the verdict is read: Guilty! ter was a statement of support and com- I knew it would be, because it was reached so quickly.. passion for these women. I guess you Dorothy Mardian [wife of Robert Mardian] very resentful. could say that I was ready to use, for the Gives Bronx cheer. I'm concerned the press might think I first time, my position, such as it was." was the one who did it. "Dorothy points finger at the (continued on page 149) 0' • •

singer had also been the first to call after HALDEMAN Bob's resignation. continued from page 55 HALDEMAN A few months later, when school be- prosecutor and says, 'I'm going to get gan, the children dispersed, and Jo, left alone, was faced with the reality that her you,' We return to 'our' rooms, but the Then, last June, the Haldemans faced camaraderie has vanished. Once again husband would be a federal prisoner for the day they had most dreaded. On a perhaps as long as eight years. Now we are fragmented.. .. Outside, a freak Tuesday, before the photographers be- windstorm has come up. Rain blows came the time for sorting out her feel- gan gathering on her lawn, Jo Haldeman ings about people who had shared the against the windows. .. . I must call our hacked the family station wagon out of beloved families in Calfomia. . • . How the driveway and drove her husband to Watergate drama with her. strange this is...." the Lompoc Federal Prison. To break up The broken marriage of John and Jeanne Ehrlichman is particularly sad- The Haldemans returned to Los An- the three-hour drive, they stopped at a geles and bought a smaller Tudor home McDonald's for a hamburger. Jo dening to Jo, for she believes that Water- felt gate destroyed in the Hancock Park section. Jo decorat- "the only way to get this behind us, a very tender union. ed it with little enthusiasm. "I was in really behind us, was for my husband to "They are among the most poignant limbo and still am," she says. go to prison and satisfy those who felt casualties," she says. A stranger who comes to the home he should he punished." And John Dean would not immediately know that a man At the prison's administration build- who had been the second most power- And then there's John Dean. "He ing, they kissed and Jo attempted to lacked loyalty and acted totally in his ful man in Washington lived there. Only smile. She watched Bob disappear in- own behalf." She can find only a few a few souvenirs of the Nixon years are side. He carried only a paper bag con- major inaccuracies in either his Water- on display in the downstairs area, some taining his shaving kit and some Chris- gate appearances, or in his book. How- scrapbooks are stacked in a corner of the tian Science books. Later, the prison ever, "His revelations were self-serving den, and a tapestry of the Great Wall of sent home his pants, his belt and a pair and distorted the presidency and the China hangs above a sofa. There are no of toenail clippers. They were forbidden, photographs of Richard Nixon down- events." she was informed. What about Richard Nixon? stairs, although an upstairs office is filled When Jo returned home from taking with them. Downstairs, Jo has put out When Jo Haldeman thinks of the fall- Bob to Lompoc, the telephone was ring- en President, and speaks about him, it is photographs of her children, her parents ing, and Henry Kissinger was on the line. and her in-laws. with considerable difficulty. Her normal- He wanted her to know that his thoughts ly lucid sentences become almost in- had been with her on this difficult morn- Financial burden shifts articulate, and she frequently pauses. ing. "I can't talk now, Henry," she apolo- Curiously, there is no bitterness, at least On the last plane ride home from gized, breaking down and sobbing for none that Washington, Jo assessed her family's sit- the first time. She remembered that Kis- she has shown to anyone. uation and realized that the financial "It's so difficult to even (continued) burden was now on her: Bob's immedi- 150 ate future clearly would be spent work- kinds of prisons. I'll take Lompoc. . ." ing on legal appeals. And, if they failed, Friends often ask Jo what she and he faced a prison sentence. She reviewed HALDEMAN Bob will do when he is released. What job possibilities. But when Bob gave her scar will their ordeal leave on their mar- a real-estate course as a gift, that be- began talking about President Nixon, riage? Jo sums it up candidly and grace- came the solution. Today, Jo has an she says cautiously. "As far as Water- fully: association with a dynamic woman gate goes, I certainly don't admire the "There was more strain on my mar- named Lucy Bell, who is a very success- President's actions. However, I—and I riage from being a Washington wife ful real tor. (continued) mean this with tremendous sincerity— than from enduring Watergate. The fun- I think what happened to Bob, to John ny thing is that Watergate strengthened 149 Ehrlichman and to John Mitchell has our relationship and our love. In Wash- been very hard on Richard Nixon. I feel ington, Bob Haldeman was very much that it has affected him emotionally . . married to the White House. Now Bob deeply . . . it's just that he's not able to Haldeman is very 'much married to me. Arid I like it." express these feelings openly. . . . What End to say? . . 'Gee, I'm sorry'? . . . Often people wonder why I'm not bitter. . . . But I'm not. Bob served a cause and, if he could turn back the dock, he would consider it a privilege to serve again. . . . Maybe this sounds Polly- annish—but it's how I feel...." Richard Nixon has telephoned "a times" since his downfall. Once, to wishfew Jo and Bob a happy anniversary; the other times to check facts he needed for his book, But as to their fate, Jo has nev- er heard a word, either from the former President or his wife. Some of Jo Haldeman's friends find this appalling, but Jo does not. "There are lines at Lompoc Prison that Bob can- not step across until he is released," she points out. "But the walls at San Cle- mente are inescapable. There are all 152