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  Nixon, Richard M.
CANDIDATE DETAILS
AffiliationRepublican  
<-  1974-01-01  
 
NameRichard M. Nixon
Address
San Clemente, California , United States
EmailNone
WebsiteNone
Born January 09, 1913
DiedApril 22, 1994 (81 years)
Contributor411 Name Removed
Last ModifedRob Ritchie
Jan 09, 2024 05:51pm
Tags Caucasian - English - Married - Disbarred - NRA - Christian - Society of Friends - Straight -
InfoGrand Marshal of the Tournament of Roses Parade 1953 and 1960.

37th President of the United States (1969?74)
b. Yorba Linda, Calif.
Quaker

Political Career to 1968

A graduate of Whittier College and Duke Univ. law school, he practiced law in Whittier, Calif., from 1937 to 1942, was briefly with the Office of Emergency Management, and served during World War II with the navy in the South Pacific. In 1946 he was elected to Congress as a Republican. In the House of Representatives he became nationally known for his work on the House Committee on Un-American Activities, where he was credited with forcing the famous confrontation between Alger Hiss and Whittaker Chambers, thus precipitating the perjury case against Hiss. In 1950 he was elected to the U.S. Senate after a particularly bitter electoral campaign. In the Senate, Nixon denounced President Truman's policy in Asia, supported Gen. Douglas MacArthur's proposal to expand the Korean War, and attacked the Democratic administration as favorable to socialism.

He was elected to the vice presidency on the Republican ticket with Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1952. He made frequent official trips abroad, notably in 1958 to South America, where he faced a hostile demonstration in Venezuela, and in 1959 to the USSR, where he engaged in a much-publicized informal debate with Premier Nikita Khrushchev. Nixon received the Republican presidential nomination in 1960 with only a minimum of opposition and campaigned in support of the Eisenhower administration policies. He was defeated but gained almost as much of the popular vote as the successful John F. Kennedy. Nixon returned to politics in 1962, winning the Republican nomination for governor of California. After losing the election he returned to the practice of law.

First Term

In 1968 Nixon again won the Republican nomination for president; Spiro T. Agnew was his running mate. In a low-key campaign, Nixon promised to bring peace with honor in Vietnam and to unite a nation deeply divided by the Vietnam War and the racial crisis. He defeated his two opponents, Hubert H. Humphrey and George C. Wallace, but won only a plurality of the popular vote.

As President, Nixon began the phased withdrawal of U.S. troops from South Vietnam. He achieved (1973) a cease-fire accord with North Vietnam, but only after he had ordered invasions of Cambodia (1970) and Laos (1971) and the saturation bombing of North Vietnam. In other areas of foreign policy, Nixon eased cold war tensions. He initiated strategic arms limitation talks with the Soviet Union in 1969 and visited (1972) the People's Republic of China.

At home, Nixon reversed many of the social and economic welfare policies of President Lyndon B. Johnson. He vetoed much new health, education, and welfare legislation and impounded congressionally approved funds for domestic programs that he opposed. Nixon's Southern strategy, through which he hoped to woo the South into the Republican party, led him to weaken the federal government's commitment to racial equality and to sponsor antibusing legislation in Congress. Nixon's first term in office was also beset by economic troubles. A severe recession and serious inflation brought about the imposition (1971) of a wide-reaching system of wage and price controls.

Despite these problems, Nixon and Agnew easily won reelection in 1972. Widespread popular distrust of his Democratic opponent, Senator George S. McGovern, brought Nixon a landslide victory. (Agnew was forced to resign in 1973, however, on charges of corruption that dated to when he was Baltimore co. executive, and Gerald R. Ford was nominated by Nixon and confirmed by Congress to succeed Agnew.)

Second Term: The Watergate Affair

Soon after his reelection Nixon's popularity plummeted as the growing revelations of the Watergate affair indicated pervasive corruption in his administration, and there was widespread criticism of the amount of government money spent on his private residences. Further problems ensued when the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) found that Nixon's donation of papers to the federal government, which had been taken as a deduction on his federal income tax returns, had been made after a law went into effect disallowing such deductions. The IRS assessed (1974) Nixon for the back taxes plus interest.

Many public officials and private citizens questioned Nixon's fitness to remain in office, and in 1974 the House of Representatives initiated impeachment proceedings. The House Committee on the Judiciary, which conducted the impeachment inquiry, subpoenaed Nixon's tape-recorded conversations relating to the Watergate affair and finally received (Apr. 30) transcripts of most, but not all, of the tapes. Nixon also released transcripts of these conversations to the public, continuing to profess noninvolvement in the Watergate coverup despite growing evidence to the contrary. Meanwhile, Watergate special prosecutor Leon Jaworski subpoenaed tapes that had been previously requested but that were not among those included in the transcripts. Nixon refused to relinquish these, basing his refusal on claims of "executive privilege," i.e., the confidentiality of executive communications whose release might endanger national security. On July 24, 1974, the Supreme Court ruled that President Nixon must surrender these tapes to Jaworski.

