Word: agnew
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Dates: during 1970-1979
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...keeping Agnew, Nixon demonstrated his confidence that Democratic Candidate George McGovern poses no great threat to his reelection. If Nixon had been worried, he could undoubtedly have broadened the appeal of the Republican ticket by choosing someone less controversial than the divisive, abrasive and limited incumbent. In selecting Agnew, Nixon also demonstrated a low regard for the larger interests of the nation. Although he is apparently in good health, Nixon would begin his second term at the age of 60; if he should serve out another four years, Agnew would be a logical Republican presidential candidate in 1976; indeed...
Nixon's retention of Agnew pleased some key Republicans and disappointed others. "Agnew is a monster," conceded one White House staff member, "but he's Nixon's monster." Nixon appreciates Agnew's loyalty, privately concurs in his most controversial public views and, it seems certain, approved the themes of most of the Vice President's speeches before they were delivered. As one White House aide put it: "What was the President supposed to do? Call in Agnew and say, 'You did everything I asked you to do so now I'm dropping...
Nixon considers Agnew a valuable campaign fundraiser, and other presidential aides contend that he is far more popular with many influential Governors, mayors and rank-and-file Republicans than his critics imagine. Then, too, Nixon has difficulty in saying no on personal staff matters and in firing people, and he still smarts from Eisenhower's indecision over keeping him for a second term. There were immediate signs, however, that this time Agnew may be under presidential pressure to restrain his oratory. Nixon has told him to attack the Democrats forcefully on the issues, but to refrain from assailing personalities...
...some extent, Nixon is taking a calculated gamble with Agnew. The Vice President is widely considered a liability in attracting new young voters to the Republican Party, a major G.O.P. effort (see following story). Before the Nixon announcement, one Republican strategist explained: "Nixon wants to build the party, but with Agnew, you automatically lose the kids. How do you build a party if millions of those first-time voters go Democratic?" Moreover, there seemed no obvious necessity for retaining Agnew. George McGovern so offends most conservatives of both parties that they would likely have voted for Nixon even if Agnew...
...sticking with Agnew, Nixon passed over some men who almost surely would be more capable of leading the nation if the need should arise. They include Connally, who has shown far greater skill than Agnew in negotiating difficult issues, serving as Nixon's troubleshooter on both the international monetary scene and in the domestic wage-and price-control battles. Nixon resisted the temptation to pull another surprise by naming someone like Massachusetts Senator Ed Brooke, a black. In advance, a top Nixon aide knocked the Brooke possibility down. "It isn't because he's black or liberal...