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Chapter 3: He’s Back
Chapter 3: He’s Back
Whilst the democratic nomination was now a stoic somber affair. The Republican one was the exact opposite. Richard Nixon, former Vice President and party nominee in 1960, was making his return, Nixon had built up his stock over the years. He was ready to build up a comeback. Gone was the old Nixon. The new Nixon was now ready for the presidency. He united conservatives and liberals within the party. He also faced little opposition within the process. His strongest competitor was Nelson Rockefeller. Rockefeller was making a final go at the nomination. He had support of the northeast but overall couldn’t carry enough to stop Nixon. Also running was new California Governor Ronald Reagan, who although conservative and a talented campaigner couldn’t clinch too many people with Goldwater in ‘64 still fresh. Also there was George Romney. He was strong early on but made a verbal gaffe. Which stopped him. But Nixon liked what he saw. He decided the governor of Michigan would be the running mate to balance his ticket.
Romney was selected as running mate by Nixon despite a verbal gaffe.
Nixon himself was a man motivated not necessarily by wanting to improve the country but one motivated by revenge. Kennedy had won in 1960 thanks to some corruption in Illinois and Texas. Nixon once told a guest at a party that he knew Kennedy robbed the election. But Nixon knew deep down, it was his fault. The economy had been in a recession and Eisenhower, his own boss, provided tacit support at best and nothing more. Nixon was enraged about the loss. Nixon was willing to go to any lengths to win. He had prepared since 1964 to unify the party. In 1966 he campaigned for house and senate candidates and won, 1968 was supposed to be his coronation. His campaign was well organized. Well planned. Nixon thought with Johnson out, he’d face Kennedy and was ready to defeat a Kennedy to cap off his great revenge plot. Nixon would not lose this time.
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Nixon campaigns in Philadelphia in June.
“That little jackass? He’s a loser. And he’s the best they can offer? And my party can’t even find a guy palatable enough to beat him?” - LBJ upon hearing of Nixon receiving enough support.
“My brother beat him with no name recognition. Imagine my margin of victory.” - Robert Kennedy to an aide.
“Nixon will be nominated at the upcoming convention. Romney will be his running mate. Nixon is going to unseat the democrats in fall. Nixon will win. All of these headlines seemed to be good guesses on the election but of course, we all know that it ended unlike that.” - Nixon’s the one, Published 1987
Whilst the democratic nomination was now a stoic somber affair. The Republican one was the exact opposite. Richard Nixon, former Vice President and party nominee in 1960, was making his return, Nixon had built up his stock over the years. He was ready to build up a comeback. Gone was the old Nixon. The new Nixon was now ready for the presidency. He united conservatives and liberals within the party. He also faced little opposition within the process. His strongest competitor was Nelson Rockefeller. Rockefeller was making a final go at the nomination. He had support of the northeast but overall couldn’t carry enough to stop Nixon. Also running was new California Governor Ronald Reagan, who although conservative and a talented campaigner couldn’t clinch too many people with Goldwater in ‘64 still fresh. Also there was George Romney. He was strong early on but made a verbal gaffe. Which stopped him. But Nixon liked what he saw. He decided the governor of Michigan would be the running mate to balance his ticket.
Romney was selected as running mate by Nixon despite a verbal gaffe.
Nixon himself was a man motivated not necessarily by wanting to improve the country but one motivated by revenge. Kennedy had won in 1960 thanks to some corruption in Illinois and Texas. Nixon once told a guest at a party that he knew Kennedy robbed the election. But Nixon knew deep down, it was his fault. The economy had been in a recession and Eisenhower, his own boss, provided tacit support at best and nothing more. Nixon was enraged about the loss. Nixon was willing to go to any lengths to win. He had prepared since 1964 to unify the party. In 1966 he campaigned for house and senate candidates and won, 1968 was supposed to be his coronation. His campaign was well organized. Well planned. Nixon thought with Johnson out, he’d face Kennedy and was ready to defeat a Kennedy to cap off his great revenge plot. Nixon would not lose this time.
Nixon campaigns in Philadelphia in June.
“That little jackass? He’s a loser. And he’s the best they can offer? And my party can’t even find a guy palatable enough to beat him?” - LBJ upon hearing of Nixon receiving enough support.
“My brother beat him with no name recognition. Imagine my margin of victory.” - Robert Kennedy to an aide.
“Nixon will be nominated at the upcoming convention. Romney will be his running mate. Nixon is going to unseat the democrats in fall. Nixon will win. All of these headlines seemed to be good guesses on the election but of course, we all know that it ended unlike that.” - Nixon’s the one, Published 1987
- 20thCenturyBoy
- Word Count: 460