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Richard Nixon and 50 years of Gates

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As the rest of America and Americanophiles fix their eyes on Trump and Harris it’s almost gone unnoticed that it’s half a century today since the fall of Richard Nixon and 50 years of Gates.

The resignation of the 37th President of the United States was one of those stop-in-your-tracks moments then.,

But time, forgiveness, David Frost’s probings, and future presidents outdoing him since has seen us all move on.

Read all about it: All The President’s Men

What has become a constant, without I suspect many knowing, why is the use of the suffix Gate.

All of which have been affixed to someone’s name or an institution or form of misbehaviour to denote misbehaviour.

Well, Watergate was the building which housed Democratic offices which were broken into.

By agents working for Nixon’s Republican party as part of the campaign to re-elect the President.

Gates galore

So, there you are that’ll save you the two and a half hours trying to figure out what’s going on in All The President’s Men.

But seriously, do watch it, and I do and every time and it reconfirms my desire to do this journalist scribbling thing.

In the hope that one day, even now I’m 59, that I could do a Woodward & Bernstein.

And so we have had Vietgate, Whitewatergate, Monicagate, Camillagate, Emailgate, Garglegate against Boozing Brian Cowen, the-then Irish Taoiseach.

Squidgygate against Princess Diana, Officegate directed at former Scottish First Minister Henry McLeish.

And our favourite Gategate when Tory MP Andrew Mitchell had a go at a police officer at the gate to Downing Street.

A history of Nixons and Kennedys

Best of enemies: Kennedy neighbours Watergate

The original Watergate is still there and for political anoraks like yours truly it was always going to be on the list of must-visit sites in the endlessly-enjoyable American capital.

It was refreshing to see that little had changed since Nixon’s day.

The complex still includes three luxury apartment buildings, the hotel/office building, and two office buildings.

What did surprise me as I hadn’t done all my homework is that it sits next to the Kennedy Center.

John F Kennedy being his nemesis back in the 1960 Presidential run-off.

Read all about it in the library

Seat of power: The 48th President of America: In Washington DC

Only that perceptions can be misleading and when I then met the good folk who run the Richard Nixon Library in California at the American Travel Fair.

I was told how the two families became great friends in latter years.

And that Pat Nixon became First Lady one of the first people she invited was Jackie.

As for Richard Nixon, he returned to the international stage in later life as an unofficial ambassador and consultant.

Much of it under the radar while others were affixed to the surname given to his greatest indiscretion… Richard Nixon and 50 years of Gates.

At the heart of it: Watergate Hotel by the banks of the Potomac

Of course, this being America, everything is an opportunity for promotion and the Watergate Hotel on the banks of the Potomac makes the most of his moment of notoriety.

It’s a five-star where you can stay from €299 per night.

And again we always advise to fly out of Dublin with Aer Lingus with pre-clearance, from €232.77.

Countries

The Return of Ronnie Reagan

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And as America’s first movie matinee idol President the Great Communicator was always going to live for ever on the big screen, which is why it’s surprising that we’ve had to wait this long for the Return of Ronnie Reagan and a movie of his life.

For Fifty Somethings Reagan was really the President we all grew up with and a larger-than-life, or Spitting Image latex puppet head, character.

But the lampoons of the 40th President of the United States aside they do the Great Man a great discredit.

It is timely to honour the Old Cowboy who bestrode the great divide of American society.

And was also the main driver in the end of the Cold War.

When I reconnected with America after a 20-year pause in the Noughties Reagan was on the rise again.

He had alas left us after a dignified battle with Dementia.

But the torch had been passed down through his great friends, the Bushes.

A Capitol idea

Chilling: Attempt on Ronnie Reagan’s life outside the Washington Hilton

And I found myself in the company in Washington DC of those who protected his legacy at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library.

It was my first I hope of many meetings with the Great and Good of American travel at IPW which was being hosted by the nation’s capital.

And arriving at the Washington Hilton Hotel forecourt I felt a chill.

Like millions must have since the President was shot by John Hinckley Jnr.

Hat’s the fella: Dennis Quaid as Ronnie Reagan

Now to find Reagan’s stamp in Washington you’ll want to go to the Rotunda in the Capitol.

