Compilation footage of Richard Nixon kicking off his campaign in February 1968. A work of John Donaldson Productions. From the archives of the Richard Nixon Presidential Library.
The "new" Nixon was the real Nixon. In previous campaigns Ike had used him as his hatchet man, while he acted as the 'grandfather' to the nation. This time Nixon showed the people who he was, and he was far more thoughtful, warm and funny than previously thought.
The hypothesis of The Selling of the President, the seminal book on the subject, was that Nixon was the most packaged, confected candidate in American presidential political history. Most would say he simply couldn't run as himself, the McCathyite partisan slanderer who called opponents Reds, traitors and crooks. In 1968, the man chosen to play the Nixon role was Spiros T Agnew, tax dodger, grafter and perjurer, who was Nixon's Nixon in 1968.
More likely he simply told the person - "We had our picture taken together," knowing that most people wanted their picture taken with Nixon and likely did without clearly recognizing the fellow.
I'm watching this in awe. I love seeing footage from my home state of Wisconsin. President Nixon was a big football fan. Pat and the kids are so warm and real.
I'm basically a Democrat, but I miss the presence of Richard Nixon on the national stage more and more every day. He was incisive, intelligent, and probably the best politician (in the good sense of the word) we've ever had. I suspect we'll not see his like again.
Having watched some of the videos where Nixon was interviewed in his later years, his knowledge, command and insight regarding foreign affairs was masterful. In fact, I think it was the case that subsequent presidents often consulted Nixon on international matters.
Richard was a big sports fan. Love how he always brought sports into the conversation with colleagues and commoners he met on the streets. Asking that gentlemen in the beginning how the Philidelphia Eagles will do that year. Remember when he'd go to Mets and Yankee games when he lived in NYC. Wow, a very young Pat Buchanan at 28:00 mark.
25,000 US Military died under Nixon. He violated the Logan Act in 1968 and subverted the Paris Peace negotiations. This is not theory anymore this is fact. www.commondreams.org/views/2014/08/12/george-will-confirms-nixons-vietnam-treason
2:20 That's the reverse press conference of the 62 "no Nixon to kick around anymore". This was "here's Nixon to kick around some more". And they did. With gusto.
From 16:29 to 17:07 this is the portion of the Nixon speech that was used by Anthony Hopkins in the movie "Nixon" when he was accepting the Republican Presidential Nomination in 1968.
+MICHAEL SOWELL I thought the same, and that's because Nixon said the same words in his actual Nomination speech: "When the strongest nation in the world can be tied down for four years in a war in Vietnam with no end in sight; When the richest nation in the world can't manage its own economy; When the nation with the greatest tradition of the rule of law is plagued by unprecedented lawlessness; When a nation that has been known for a century for equality of opportunity is torn by unprecedented racial violence; And when the President of the United States cannot travel abroad or to any major city at home without fear of a hostile demonstration -- then it's time for new leadership for the United States of America."
@@Yobbie72 It's like we're at a similar point like this was pulled from the presidential astrology, it can't be this much bad news for the people to believe he was lying and that Watergate was like he wanted out am I wrong he and all leave rich and pension plus security you can't hate them It's not clear what that's about or the men loyal to the cause.
Seems to me Nixon would’ve been better as a Secretary of State or VP but was not a President ala Reagan, Kennedy, etc. The qualities of a successful Prez. are not apparent.
Nixon was an introvert, and you could tell in this video he was not comfortable "pressing" the flesh and making small talk with voters. That said, he had a drive and will to be the Chief Executive of this country and after the close loss in 1960, and then his humiliating defeat in the gubernatorial race in California in 1962, he was considered politically done. The man just never gave up the desire to be president. His win in 1968 is still considered one of the great political comebacks in American history.
