Ex-Sen. Robert Griffin, staunch Michigan Republican who hastened Nixon resignation, dies at 91

DETROIT – Former U.S. Sen. Robert Griffin, a Michigan Republican whose withdrawal of support hastened President Richard Nixon’s resignation during the Watergate scandal, has died at age 91.

Griffin was defeated in 1978 but landed a new career in 1987 as a Michigan Supreme Court justice — a job he described as his “highest calling” as a public servant. He died Thursday, according to a family statement released Friday.

Griffin was appointed to the Senate in 1966, following the death of Patrick McNamara, and went on to serve 12 years in the chamber. He was a staunch Republican who initially backed Nixon during the Watergate scandal before joining other influential senators in calling for the president’s resignation in August 1974.

“It’s not just his enemies who feel that way,” Griffin said at the time. “Many of his best friends — and I regard myself as one of those — believe now that this would be the most appropriate course.”

Griffin’s family said President Gerald Ford, another Michigan Republican, had pledged to nominate him to the U.S. Supreme Court but backed off in fear that senators would see it as an act of cronyism.

Griffin helped orchestrate a four-day filibuster in 1968 that squelched President Lyndon Johnson’s nomination of Abe Fortas, a Supreme Court justice, for chief justice. Critics raised ethical questions about Fortas and described him as too liberal.

U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-Mich., said Griffin was her first boss.

“He taught me the importance of integrity in the political process, keeping your word and working with members on both sides of the aisle,” she said.

Griffin was born Nov. 6, 1923, in Detroit and served in the U.S. Army from 1943 to 1946. The next year, he received an undergraduate degree from Central Michigan University, which in an effort to spur renewed interest in government later established the Robert and Marjorie Griffin Endowed Chair in American Government.

“Michigan has lost a tremendous statesman,” said U.S. Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich.

Griffin earned a law degree at the University of Michigan in 1950, and practiced law in Traverse City until 1956, when he was elected to the U.S. House.

He served eight years on the Michigan Supreme Court through 1994.

“I have enjoyed the honour of earlier government service in other capacities,” Griffin said. “However, I can say without hesitation that I have never worked harder, nor have I met a higher calling, than as a member of this court.”

The Grand Traverse County courthouse in Traverse City was named for Griffin in 2006. A public visitation will be held at the courthouse Monday at 5 p.m., followed by a funeral Tuesday at First Congregational Church.

Survivors include Griffin’s wife of 67 years, Marjorie. A son, Richard Griffin, is a judge on the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Cincinnati.

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