Bag Man: The Wild Crimes, Audacious Cover-up, and Spectacular Downfall of a Brazen Crook in the White House by Rachel Maddow and Michael Yarvitz [304 Pages]
Brief Overview
If you ask many people today who Spiro Agnew is, there is a good chance they will have no idea who you are talking about. “Stop with those fake names!” I told someone who actually lived through the 1970s about this book and she didn’t remember the events portrayed in it.
This book grew out of a podcast. It tells a timely story of a remarkably outrageous example of public corruption. It also tells a story about idealistic public servants who not only exposed corruption but brought the people involved to justice. They did this even though the person was in the same presidential administration as they were.
A sitting vice president, Spiro Agnew (no really, he was vice president from 1969-73), continued the bribery and extortion ring that he started as governor. And, since President Nixon had his own problems (Watergate), there was a chance that Agnew could become president of the United States. By the end, it is a race against time to pressure Agnew to resign.
The book is also a look at the remarkable rise and then spectacular downfall of Spiro Agnew. Agnew fit the needs of Richard Nixon, serving as his partisan attack dog. The book fits Spiro Agnew into the political and cultural times of the 1960s and 1970s, giving us a window into the times and an insider view of the Nixon Administration.
Viewers of Rachel Maddow’s television show are familiar with how her eyes light up when she talks about a fascinating political story with a lot of juicy details. This is such a book.
Favorite Quote
But when the very worst people are at the top of the American government and willing to use the awesome powers of their office to stay there and thwart justice, the protection of the Constitution requires the very best people, also in office, willing to stand up to do what’s right.
Both aspects of this quote are found in this book — both the bad and good in government. And, yes, especially for the author herself, it is also a lesson for the present.
Should I Read It?
A book co-written by a popular liberal journalist is probably going to have a certain immediate audience. And, yes, the book will remind many of the doings of Donald Trump and the efforts (or lack thereof) to investigate and bring Trump and those involved with him to justice.
Fans of the podcast will also enjoy this book, though the written word does not have the same flavor as audio which provides a chance to listen to the actual people involved. There are tapes, as history buffs know, and the podcast allows you to listen to them. Here you must imagine.
The book should be enjoyed by a wider audience. Rachel Maddow’s previous two books (like the books of her colleague and friend, Chris Hayes, too) were somewhat “wonky,” very serious accounts of the subjects covered. This book is written with a lighter touch, probably with some influence from her co-author. This makes the book more approachable to a wider audience.
The readability factor helps. But, the subject matter is also a reason to read this book, especially if you are not familiar with the details of the story. Spiro Agnew is like a supporting character in a movie that adds a special life and interest to the story, showing how it is about more than the leads. And, that supporting character tells you a lot about the story too.
The book adds some good artwork (see the cover itself), photographs and transcripts to increase reader interest and understanding. The basic story is interesting and well-told without a hectoring partisan brush. People of any political party who want to read about this story can enjoy this book. I am not sure about Spiro Agnew partisans, but not sure how many are left.
One caveat — and viewers of Rachel Maddow will not be surprised here either — is that there are a lot of details (weeds, let’s say) that some readers might find tedious at some point. But, there are a lot of colorful characters and details to help the reader along as well.
Comprehensive Summary
Chapter 1: Divider in Chief
Richard Nixon had a surprise: Spiro Agnew, a little-known governor of Maryland, was his running mate. Agnew was a political outsider, appealed to the working class, and was “unfiltered.” Nixon could float above the fray, while Agnew bluntly tossed “red meat” to the public.
Vice President Agnew continued his nasty attack dog style while in office. Nixon could play “good cop” to Congress, while Agnew attacked congressional Democrats. Agnew particularly attacked the press, seen by many of his supporters as very liberal, including in thinly anti-Semitic tones. This had some nasty consequences; still with us today in some form.
Chapter 2: Follow the Money
Nixon/Agnew was re-elected in 1972, but then the Watergate scandal broke, leading to congressional and federal prosecutors becoming involved along with the press.
A Maryland congressman’s suicide called attention to the state’s financial corruption. Three young U.S. prosecutors were involved in the investigation. An important figure in the corruption scheme was the “bagman,” a sort of middleman who accepted bribes to hand out to others.
Chapter 3: Just Being Careful
The U.S. Attorney in Baltimore was a young up and comer in state Republican Party politics, George Beall. Beall made political corruption in his home state a priority. Things started out low-key, but then Beall received a call from the U.S. Attorney General himself. It turns out that Vice President Agnew was concerned about the investigation. Huh.
Chapter 4: “Otherwise Decent”
A Maryland engineering company was found by federal prosecutors to be involved in financial corruption. Lester Matz worked with the prosecutors and through his lawyer fingered Spiro Agnew. Spiro Agnew? Yup. He was continuing even now, as vice president, to take bribes.
Chapter 5: “Oh My God!”
U.S. Attorney George Beall decided it was time to tell Elliot Richardson, the new U.S. Attorney General, that there was evidence that the vice president himself was a criminal.
Richardson was President Nixon’s third Attorney General, the other two victims of the ongoing Watergate scandal. Richardson was in his early 50s, had a distinguished career in politics, and already served in two Nixon Cabinet slots by this point.
Chapter 6: The Prudent Course [July 1973]
Elliot Richardson, the new U.S. Attorney General, was informed that there was evidence that the vice president himself was a criminal. Richardson’s nightmare — President Nixon’s illness at the time didn’t help — was that somehow Agnew would become president. Given the stakes, Richardson wanted the evidence to be crystal clear before signing off on a prosecution.