The House Judiciary Committee had already completed its investigations and subsequently recommended (July 27?30) three articles of impeachment against the President. These charged him with obstruction of justice in the investigation of the break-in at the Democratic national headquarters in the Watergate apartment complex; abuse of power through misuse of the Internal Revenue Service for political purposes, illegal wiretapping, establishment of a private investigative unit that engaged in unlawful activities, and interference with the lawful activities of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Central Intelligence Agency, the Dept. of Justice, and other government bodies; and failure to comply with subpoenas issued by the House Judiciary Committee.

On Aug. 5, Nixon made public the transcripts of three conversations covered by the Supreme Court ruling, and the tapes indicated that he had, six days after the Watergate break-in, ordered the FBI to halt its investigation of the burglary. Nixon's revelation provoked widespread calls for his resignation; finally, responding to pressure from his closest advisers, he resigned on Aug. 9, the first U.S. President ever to do so. He left the White House immediately and returned to his estate in San Clemente, Calif. His successor, Gerald Ford, granted him a full pardon for any illegal acts that he might have committed while President, thus quashing the possibility of criminal proceedings against the former President. Subsequently, four of his close associates, including John Mitchell, H. R. Haldeman, and John Ehrlichman, were convicted (Jan. 1, 1975) on charges arising from the affair. In retirement Nixon continued to comment, often influentially, on foreign affairs, writing several books on the topic, as well as his memoirs.



JOB APPROVAL POLLS
DateFirmApproveDisapproveDon't Know
06/13/2007-06/24/2007 Rasmussen Reports 32.00% ( 0.0) 60.00% ( 0.0) 7.00% ( 0.0)
03/18/2002-03/20/2002 Gallup 34.00% ( 1.0) 54.00% ( 5.0) 12.00% ( 6.0)
06/04/1992-06/08/1992 Gallup 35.00% ( 11.0) 59.00% ( 7.0) 6.00% ( 4.0)
08/02/1974-08/05/1974 Gallup 24.00% ( 0.0) 66.00% ( 0.0) 10.00% ( 0.0)
FAVORABILITY POLLS
DateFirmFavorableUnfavorableDon't Know
09/08/2011-09/11/2011 Public Policy Polling 19.00% ( 0.0) 62.00% ( 0.0) 18.00% ( 0.0)

BOOKS
Title Purchase Contributor
Rn: The Memoirs of Richard Nixon  Purchase RP 
President Nixon: Alone in the White House  Purchase RP 

EVENTS
Start Date End Date Type Title Contributor

NEWS
Date Category Headline Article Contributor
Dec 27, 2011 11:30am General Richard Nixon Had Gay Affair, 'Nixon's Darkest Secrets' Claims  Article DFWDem 
Jun 29, 2009 11:30am Opinion Hitchens: What the Nixon tapes tell us about the Republican Party  Article Craverguy 
Jun 05, 2009 10:00am Obituary Watergate burglar Bernard Leon Barker dies in Miami at age 92  Article Thomas Walker 
Jan 03, 2007 11:00pm News Nixon vowed to 'ruin Foreign Service'  Article The Sunset Provision 
May 17, 2006 01:00pm Obituary L. Carrol, 83, Is Dead; Gave Nixons Dog Known as Checkers  Article Thomas Walker 
Mar 31, 2006 09:10pm News John Dean appears at hearing on whether Bush should be censured  Article Eric 

DISCUSSION
Importance? 10.00000 Average

FAMILY
Wife Thelma Catherine Ryan "Pat" Nixon 00, 1940-Jun 22, 1993
Daughter Patricia "Tricia" Nixon Cox 1946-
Grandson Christopher Cox 1979-
Daughter Julie Nixon Eisenhower 1948-
Mother Hannah Milhous Nixon 1885-1967
Brother Donald Nixon 1914-1987
Niece Lawrene Nixon Anfinson 0000-

