From Hearings Before the Select Committee on Presidential Campaign Activities of the United States Senate Ninety-Third Congress First Session. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1973. 1526-1528.

Senator [Daniel] Inouye. Mr. [John] Dean, I would like now to refer to a memo dated August 16, 1971, and you have testified that this was prepared for Mr. Haldeman, Mr. Ehrlichman, and others at the White House. It is dated August 16, 1971. It is classified "Confidential." Subject: "Dealing With Our Political Enemies." I would like to read part of this: . . .

This is a very important memorandum. Is this your idea of restraining influence?

Mr. Dean: As I said, Senator, in the memorandum, first of all, as I answered that question yesterday, it took a good bit of push before I would prepare even a document like that. I had request after request after request to prepare this. I didn't know a thing about how to handle something like this, so I went and talked to other people about it. I think that is indicated in the memorandum itself.

I also made it very clear in the memorandum that this is something that I personally was not going to get involved in. Whoever that project coordinator was going to be, it was not going to be John Dean, because I just didn't want to get involved in doing the sort of things they wanted.

As I say, when the thing didn't float, they kept sending their political enemies' suggestions back to me. I never did a thing to get a project coordinator. There was some rather loose talk about individuals who might handle this; I can't even recall their names now. I made no effort to find somebody to head this up and while there was a conception on behalf of some who kept sending these things in for my political enemies project, there was no political enemies project operating out of my office.

So I thought that while the memo had gone out and, you know, satisfied my superiors that something was being done, in fact, it was not being done. So I felt there was a restraint.

Senator Inouye. It is your testimony, then, that this memo described an activity which, in the minds of your supporters, was considered important.

Mr. Dean. That is correct.

Senator Inouye. It was not a wild or crazy scheme?

Mr. Dean. To me it was a wild and crazy scheme, because I felt I just didn't operate that way.

Senator Inouye. Was it considered a wild or crazy scheme for Mr. Haldeman or Mr. Ehrlichman?

Mr. Dean. No sir.

Senator Inouye. In your testimony, you have submitted several exhibits with lists of names-politicos, Members of Congress, members of the media, and members of the entertainment field, et cetera, et cetera, taking this memo together with that list--

Mr. Dean. I might add also, Senator, before we go forward, I didn't believe that list is complete in and of itself. It just happens to be a part that I received and had access to before my files were shut down. There may well be additional names and additional information available in that.

Senator Inouye. Mr. Dean, I believe one list would have been enough.

Mr. Dean. Indeed it would.

Senator Inouye. And on one of your exhibits, you had a copy of a memo which suggests that certain things can be done, such as calling the Internal Revenue Service.

Now, in addition to that, you testified that on one of your meetings with President Nixon, you quoted the President as saying, "We will take care of them after the election," when the President referred to enemy newsmen.

Is that correct, sir?

Mr. Dean. That is correct.

Senator Inouye. How was this memo implemented? Could you give us examples, concrete examples?

Mr. Dean. The memo itself was never implemented. I never did have a political enemies project that was in any way operational.

Senator Inouye. However, we do have evidence here that, for example, a TV commentator with CBS was in fact audited by the Internal Revenue Service just for the purpose of harassment, isn't that correct?

Mr. Dean. Well, I know Mr. Schorr had an FBI investigation.

Senator Inouye. Oh, it was an FBI?

Mr. Dean. Yes, it was. I know there were other instances. These did not come from me.

Another instance, many times, members of the staff who were operating in the political arena would want to see a tax return. My office was supposed to be the office to have the facility to receive from the Internal Revenue tax returns. I never called at any time that I can ever remember while I was there to the Director of the Internal Revenue Service requesting he send over a tax return on any individual to my office.

Senator Inouye. Have you ever seen tax returns?

Mr. Dean. Have I other than my own?

Senator Inouye. Other than your own.

Mr. Dean. Only in connection with clearing individuals who voluntarily submitted them in relationship to a nomination for a Presidential appointment.