Depends on the process in which the person used to "bring down Nixon". I don't know who said what, to whom or how, so I can not give an opinion on that. I CAN say however, that if it was confidential and secret material, that the only legal way he would have had to do so, was to file a report with someone in authority that has the right to that information. Would that be easily done? probably not, but it's still the right way to do it, and the legal way.

With woodward, I believe you are referring to a journalist or reporter of some kind? Or do you mean a lawyer or even a priest?
reporters, journalists, etc do not have the legal right and obligation to withold their sources. A lawyer and a Priest both do, and I believe both, I know in a lawyers case it is true, they both have to disclose if someone says they are going to commit a crime in the future.

With a lawyer, yuo can admit to murder, rape, arson, whatever yuo did, and the lawyer can not do anything other than remove himself as your lawyer (if he is your hired lawyer when you tell him); this holds true for all lawyers who work even in the same office as said lawyer. However, if you go in and say I am going to go rape the little lady down he street this afternoon and then....... the lawyer is legally obligated to call the police and report you.

A priest, has the legal right to withold confessions. I am not sure if they are required to report plans of a crime or not.

I hope this answers your question

Do a little research on Watergate, then get back to us and let us know what you think. I'd like to hear an answer to InvictusV's questions, too.

The quote that you just posted answers invictus's questions, so I suggest you read it again.