March 3, 1989, Washington DC. and recently elected president, George Herbert Walker Bush has departed the White House for a visit to the Pentagon.  As the motorcade makes its way from Pennsylvania Avenue across the Potomac, a welcoming party assembles in front of the building with Secretary of Defense nominee, former Texas senator John Tower, joined by acting secretary of defense, William Howard Taft IV and Admiral William Crowe, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff greeting the president. But back on Capitol Hill, the Senate convened for the second day of debate on Tower’s nomination, which came under attack as stories of drunken escapades and sexual harassment were luridly put forth in the confirmation process. And when all was said and done, John Tower would be the first time that the Senate had rejected a Cabinet nominee of a newly elected president, and in many ways, the precursor for many confirmation fights to follow.
For More Information:
Articles:
Sen. Hollings (D-SC) Newsletter on Tower Nomination
Videos:
Hear Paul Weyrich Discuss His Senate Testimony
Tower Press Conference after Nomination Rejected
Day 3 of Nomination Hearings – Paul Weyrich Testimony
Other:
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