Nixon destroyed himself. He was surrounded by yes men who fed Nixon's insecurities. How else do you explain the whole Watergate mission when Nixon was so far ahead in the polls and assured of re-election?
What Nixon did was mere child's play compared to the shenanigans FDR and LBJ pulled. And the media knew every bit of it, but covered for them.
I don't by that 'insecurity' story about the reason for the Watergate break-in. I don't know what it could be, but no spooks are stupid enough to mount a black bag op. for 'a political edge'.
I think that the FBI and CIA suspected the DNC of collaborating with Chinese or Russian spies in the call girl business the DNC hosted for visiting Senators, congressmen, dignataries, etc. Once the break-in went tits-up, Nixon would have been bound by national security and law not to reveal it's purpose. Leaving the press free to make up what ever other stories they like.
Nixon didn't order the breakin. John Dean did.