Nixon was no more a true Conservative than Bush is.

Nixon was a political opportunist who would use any means to achieve the end he wanted, including the destruction of the Constitution. Felt was (and is) a great American.

And the Nixon Whitehouse actually had a pretty good idea who "Deep Throat" was. However, if they said anything they were afraid he'd really spill the beans. From a quote from NBC News, playing a tape of Nixon talking to his staff about Felt:

Nixon: "Is he Catholic?"

"No, Jewish."

N: "God, they got a Jew in there?"