Agnew Resigns (PJW)

October 1, 1971
WASHINGTON: Moments ago, Spiro Agnew officially resigned from the Vice Presidency, the second in history to do so.

After details were released of Agnew's corrupt dealings while he was Baltimore County Executive, Governor of Maryland, and Vice President, including kickbacks in exchange for contracts, accepting over $100,000 in bribes, extortion, and tax fraud.

"The Vice Presidency should be held by someone trustworthy, and right America has good reason not to trust me," Agnew stated in his resignation speech earlier today. "As the storm clouds swirl above the White House, fighting these charges would have only made the presidential line of succession even darker, and it would be highly irresponsible and unpatriotic of me to leave this line in doubt. Now, more than ever, when the armies of our enemies march across the world, we need to know who is in charge - and who will be in charge. It would be selfish of me to remain here, contesting charges, while division and uncertainty divided our country. We must remain united and strong in these times."

Agnew's representatives stated the former Vice President plans on pleading no contest to the charges.

As the Drake Scandal continues to push Nixon into a darker corner, it is highly likely that the man Nixon picks as Vice President will eventually be in charge of the country. There is no doubt his pick will be highly scrutinized and subject to debate. Likely candidates include Minority Leader Leslie C. Arends, Minority Whip Gerald Ford, and Secretary of Housing and Urban Development George Romney.

There is also the issue of Speaker of the House Wilbur Mills - a Democrat - being next in line for the Oval Office. Should Nixon fail to find a successor, Mills and the Democrats will be taking over the White House, something which both Republicans and Democrats have taken note of.