If you knew then....what you know now...?

That was the media question most over used in 2006.

If voters knew then that the Carter Administration would allow inflation to run rampant, energy supplies to become so vulnerable and fail miserably in trying to settle the Iranian hostage situation would the voters have elected Jimmy Carter President?

If voters knew then that Richard Nixon was an insecure individual prone to enable so much illegal activity in his name would the voters have re-elected him President?
If Deep Throat knew before the election then what he conveyed to W&B after the election.....?

If....if.....if. Reality happened.....Voters didn't and voters did. Deep Throat didn't and W&B did eventually. Move on to the solution space for today's issues and problems.

Our Representatives, Presidents, and Supreme Court Justices are not chosen to second guess each other. They are chosen to make considered decisions with the information they possess at the time to defend and protect the Constitution and Americans.
We can argue about whether chosen individuals do a good job or not in making those decisions. However, let's leave the analysis of history to historians.

By all means read history. By all means learn the lessons of history. But don't be held captive in the present from future action by a consideration of your place in history or your desire for the recognition of your peers with a Pulitzer.