Where he stands resplendent on a plinth significantly on top of fragments of the Berlin Wall.

Donated by the state of California which he served with distinction as a governor.

Playing it by the book

On a pedestal: Ronnie Reagan in the Capitol

It is, of course, the Golden State which is most associated with Reagan.

And that is where his Presidential Library has curated the artefacts of his time in the White House.

And we get regular updates on all they are doing out there.

To promote his life and his legacy in today’s America.

Including for this descendant of Ireland a recreation of the Irish pub where he drank on his state visit in 1984.

Whether that will pop up in the titular movie, well, we’re still waiting.

On our invite over to Simi Valley for the premiere.

Reagan is based on a on the 2006 book by Paul Kengor The Crusader: Ronald Reagan and the Fall of Communism.

And it follows Ronnie (Dennis Quaid) and his life from his childhood.

To his years as POTUS, told by former KGB agent Viktor Ivanov (Jon Voigt).

Out in the States on August 30, it’s one more for the Gipper which all you Reaganites will instantly recognise.

America, Countries, Deals, Sport

A Tee Party in the Capital Region

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One thing we can all agree on in this US election cycle is that there’s going to be a Tee Party in the Capital Region when the Solheim Cup rolls in.

Fresh from making my pitch for my local course, Muirfield.

To golfing great Sir Nick Faldo at the Open at Royal Troon I’m looking further afield.

The golf tours move on, to the Olympics in Paris and now the men’s majors are done for the year, the women’s game.

Solheim from home

We have a special interest in my new stomping ground of North Berwick, the best place in Britain to live in.

In Solheim Cup great and proud townswoman Catriona Matthew.

And a special relationship with DC, Maryland and Virginia through family there and friends met at the US Travel Fair, IPW.

All under the umbrella of the Capital Region.

Capital gains

Reflections: After sunset from the edge of the reflecting pool in Washington DC.

I will often advise newbies to travelling in America that if they can’t do it all then the Capital Region is America in a nutshell.

Maryland, in fact, bills itself as America in Miniature while the capital and its Smithsonian Museums, tells the story of the States.

The next President of America: In Washington DC

And Virginia is your entry to the Deep South where the Trump posters we saw in 2016 will have been adapted to replace Pence for Vance.

Now if you think the divisions in American politics and society has reached a new breaking point.

Then it is worth noting that Virginia was the theatre for the first major battle of the US Civil War.

Battleground tourism

Stonewall it: With Stonewall Jackson in Manassas.

And why does this matter? Well, just because, but because you’ll be staying in Manassas for your golf.

Your Golf Travel offers packages to the Solheim Cup in Gainesville, Virginia.

All of which takes place from September 10-15, starting from £2215pp including flights.

You’ll get six nights bed and breakfast at the Hampton Inn in Gainesville or the Tru by Hilton in Manassas.

And the news: From the Capitol: In Washington

The practice day and tournament day tickets, Solheim Cup return transfers, 24-hour concierge service and event party.

Visitors wishing to add golfing experiences in the Capital Region USA can add a tailor-made holiday to the package for an additional cost.

Picnic time

And if it might seem quirky to be a tourist in a battlefield town then consider this.

Day trippers descended on Manassas, or Bull Run, with picnic blankets to watch the fighting.

We’re hoping and expecting that the two sets of rivals will keep it more gentlewomanly on their field of battle.

And that you can enjoy your Tee Party in the Capital Region.

America, Countries

Our American Cousins and Lincoln

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Few will even know what play was being performed when the US President was assassinated but it has a resonance for Our American Cousins and Lincoln.

The British half of me (in truth Scottish) will know that figuratively and diplomatically Britons and Americans are ‘Cousins’.

The Irish in me informs that Our American Cousins are real and close…

And have been the trigger for me schooling myself in American history and literature.

The play’s the thing

English playwright Tom Taylor’s Our American Cousin was the play performed before Abraham Lincoln this day 159 years ago.

At Ford’s theatre in Washington DC which despite devouring all the history I could on my last visit remains on the to do list.

