Source: John A. Farrell. Richard Nixon - The Life (2017)
Nixon detailed his past, making it beyond clear that he worked his way up instead of being born well-off. By the time he reached his service in the US Navy during WW II, his allotted 30 minutes were half gone. Nixon, after the “cloth coat” phrase, used the Checkers puppy line for all it was worth. Nixon used that corny manipulative line to tell the viewers that he was one of them, and “THEY” are messing with US. The Checkers phrase was the end of the second segment of Nixon’s speech.
Then Nixon stated that it was fine that Stevenson, who inherited a fortune from his father, could run for President. Nixon added that a man from modest means should also be able to run for high office, and that’s where Nixon mentioned Lincoln and used a quote from the 16th President. In the last ten or so minutes, Nixon went on the attack against his tormentors, accusing Truman, Stevenson, and the Democrats of coddling Communists in the federal government and allowing massive corruption to flourish. Nixon also went after the media, arguing that after the Hiss Case, the media had gone after him very hard and unfairly.
Then Nixon stated that it was fine that Stevenson, who inherited a fortune from his father, could run for President. Nixon added that a man from modest means should also be able to run for high office, and that’s where Nixon mentioned Lincoln and used a quote from the 16th President. In the last ten or so minutes, Nixon went on the attack against his tormentors, accusing Truman, Stevenson, and the Democrats of coddling Communists in the federal government and allowing massive corruption to flourish. Nixon also went after the media, arguing that after the Hiss Case, the media had gone after him very hard and unfairly.
Nixon challenged the two Democratic candidates to fully disclose their finances, and if they didn’t, then there must be something to hide. Nixon didn’t mention Ike, but by the end of the campaign, Ike felt obligated to disclose his finances; an intensely private man, Ike never forgave Nixon. Nixon then got up from behind the desk and moved, like a political gladiator in the ring, and spoke about the Korean War, and how Ike was the one to end the war via tough negotiations. With a minute to go, Nixon stated that he refused to step down as VP since he wasn’t a quitter, but he would abide by what the RNC told him based on the viewer responses.
Nixon not only refused to resign as VP, but he had in effect taken the power away from Ike and given it to the public and the Republican Party. Nixon fit in a phrase that Ike was a great man, and the picture faded as Nixon was still speaking. Nixon soon learned that he did indeed nail his performance based on the reactions and feedback of those involved in televising his speech. Nixon left the studio through an adoring crowd in order to return to the Ambassador Hotel, where he received congratulatory phone calls and telegrams from people across the nation.
Nixon not only refused to resign as VP, but he had in effect taken the power away from Ike and given it to the public and the Republican Party. Nixon fit in a phrase that Ike was a great man, and the picture faded as Nixon was still speaking. Nixon soon learned that he did indeed nail his performance based on the reactions and feedback of those involved in televising his speech. Nixon left the studio through an adoring crowd in order to return to the Ambassador Hotel, where he received congratulatory phone calls and telegrams from people across the nation.
In 30 minutes on television, Nixon had changed his image from that of a liability to an indispensable asset to Ike in the eyes of millions of Americans, while the elites and intellectuals dismissed Nixon’s speech as sentimental dreck. Nixon had looked young, honest, and earnest to millions, and his summary of his accomplishments resonated with Americans that had worked their way to a better life. To that point in time, Nixon’s speech had the largest audience to watch a TV program.
To Ike, Nixon reminded him of Patton, courageous but insubordinate. That being said, Ike sent a telegram congratulating Nixon, who wouldn’t read it right away since it got lost amid the rush of telegrams. Nixon wasn’t happy that he didn’t immediately hear from Ike, and Ike wasn’t happy that Nixon had used the RNC as his clearinghouse for viewer feedback. In an effort to take back at least some control, Ike told the media that keeping or getting rid of Nixon was not his decision alone. Ike let Nixon (and the media) know that the campaign would resume after they had met and Nixon had given his report . . . and then Ike would make the decision whether or not Nixon remained as VP. For Nixon, the agony of not knowing his political fate continued. After using television in a way that would change politics forever, Nixon started to wallow in self-pity (e.g. “what more can he possibly want from me?”).
To Ike, Nixon reminded him of Patton, courageous but insubordinate. That being said, Ike sent a telegram congratulating Nixon, who wouldn’t read it right away since it got lost amid the rush of telegrams. Nixon wasn’t happy that he didn’t immediately hear from Ike, and Ike wasn’t happy that Nixon had used the RNC as his clearinghouse for viewer feedback. In an effort to take back at least some control, Ike told the media that keeping or getting rid of Nixon was not his decision alone. Ike let Nixon (and the media) know that the campaign would resume after they had met and Nixon had given his report . . . and then Ike would make the decision whether or not Nixon remained as VP. For Nixon, the agony of not knowing his political fate continued. After using television in a way that would change politics forever, Nixon started to wallow in self-pity (e.g. “what more can he possibly want from me?”).
Nixon dared to think about ignoring Ike’s summons, and Nixon decided to at least make Ike sweat and guess a little by traveling to Missoula (MT). Nixon was told by Chotiner, who had communicated with Ike’s Circle of Trust, that Nixon was still VP, but Ike still wanted to meet face-to-face. Nixon finally realized that the general would soon become President, and it would not be wise to alienate himself even before he took the oath of office as VP. So Nixon flew to Wheeling (WVA) and met with Ike. Ike called Nixon his “boy”, and in the presence of some of the media, they talked and then went to face a crowd of supporters outside.
Later that night, Ike was told that the RNC had voted 107 - 0 to keep Nixon on as VP. At a political rally, Senator Knowland was on the podium, and Nixon, so happy to see a familiar face, even if it was a Republican that was for all practical purposes an enemy, cried on Knowland’s shoulder (a photographer captured that moment). Ike told his brother than Nixon came through with flying colors with what was already being called the “Checkers Speech”. Nixon did more than save his political career, he changed politics by using television to communicate directly to millions of Americans, bypassing the power brokers and apparatus of his political party.
