Why did the Nixon administration try to stop publication of the pentagons papers?

The administration argued Ellsberg and Russo were guilty of a felony under the Espionage Act of 1917, because they had no authority to publish classified documents.

ummm? is that supposed to be a question or a but this is a reason he won re-election

explanation:

"despite progress in the war, lincoln and most political pundits were convinced that he would lose his bid for reelection in 1864. the country was war weary and the democratic party's nominee, george mcclellan, was likely to negotiate a peace treaty with the confederacy if elected." - loc.gov

the answer is a. apartheid.