alternatehistory.com
You're so vain - Part 2
You're so vain - Part 2
By 1972 Richard Nixon was a spent force to many. Having lost two elections, twice to a Kennedy. The former Vice-President had spent the last four years on private practice, involved in a series of projects in California.
His voice, however, still caried a lot of weight among many Republicans. He might not have been capable of winning another nomination, or even shown a inclination for trying, but his influence was far from fully diminished. In that context, Ronald Reagan would call him right after winnning the Florida primary on March 15th.
The Nixon-Reagan calls, as they're known today, are quite famous examples of back-door politics that remain part of the political arena to this day.
-Good night Mr. Vice-President. I'm sorry about the time.
-It's not night yet in California Mr. Governor. I heard of your victory there in Florida. I believe congratulations are due.
-Thank you Mr. Vice-President. I believe you know the reason i'm calling you sir.
-Yes Ronald i'm aware. You want my support. My help securing the nomination and getting you to the white house.
-Yes sir, Rockefeller has the support of most of the party, but if we conservatives stick together, we can take it back, from that i'm sure. My victory today proves that there's support for our stance.
-Yes, and you need me to do for you what i did for Goldwater in 64, steal the rug from Rockefeller's feet.
-Your support for Goldwater was paramount for his nomination sir, that's quite clear to everyone. This time we can beat Kennedy and secure the White House for the Party.
- No.
- Sir?
- Four years ago i asked for your support in the primaries. I offered you the chance to be Vice-President, Ronald and you said no.
-Mr. Vice-President i was
-You were proud and ambitious and you led to that stalemate between me and Rockefeller. And now you expect me to support you counting on some grudge i might have against the man. So no Mr. Governor, i will do what's better for the unity of the Party.
-Mr. Vice-President...
Exerpt from the Nixon Recordings - March 15th, 1972
................
The Republican primaries were, in many ways, very similar to the Democratic counterparts. There was a clear front-runner, followed by a contender whom represented a older, more traditional branch of the Party. In this case, Nelson Rockefeller and Ronald Reagan. And much like the democratic primaries, the contender showed little true traction.
Rockefeller would win New Hampshire easily enough. Florida would fall on a landslide to Reagan. But that would prove his only victory. Illinois, Winsconsin, Massachussetts and Pennsylvania would all go to Rockefeller. By late April, with his expected support not materializing, Ronald Reagan ended his campaign.
Many theorize that the reason Reagan decided to end his campaign early was a desire to run again in 1976. The man had arleady been defeated in the 1968 convention, and losing another one might mean wasting his political capital. Better to wait for the right opportunity. It was not until decades later that the Nixon Recordings came to light. The refusal of Richard Nixon to suport Reagan meant that the candidate would have little chance uniting the Party under his views. The GOP would be moving for a more moderate stance after all.
The 1972 Republican National Convention, just like it's Democratic counterpart, would be won before it even took place. Governor of New York, Nelson A. Rockefeller would take the nomination on the first Ballot. For his Vice-President he would choose Michigan Governor George Romney, his choice four years earlier.
His acceptance speech would be, much like his Democratic opponent, fairly unremarkable. There was no place or need for a great rousing speech, however. Rockefeller was not a ideological opponent to Kennedy, like Reagan or Nixon. And the man was popular among many, both in his state as well as around the Country. He could only hope it would be enough to beat Kennedy in the following months.
As the election approached, both candidates would dedicate much of their time to the campaign trail. On one side there was Kennedy, seeking to preserve his seat for another four years, and on the other, Rockefeller hoping that his Party's new stance would deliver it the White house after 12 years of Democratic control.
Time only would tell.
New York Governor Nelson A. Rockefeller, 1972
History of the Republican Party, from Lincoln to Cheney, Michael A. Cormack
...................
By 1972 Richard Nixon was a spent force to many. Having lost two elections, twice to a Kennedy. The former Vice-President had spent the last four years on private practice, involved in a series of projects in California.
His voice, however, still caried a lot of weight among many Republicans. He might not have been capable of winning another nomination, or even shown a inclination for trying, but his influence was far from fully diminished. In that context, Ronald Reagan would call him right after winnning the Florida primary on March 15th.
The Nixon-Reagan calls, as they're known today, are quite famous examples of back-door politics that remain part of the political arena to this day.
-Good night Mr. Vice-President. I'm sorry about the time.
-It's not night yet in California Mr. Governor. I heard of your victory there in Florida. I believe congratulations are due.
-Thank you Mr. Vice-President. I believe you know the reason i'm calling you sir.
-Yes Ronald i'm aware. You want my support. My help securing the nomination and getting you to the white house.
-Yes sir, Rockefeller has the support of most of the party, but if we conservatives stick together, we can take it back, from that i'm sure. My victory today proves that there's support for our stance.
-Yes, and you need me to do for you what i did for Goldwater in 64, steal the rug from Rockefeller's feet.
-Your support for Goldwater was paramount for his nomination sir, that's quite clear to everyone. This time we can beat Kennedy and secure the White House for the Party.
- No.
- Sir?
- Four years ago i asked for your support in the primaries. I offered you the chance to be Vice-President, Ronald and you said no.
-Mr. Vice-President i was
-You were proud and ambitious and you led to that stalemate between me and Rockefeller. And now you expect me to support you counting on some grudge i might have against the man. So no Mr. Governor, i will do what's better for the unity of the Party.
-Mr. Vice-President...
Exerpt from the Nixon Recordings - March 15th, 1972
................
The Republican primaries were, in many ways, very similar to the Democratic counterparts. There was a clear front-runner, followed by a contender whom represented a older, more traditional branch of the Party. In this case, Nelson Rockefeller and Ronald Reagan. And much like the democratic primaries, the contender showed little true traction.
Rockefeller would win New Hampshire easily enough. Florida would fall on a landslide to Reagan. But that would prove his only victory. Illinois, Winsconsin, Massachussetts and Pennsylvania would all go to Rockefeller. By late April, with his expected support not materializing, Ronald Reagan ended his campaign.
Many theorize that the reason Reagan decided to end his campaign early was a desire to run again in 1976. The man had arleady been defeated in the 1968 convention, and losing another one might mean wasting his political capital. Better to wait for the right opportunity. It was not until decades later that the Nixon Recordings came to light. The refusal of Richard Nixon to suport Reagan meant that the candidate would have little chance uniting the Party under his views. The GOP would be moving for a more moderate stance after all.
The 1972 Republican National Convention, just like it's Democratic counterpart, would be won before it even took place. Governor of New York, Nelson A. Rockefeller would take the nomination on the first Ballot. For his Vice-President he would choose Michigan Governor George Romney, his choice four years earlier.
His acceptance speech would be, much like his Democratic opponent, fairly unremarkable. There was no place or need for a great rousing speech, however. Rockefeller was not a ideological opponent to Kennedy, like Reagan or Nixon. And the man was popular among many, both in his state as well as around the Country. He could only hope it would be enough to beat Kennedy in the following months.
As the election approached, both candidates would dedicate much of their time to the campaign trail. On one side there was Kennedy, seeking to preserve his seat for another four years, and on the other, Rockefeller hoping that his Party's new stance would deliver it the White house after 12 years of Democratic control.
Time only would tell.
New York Governor Nelson A. Rockefeller, 1972
History of the Republican Party, from Lincoln to Cheney, Michael A. Cormack
...................