Later that night, Ike was told that the RNC had voted 107 - 0 to keep Nixon on as VP. At a political rally, Senator Knowland was on the podium, and Nixon, so happy to see a familiar face, even if it was a Republican that was for all practical purposes an enemy, cried on Knowland’s shoulder (a photographer captured that moment). Ike told his brother than Nixon came through with flying colors with what was already being called the “Checkers Speech”. Nixon did more than save his political career, he changed politics by using television to communicate directly to millions of Americans, bypassing the power brokers and apparatus of his political party.
A previous seachange in the political landscape occurred in the 1890s with the Populists, who were soon enough absorbed by the Democrats. Before the Populists, all the Republicans had to do was to drop Lincoln’s name, or run candidates such as Ulysses S. Grant or Theodore Roosevelt while only paying lip service for those that were at a disadvantage (e.g. immigrant factory laborers). The Populists/Democrats changed who spoke for the Little Guy, and through the Great Depression, World War II, and the beginning of the Cold War, the Democrats remained the party that spoke for the Common Man.
However, amid the post-WW II economic expansion, the New Deal Coalition broke apart, and it was Nixon in 1952 that became the champion for the Little Guy, and the Democrats looked like Elitists in comparion by nominating Adlai Stevenson. While the liberal elites sneered and ridiculed Nixon, his “Checkers Speech” hastened the unraveling of the New Deal Coalition. Nixon came the closest to humanizing the Republican Party than any other national level candidate had done in decades.
However, amid the post-WW II economic expansion, the New Deal Coalition broke apart, and it was Nixon in 1952 that became the champion for the Little Guy, and the Democrats looked like Elitists in comparion by nominating Adlai Stevenson. While the liberal elites sneered and ridiculed Nixon, his “Checkers Speech” hastened the unraveling of the New Deal Coalition. Nixon came the closest to humanizing the Republican Party than any other national level candidate had done in decades.
However, in 1952 it wasn’t the Left Wing Liberal Populists that organized, but instead it was the Right Wing Conservative Populists that did so. That meant that the real political battle was between the Elites and the Intellectuals versus the Common Person, and Nixon was too gifted a politician to miss the opportunity. Nixon shared the background of the Little Guy in terms of values, discontentment, and rancor; in so many ways, politically, the 1950s weren’t the Eisenhower Years, but rather the Nixon Years. So much of the 1950s featured the positive and negative perspectives of the US lower middle class, as well as its spirit, self-pity, and its envy of those in a higher social/economic class; it was a kind of general collective resentful whine, and Nixon perfectly encapsulated what millions of Americans felt and believed.
Nixon knew that the Republicans could win in 1952 if the GOP portrayed the Democrats as the Party of the Elites, which would then by default lead the Republicans to become the Party of the Little Guy. Ike had the common touch, but in a far gentler and benevolent fashion than Nixon. Ike also knew how to lead competing factions and work towards unity (at least in the military), and Ike also knew how to persuade, and when to turn on his charm. That being said, Ike agreed to turn Nixon loose against the Democrats in the General Campaign to be, in essence, a less aggressive/more respectable version of Senator Joseph McCarthy.
Nixon knew that the Republicans could win in 1952 if the GOP portrayed the Democrats as the Party of the Elites, which would then by default lead the Republicans to become the Party of the Little Guy. Ike had the common touch, but in a far gentler and benevolent fashion than Nixon. Ike also knew how to lead competing factions and work towards unity (at least in the military), and Ike also knew how to persuade, and when to turn on his charm. That being said, Ike agreed to turn Nixon loose against the Democrats in the General Campaign to be, in essence, a less aggressive/more respectable version of Senator Joseph McCarthy.
In mid-October 1952, Ike et al arranged for Nixon to have another 30 minutes on television, where he went after Stevenson for testifying on behalf of Alger Hiss in the late-1940s; Nixon questioned Stevenson’s judgment, not his loyalty. In late-October 1952, Nixon was in Texarkana, and “Tricky Dick” came out when he accused the Truman administration of being traitors to the high principles of their party. Truman, Speaker of the House Sam Rayburn, and other high-profile Democrats never forgave Nixon for labeling them and their party traitors. Nixon may-or-may-not have understood that when he tarred with the widest brush, he would pay a price in the future.
The results of the Election of 1952 were as follows: Popular Vote - Ike 55%, Stevenson 44% / States Won - Ike 39, Stevenson 9 (Stevenson failed to win his home state of Illinois) / Electoral Votes - Ike 442, Stevenson 89. As an added bonus, the Republicans won narrow majorities in both houses. Nixon knew that Ike won the election because he was a national hero, not because of Nixon’s actions on the President-Elect’s behalf. During 1952, Nixon’s hate of the media reached its highest level so far, and his hatred for the communications systems network through which he needed to communicate would have profound consequences in the years to come.
Addendum: Nixon & the Media After the "Checkers Speech" . . .
The results of the Election of 1952 were as follows: Popular Vote - Ike 55%, Stevenson 44% / States Won - Ike 39, Stevenson 9 (Stevenson failed to win his home state of Illinois) / Electoral Votes - Ike 442, Stevenson 89. As an added bonus, the Republicans won narrow majorities in both houses. Nixon knew that Ike won the election because he was a national hero, not because of Nixon’s actions on the President-Elect’s behalf. During 1952, Nixon’s hate of the media reached its highest level so far, and his hatred for the communications systems network through which he needed to communicate would have profound consequences in the years to come.
Addendum: Nixon & the Media After the "Checkers Speech" . . .