Nixon (Richard Nixon Recordings)

Richard Milhous Nixon

Richard Nixon Leaving Raised in the family business (a groceries and gasoline shop) by a “Quaker saint,” Nixon grew up in a large Mid-West Quaker family. After winning the election for student president at Whittier College, he got a taste for politics. During World War II, Nixon served as a Navy lieutenant commander in the Pacific. He was elected to Congress on an anti-communist platform and eventually became a young Senator from California in 1950. Nixon went on to be one of the youngest vice-presidents and served under Eisenhower in 1952 and 1956.

Nixon ran against Kennedy in 1960, losing by a narrow margin. This loss is often blamed on the first televised debate. Although Nixon was said to win the debate amongst radio listeners, those who saw the televised version preferred Kennedy. For the debate, Nixon’s combined intense sweating spell and refusal to wear television makeup only benefited his opponent. Nixon often blamed his loss on the lack of support from Eisenhower. During Nixon’s campaign, the press asked Eisenhower for an important decision that Nixon had made during his vice-presidency. Eisenhower replied, joking, “Give me a week and I might think of something.”

After this blow, Nixon decided to run for Governor of California in 1962. After losing this election Nixon told off the press in his “last press conference,” saying, “You won't have Dick Nixon to kick around any more.”

Kennedy shaking Nixon's hand In 1968, Nixon decided he did want to be kicked around some more. He won over the Republican primary, then the country, appealing to conservative Americans who disliked anti-war protesting hippies. He won and a year later Nixon spoke to moon-walking Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong on the first walk on the moon in the summer of 1969. Trying to improve his image amongst youngsters, Nixon appeared on the television shows, Laugh In (“Sock it to me?”) and Hee Haw.

Nixon was reelected in 1972 against George McGovern, with 60% of the popular vote. During the election both candidates promised that they would end the Vietnam War and Nixon eventually did in 1975 after much controversy including bombing Cambodia. Not long after his reelection, Nixon’s involvement in the Watergate Scandal was revealed and Nixon was eventually forced to resign.

Enjoy this collection of Nixon speeches and debates, including his debates with Kennedy, “I am not a crook” speech, his resignation speech, and a phone call to the moon.