 After a brief absence, Laird returned to the Nixon administration in June 1973 as counselor to the president for domestic affairs, concerning himself mainly with legislative issues.In February 1974, as the Watergate crisis in the White House deepened, Laird resigned to become senior counselor for national and international affairs for "Reader's Digest".Following Richard Nixon's resignation, Laird was reported to be the first choice of successor Gerald Ford to be nominated Vice President, a position ultimately filled by Nelson Rockefeller.