Conspiracy theories, as Richard Hofstadter noted, can target any demographic group. Nixon's targeted three: Jews, intellectuals, and Ivy Leaguers. Nixon privately called all three groups "arrogant" and said they placed themselves "above the law." By telling himself that Jews, intellectuals and Ivy Leaguers were immoral, even criminal, Nixon gave himself permission to do immoral, even criminal, things to any Jew, intellectual or Ivy Leaguer whom he feared could cause him political harm.

NB: This clips contains expressions of opinions that many people will find offensive.

Date:  Jul 05, 1971
Participants:  Richard Nixon, Bob Haldeman, Ron Ziegler
Conversation Number:  537-004