INFORMATION LINKS
Checkers Speech - Richard M. Nixon  Discuss
Nixon's Undelivered Moon Disaster Speech (1969)  Discuss
President Richard Nixon Inaugural Address January 20, 1969  Discuss
President Richard Nixon Inaugural Address January 20, 1973  Discuss
Resignation Speech - Richard M. Nixon  Discuss
Richard M. Nixon Presidential Nomination Acceptance Speech 1960  Discuss
Richard M. Nixon Presidential Nomination Acceptance Speech 1968  Discuss
Richard M. Nixon Presidential Nomination Acceptance Speech 1972  Discuss
Richard Nixon - Address to the Nation About the Watergate Investigations (April 30, 1973)  Discuss
Richard Nixon - Address to the Nation About the Watergate Investigations (August 15, 1973)  Discuss
Richard Nixon - Address to the Nation Announcing an Agreement on Ending the War in Vietnam (January 23, 1973)  Discuss
Richard Nixon - Address to the Nation on Plan for Peace in Vietnam (January 25, 1972)  Discuss
Richard Nixon - Address to the Nation on Presidential Tape Recordings (April 29, 1974)  Discuss
Richard Nixon - Address to the Nation on the Situation in Southeast Asia (April 30, 1970)  Discuss
Richard Nixon - Address to the Nation on the Situation in Southeast Asia (April 7, 1971)  Discuss
Richard Nixon - Address to the Nation on the Situation in Southeast Asia (May 8, 1972)  Discuss
Richard Nixon - Radio Address About Second Annual Foreign Policy Report to the Congress (February 25, 1971)  Discuss
Richard Nixon - Remarks Announcing an Agreement on Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (May 20, 1971)  Discuss
Richard Nixon - Remarks on Being Reelected to the Presidency (November 7, 1972)  Discuss
Richard Nixon - Remarks on Departure From the White House (August 9, 1974)  Discuss
Richard Nixon - Remarks on Election Eve (November 6, 1972)  Discuss
Richard Nixon - State of the Union Address (1973)  Discuss
Richard Nixon - State of the Union Address (January 20, 1972)  Discuss
Richard Nixon - State of the Union Address (January 22, 1970)  Discuss
Richard Nixon - State of the Union Address (January 22, 1971)  Discuss
Richard Nixon - State of the Union Address (January 30, 1974)  Discuss
Richard Nixon - The President's News Conference (February 25, 1974)  Discuss
The Great Silent Majority - Richard M. Nixon  Discuss
RACES
  12/18/1972 US President Won 96.65% (+93.49%)
  11/07/1972 US President National Vote Won 60.69% (+23.16%)
  08/30/1972 NY US President - C Convention Won 69.96% (+52.91%)
  08/23/1972 US President - R Convention Won 99.93% (+99.85%)
  06/06/1972 US President - R Primaries Won 86.79% (+81.68%)
  06/06/1972 US President - D Primaries Lost 0.01% (-25.76%)
  12/16/1968 US President Won 55.95% (+20.45%)
  11/05/1968 US President National Vote Won 43.42% (+0.70%)
  09/08/1968 NY US President - C Convention Won 65.25% (+41.13%)
  08/08/1968 US President - R Convention Won 65.89% (+51.14%)
  06/11/1968 US President - R Primaries Lost 37.54% (-0.38%)
  06/11/1968 US President - D Primaries Lost 0.18% (-38.55%)
  05/14/1968 NE US President - Amer Primary Lost 0.20% (-97.62%)
  03/12/1968 NH US Vice President - D Primary Lost 1.17% (-55.08%)
  07/01/1964 US President - R Primaries Lost 3.33% (-34.95%)
  03/10/1964 NH US Vice President - R Primary Won 26.81% (+0.40%)
  11/06/1962 CA Governor Lost 46.82% (-5.07%)
  06/05/1962 CA Governor - R Primary Won 65.43% (+32.00%)
  06/05/1962 CA Governor - D Primary Lost 1.68% (-79.74%)
  12/19/1960 US President Lost 40.78% (-15.64%)
  11/08/1960 US President National Vote Lost 49.55% (-0.17%)
  07/28/1960 US President - R Convention Won 99.25% (+98.50%)
  07/01/1960 US President - R Primaries Won 86.63% (+81.16%)
  07/01/1960 US President - D Primaries Lost 0.29% (-31.12%)
  03/08/1960 NH US Vice President - R Primary Lost 1.20% (-41.00%)
  11/06/1956 US Vice President Won 86.06% (+72.32%)
  08/23/1956 US Vice President - R Convention Won 100.00% (+100.00%)
  07/01/1956 US President - R Primaries Lost 0.01% (-85.92%)
  03/13/1956 NH US Vice President - R Primary Won 77.10% (+67.35%)
  11/04/1952 US Vice President Won 83.24% (+66.48%)
  07/11/1952 US Vice President - R Convention Won 100.00% (+100.00%)
  12/01/1950 CA US Senate Appointment Won 100.00% (+100.00%)
  11/07/1950 CA US Senate Won 59.23% (+18.47%)
  06/06/1950 CA US Senate - D Primary Lost 20.38% (-26.59%)
  06/06/1950 CA US Senate - R Primary Won 64.59% (+50.90%)
  11/02/1948 CA District 12 Won 87.82% (+75.63%)
  06/01/1948 CA District 12 - D Primary Won 52.24% (+11.23%)
  11/05/1946 CA District 12 Won 56.03% (+13.32%)
  06/04/1946 CA District 12 - D Primary Lost 16.21% (-63.75%)
  06/04/1946 CA District 12 - R Primary Won 64.11% (+32.25%)
ENDORSEMENTS
NY US Senate - Nov 03, 1970 R James L. Buckley
AL Governor - D Primary - May 05, 1970 D Albert P. Brewer
New York City Mayor - Nov 04, 1969 R John J. Marchi
Minneapolis Mayor - Jun 10, 1969 R Dan Cohen
CA Assembly Speaker - Jan 03, 1955 R H. Allen Smith
CA State Senate 38 - R Primary - Jun 08, 1954 R Mildred Younger
CA District 22 - R Primary - Jun 03, 1952 R Joseph F. Holt