Does anyone remember what Richard Nixon was saying

[dsc]

about running for President in 1965 and 1966? I know he gave the famous "You won't have Nixon to kick around anymore" press conference in 1962 after losing the governors race in California. I admittedly have no idea what he was saying back then. The parallels of a close loss followed by sitting out the next election is undeniable. So, was Nixon telling the country he wouldn't run back then?

[H2O Man]

1. Interesting point.

A number of people wrote Nixon off, but shortly after Goldwater's defeat in '64, Dick was building a machine across the country in preparation for '68. I'd have to look through some of the better books about that era to give more specific examples. I'd suggest that the book "An American Melodrams: The Presidential Campaign of 1968," by three British authors (Lewis Chester, Godfrey Hodgson, & Bruce Page) might have the best information on this, as they did fantastic research on Nixon.

[dsc]

2. I know he worked behind the scenes

but I wonder if he admitted he was running publicly. I do think Gore is our best shot.

[Doctor Panacea]

5. Gore would be the best candidate

Again, Gore is a powerful candidate and would be a great leader.

[H2O Man]

11. I read through a couple chapters .....

and it appears that he actually invested a lot of his time participating in other republican campaigns (Goldwater in '64, everyone in '66) to lay a foundation, and using his business position (corporate lawyers travel far and wide) to prepare for '68. Those around him knew what he was doing, but it wasn't announced.

[Doctor Panacea]

3. Nixon in 1965-66

Well, I had just graduated from high school, and I watched the news closely, but I do not remember what he was saying at this particular time. I don't THINK he announced anything definite during those two years. BTW, as I recall, the primary races in 1968 were a contest between him and Nelson Rockefeller.

[WI_DEM]

4. When Nixon was criss-crossing the country for GOP candidates

and building his network most political columnists of the day believed he was preparing for a run in '68--according to many Nixon biographies I've read. Unfortunately, political writers today like to think that Gore is really not going to run or is finished. I hope Gore surprises them.

[MissWaverly]

6. I don't recall but I remember the PR

You have to understand things were much simpler then, I don't remember him being as agressive
as Bush, It was trumpeted everywhere that this was the "New" Nixon not to be confused with
the "Old" Nixon, I remember him coming to the podium and being very relaxed, (whatever they
had done, he no longer looked like he needed a shave).

[Jack from Charlotte]

7. Also Nixon mentioned John Kennedy all the time.....

It was about 4 years since his death and Nixon linked him self with Kennedy in speechs all the time. "When President Kennedy and I debated.... etc..."

[MissWaverly]

8. and he even appeared on Laugh-In, a comedy show

he said "Sock it to me!" There was an emphasis that he was more laid back, more humane.

[DefenseLawyer]

9. Nixon appeared on Laugh-In

in the fall of '68 at the height of the campaign.

[MissWaverly]

10. that's right

I was just a young dweeble back then, Laugh In was similar to Saturday Night Live for it's
day, although Generation Xers would find it crude and sexist, it was very popular with young
people.

[H2O Man]

12. Yep!

September 16, 1968. "Sock it to me." Yikes!

[DefenseLawyer]

13. He actually said it

as more of a question: "Sock it to ME?" as i remember it. Yikes indeed.

[WinkyDink]

14. Exactly his inflection!

BTW, this was a Million-dollar Q&A for "Who Wants to be a Millionaire?"
I thought: HOW FRICKIN' EASY! 'Cuz I remembered it from back in the day!

[dsc]

15. That was lame to use as a question

I was barely alive back then but I knew the answer as well.