Charles Wilson was a liberal Democratic Congressman who represented Deep East Texas from 1973-1997.  His tenure in the House of Representatives was scandalous, and he rightfully earned the nickname of “Good Time Charlie.” 

He was a major part of the largest covert CIA operation in history, helping defeat the Soviets during their invasion of Afghanistan.  This operation is the subject of the George Crile bestseller “Charlie Wilson’s War,” which is currently being made into a movie starring Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts.

I talked with Charlie Wilson this past Saturday about the legacy of President Gerald Ford.  Wilson served in the House of Representatives with Ford for about 2 years prior to Ford’s VP appointment.  Wilson liked Ford very much, saying he was a decent man and a lot smarter than people think.  When I asked if the pardon was the right thing do, Wilson answered:

It was the only thing to do.

At the time he did it, I was a little distressed about it, because we all felt the Nixon was the devil after what had gone on in the Watergate hearings. But, as time passed, and within a couple of months, I knew that Ford had done the only thing to do. It would have kept the country in chaos for another four years had he not pardoned Nixon, and he had the courage to do it, he did it, didn’t talk about it, and got it over with. It probably cost him a full term as president, because I don’t believe Carter would have defeated him had he not pardoned Nixon.

The full transcript of my interview with Wilson is here, although I think I will get flamed for my “liberalesque” question about Iraq.

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On a personal note:  I want to wish everyone a very Happy New Year and to thank David Benzion for allowing me to bring my rants/commentary to a much larger audience than is possible in Deep East Texas.