“Deep Throat's information, and in my view, courage, allowed the newspaper to use what he knew and suspected.”
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The number of illegal activities were so large that one was bound to come out and lead to the uncovering of the others. Nixon was too willing to use the power of government to settle scores and get even with enemies.
The failure of the system to deal quickly was attributable to Nixon's lying, stonewalling and refusal to come clean. So it took 26 months for the final truth to be known.
Using these unnamed sources, if done properly, carefully and fairly, provides more accountability in government.
Watergate provides a model case study of the interaction and powers of each of the branches of government. It also is a morality play with a sad and dramatic ending.