1973.07.31 “Shipwrecked”
by Eddie Germano (1924-2026)
11 x 15, ink and wash on board
Coppola Collection
A native Bostonian, Germano became a full-time cartoonist in 1948, at age 24, after serving in WWII. Among other positions, he worked as the editorial and sports cartoonist for the Brockton Enterprise from 1963-1990.
A conservative’s view of events.
Drinan (D-Massachusetts) was the first member of Congress to formally introduce a resolution calling for Nixon’s impeachment, on July 31, 1973.
H. Res. 513 - “Richard M. Nixon, President of the United States, is impeached of high crimes and misdemeanors.”
It was immediately referred to the House Judiciary Committee, exactly as House procedure required. There was no floor debate and no House vote on the resolution.
At that point he was widely viewed as something of a lone crusader. The House Judiciary Committee had not yet opened a formal impeachment inquiry (that came in October), and many politicians regarded impeachment as politically unrealistic.
Drinan’s principal constitutional argument wasn’t Watergate. He argued that Nixon’s secret bombing of Cambodia without congressional authorization constituted an impeachable abuse of executive power.
Drinan found himself almost completely alone. Even many Democrats thought he had acted too early. Chairman Peter Rodino acknowledged impeachment was a serious constitutional matter but did not rush the proposal. The resolution attracted no cosponsors and simply remained in committee.
The tide turned within a few months. Watergate was still unfolding, and the famous White House tapes had not yet transformed public opinion.