Chapter 7: “I Have No Intention to Be Skewered in This Fashion”
The Agnew investigation was discussed by the press and became public. The stakes: bribery, extortion, cash payments in the White House itself. Agnew fought back, having many supporters. One approach, following his tried and true, was to attack the press and “leaks.”
Chapter 8: “Is He a Good Boy?”
The Agnew investigation was discussed by the press and became public. The stakes: bribery, extortion, cash payments in the White House itself. Agnew fought back, having many supporters. Agnew tried to get others, including the then chairman of the Republican National Committee, George H.W. Bush (Bush41), to pass a message to the federal prosecutor to lay off.
(Some of this is on the Nixon tapes, many of which you can now listen to.)
Chapter 9: “High-Risk Ball”
By 1973, Richard Nixon had enough of Vice President Agnew, wanting him to resign. It was not a matter of being concerned about Agnew’s integrity; his political usefulness was lacking by this point. Nixon also was annoyed with him on a personal level. Agnew would not get Nixon’s help.
Chapter 10: “Two Conditions”
Richardson was given a list of charges to bring against Agnew. A plea bargain seemed to be imminent. Vice President Agnew had two conditions: no prison time in return for him being able to resign with dignity. But, the news leaked to the press, leading Agnew to cry “witch hunt.”
Chapter 11: In His Time of Greatest Need
Richardson was given a list of charges to bring against Agnew. A plea bargain seemed to be imminent. But, the news leaked to the press, leading Agnew to cry “witch hunt.”
Meanwhile, a legal memorandum was crafted by the Office of Legal Counsel: you can (as compared to the president) indict a sitting vice president. Agnew’s argument that it was impeachment (nice and drawn out time-wise) or nothing was rejected.
[The book in the epilogue brings forth evidence that the OLC’s argument that a sitting president could not be prosecuted — which arose again during the Mueller Investigation of then President Trump — also left a lot to be desired. But, the argument is still official policy.]
Chapter 12: “I’m a Big Trophy”
As evidence of Agnew’s crimes was presented to a federal grand jury, the vice president continued to defend himself. Republican women stood out as his defenders.
Chapter 13: Subpoena Envy
As evidence of Agnew’s crimes was presented to a federal grand jury, the vice president continued to defend himself. Republican women stood out as his defenders.
The Attorney General defended the investigation in response to Agnew’s allegations of wrongdoing. Agnew’s lawyers attempted to get the presiding judge to allow them to investigate the press, to further muddy the waters.
But, the U.S. solicitor general (Robert Bork) then released the news that it would be the position of the federal government that a sitting vice president could be prosecuted.
Chapter 14: “We Going to be Criticized for What We Do Here Today” [October 1973]
Agnew ultimately pled “no contest” to a single count of tax evasion from 1967, before he became vice president. He also agreed to resign from office. This was the first time a sitting vice president appeared in federal court to answer criminal charges, plead guilty, and resign.
Elliot Richardson ten days later resigned during the so-called “Saturday Night Massacre” related to President Nixon’s opposition to giving certain materials to Watergate investigators. It is unclear what would have happened if Agnew did not plead guilty before this occurred.
Chapter 15: Why’d He Do It?
Agnew later claimed he resigned because of pressure, maybe hints of something more sinister, from higher ups. More likely he worried about more things being revealed, including intimate personal details (including adultery) involving ill-gotten gains.
Chapter 16: Disappearing Act
Agnew’s plea deal resulted in a sentence of probation and a $10,000 fine.
A law professor, who was in the courthouse to observe Agnew’s resignation, brought a suit on behalf of the people of Maryland that led to a $268,482 defraud judgment against Agnew. And, because Agnew waived lawyer/client privilege by bringing him up in a memoir, Agnew’s former lawyer testified about Agnew discussing his guilt.
Indirectly, the nation received a full confession.
Epilogue
Agnew’s plea deal resulted in a sentence of probation and a $10,000 fine.
A law professor, who was a witness to his resignation, brought a suit on behalf of the people of Maryland that led to a $268,482 defraud judgment against Agnew. And, because Agnew waived lawyer/client privilege by bringing him up in a memoir, Agnew’s former lawyer testified about Agnew discussing his guilt. Indirectly, the nation received a full confession.
Agnew started a consulting firm, including doing business with Saudi Arabia. Once he sought out money from the Saudis to defend himself from “Zionist efforts to destroy me.”
The nation has much to thank federal prosecutors, in the face of much pressure, for bringing him to justice. The whole affair shows the best and worst of government service.
Points to Ponder
Many will consider recent events while reading this book. What (if anything) has changed that would make the various things that happen less likely to occur today?
Spiro Agnew is portrayed as perhaps the worst vice president the United States ever had. Agnew was seen as useful to Richard Nixon in various ways. Consider the “value” of people you consider to be horrible, why they were chosen for their position.
About the Author
Rachel Maddow is a MSNBC host with a doctorate in politics and degree in public policy. She also wrote two other books that both are more “wonky”:
- Drift: The Unmooring of American Military Power
- Blowout: Corrupted Democracy, Rogue State Russia, and the Richest, Most Destructive Industry on Earth
Michael Yarvitz is an Emmy and Peabody award-winning television producer and journalist. He was the executive producer and co-writer of the podcast series Bag Man. This is his first book.
Is “Big Man” a Reliable Read?
This book is well-sourced, including interviews of those directly involved and the use of key documents important to the events. The book has careful endnotes, but no index (boo).
Rachel Maddow is well skilled at political research and her reputation for trustworthiness is shown by her decades-long career. Blurbs from former U.S. attorneys of both Democratic and Republican administrations are suggestive here. The book is reliable.