Public opinion was turning against Nixon as the evidence of Watergate involvement mounted. Zillions of Americans were glued to their TVs during the first couple weeks of the televised Senate Watergate hearing. When special prosecutor Leon Jaworski and his assistant walked into the Supreme Court building, hundreds of cheering spectators crowded the steps. (Source)

Most people thought that President Nixon had something to hide and hoped that the decision of would get to the bottom of it. Nixon's resignation 18 days after the decision of U.S. v. Nixon would shock the nation, but it confirmed the public's suspicion of his involvement.

Today, U.S. v. Nixon is seen as a landmark Supreme Court case when it comes to establishing the limits of presidential power. Executive privilege was invoked a few times by President Clinton during Clinton v. Jones and later during the Monica Lewinski investigation.

Some view U.S. v. Nixon as a check on presidential power, assuring that the president's executive privilege won't shield him from the law. Others fault U.S. v. Nixon for expanding presidential power, since the Supreme Court legitimized a power the president was never really explicitly given in the Constitution to begin with.

Most importantly, the case is seen as an affirmation of our checks and balances system, making sure that, while proper privileges are accorded the presidency in its day-to-day actions, the president is not above the law.

No Louis XIV for this country.