What is the Watergate scandal and why could this story not have happened in 2012?

Question

I know what the watergate scandal is, it was the political scandal that led to Nixons resignation where burglars who broke into the Democratic party headquarters had ties to his administration.. but not sure about the 2nd part of the question

Answer 1

I don't know, but here are some opinions on the subject.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/12/19/AR2008121902928.html

http://www.northjersey.com/community/history/more_history_news/173434271_Carl_Bernstein_lectures_on_the_40th_anniversary_of_Watergate_at_William_Paterson_in_Wayne.html