alternatehistory.com

April 19, 1967

Nixon calls for “moratorium” on Vietnam criticism

Former Vice President Richard Nixon, on a trip to South Vietnam to meet with Prime Minister Nguyen Cao Ky, believes that the war in Vietnam on America’s credibility with its allies and depends on American unity. Nixon said that anti-war protests back in the United States are "prolonging the war,” and called for a moratorium of policy criticism that “give aid and comfort to the enemy.” Nixon said that despite the claims of the press and anti-war activists, the situation in Vietnam was improving. “The situation in South Vietnam improved substantially during the last 7 months and greatly over the last 2 years...It can be said now that the defeat of the Communist forces in South Vietnam is inevitable. The only question is, how soon?” [1][2]

No doubt such words were meant for his anticipated 1968 primary opponent, Michigan governor George Romney, who recently called for “de-escalation” of U.S. involvement in Vietnam. Despite Nixon’s jab, Romney seems to have gained the support of New York governor Nelson Rockefeller, a prominent moderate Republican. He is understood to have assured Romney’s chief supporters that he is solidly behind the Michigan governor’s quest for the Republican nomination. Rockefeller reportedly told his admirers in the East and elsewhere that they should get aboard the Romney bandwagon. [3]