It’s always wise to leave yourself something left to see so that you will return… and I have a long list.

Which also includes George Washington’s house in Mount Vernon, and The Exorcist steps in Georgetown.

For the ages

Titans: Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln on stage

It is easy for history buffs to oversee, or run out of time, in DC when you’re mopping up Smithsonians.

But if you’re about DC today or would like to prepare yourself for next year’s 160th anniversary then Ford’s Theatre’s doors are open.

As they have been since 1968, putting on live performances, having been shut for 100 years.

With a full season each year from September to May.

Of course, as you’d expect, Lincoln is front and centre of many of those performances.

Although there are timeless classics too such as Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol which runs from November 21-December 31.

Which covers my own birthday (hint!)

Your inner 1865 theatregoer

Now, this being America, they do visitors centres bigger and better.

And your visit will include the Ford’s Theatre Museum.

Where you can immerse yourself in exhibits on Lincoln’s presidency, Civil War milestones and the John Wilkes Booth plot.

While, of course, you will be able to channel your inner 1965 theatregoer in the playhouse.

Now the Ford’s Theatre experience is for the ages.

And you can pay tribute to The Great Deliverer where he died at Peterson House, the boarding rooms where he died.

All this too at just $3.50, taking in the museum, a Theatre: Ranger Talk and Peterson House with booking ahead advised.

It’s helpful, of course, when you have family out there and you have a landmark 60th birthday coming up, 100 years after Abe’s next year.

All of which makes us glad for our American Cousins and Lincoln.

How to get there

Honest Jim: And Honest Abe in Washington

Now it’s always the Aers and Stripes for us particularly as Aer Lingus has pre-clearance.

And Ireland’s national airline carrier have a sample fare for September 14 for five days for €532.36.

And while we have our own digs sorted at our American Cousins we’d recommend you go to the Washington Hilton where Ronald Reagan was shot at $1,912.47 for five nights.

America, Countries, Food & Wine

A tale of two Dubliners

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Now, it’s rarely a good idea to get between two fighting Dubliners.

And never the famous fighting Irish, the emigrees who fled the Famine and built America and its best bars.

The two Dubliners in question here are pubs in Washington DC and Boston.

The Washington Dubliner has been pouring porter (that’s Guinness for the uninitiated) since 1975.

But they got a nasty taste in their mouth in the capital following the recent opening of the Boston Dubliner.

We’ll sue you in court

Records show that they have taken out a law suit against the Bostonians.

Saying: ‘In the suit against the East Coast Tavern Group, filed in US District Court in Boston, the Washington Dubliner, founded in 1975, is asking for the Boston Dubliner, opened last year in the space where Kinsale used to be in Center Plaza, to be ordered to change its name.

‘And pay all the profits it’s made, plus damages and attorney’s fees to be determined by the court.’

Now the Boston Dubliner, like its Irish cousin has a healthy opinion of itself.

With its site boasting that it serves the best pint of Guinness in Boston.

Now I’ve yet to road-test it, preferring, of course to patronise my old stomping ground of The Black Rose.

The Washington version in the Phoenix Park Hotel in for its part has its own brand of whiskey.

Sing for your supper

And that we’ve discovered is really at the heart of the dispute.

Because the Bostonians stand accused of selling that very brand in their bar.

Makes sense as you’d have to imagine that there would be more than two Dubliner pubs on the eastern seaboard.

Because there have been Dubliner pubs from as far apart as Bolivia, Prague and Iraq.

It’s not just drink though where the two Dubliners find a lack of a common ground.

With both claiming the best music.

The Boston Dubliner drawing Dermot Kennedy in to sing there while the Washington bar a fave for its gigs.

We’ll keep you updated when we find out more but hope the two Dubliners settle it over a pint.

Another chapter

Luke who it is: With Luke Kelly in Dublin

As an aside, the most successful Irish trad band of them all, the Dubliners, emerged from a real capital city institution.

O’Donoghues, on Merrion Row, off Grafton Street, where they would play in the snug.

With Ronnie Drew, Luke Kelly et al choosing to name themselves after a James Joyce set of short stories.

Now that’s a tale of Dubliners.