The highs and lows of Richard Nixon in American Political Culture - Term Paper Example

?Power Begets Power Over four decades ago, Richard Milhous Nixon, a son of a grocer, stood at a pavilion on the East Front of the US Capitol to be proclaimed as the thirty-seventh president of the United States (spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk). Four years after that, Nixon became the first US president to resign the highest post in a democratic society. To what then would such political perfidy amount to? Was it a mere lapse in judgment or was it a deliberate abuse of political authority? Was it a justified act dictated by pure human instinct and natural impulse or was it a definitive and blatant fraudulent machination aimed at deluding the American people? In 1969, the then-elected Nixon stood in front of the whole world and declared that the Americans may have been blinded by their sheer optimism and arrogance as they continue to grapple for supremacy in a race embittered by their own selfish longings. That as the Americans repeatedly strive for abundance in material possession, they have inadvertently ignored the gnawing abyss of their spirit. That as the Americans pursue policy of democratization, they have inevitably enforced socialistic and even nihilistic measures to their often defenseless prey. That as the Americans clamor for a much needed change in the nation, they have listlessly stood in the sidelines in hopes of having someone initiate such changes. To this lethargy, Nixon fervently hoped for ethical consciousness to spread amongst the people as he believed that the key to societal revolution can only be found in the hands of someone brave enough to forge it on his own (Nixon’s Inaugural Speech, par. 19). But while Nixon has been adamant in calling for the inherent patriotism embedded in every citizen of the United States, he seemed to have shamefully engineered what has come to be known as the single greatest political scandal of all time. The same person that marched into the southeastern edge of the world to preach about social justice and human rights was the same person who appeared to have ordered for the termination of some government officials deemed as loose ends in the so-called “operation.” The same head of state who took it upon himself to span the ideological differences of nations to reach the Soviets became the main antagonist in the brewing saga of political warlordism and modern tyranny. However, many are still of the belief that such atrociousness could not have been ordered by a man that the Americans have come to trust and respect. Many people remain adamant in proclaiming that such act could not have been a conscious decision made by a morally upright and virtuous man who spent his entire professional career serving the American people first through the navy, then the House of Representatives, Senate, office f the Vice President and finally, the office of the President. What then could have forced such upright gentleman to condone and even precipitate such malevolent deeds? Could such have been spawned by resentful political advisors out to take the seat away from a political personality that has evolved into a name that became too hot to handle? Or was it caused by nothing more than power begetting power? In Context Richard Milhous Nixon was born to Francis A. Nixon and Hannah Milhous Nixon on January 9, 1913 in Yorba Linda, California. Richard was second in a brood of five: Harold (1903 - 1933); Richard (1913 - 1994); Donald (1914 - 1987); Arthur (1918 - 1925); and, Edward (1930) (nps.gov). By typical standards, the Nixon family is poor and the family only managed to scrape by through life with the meager income generated by their farm. However, in 1922, the family struggled to make ends meet as the farm that was used to support the family with five sons, was fraught with hardships that soon forced it to close down (nixonlibrary.gov). Francis and Hannah Nixon then decided to move their family to Whittier, California where they envisioned re-building their lost business (nps.gov). Upon arriving at Whittier, the Nixon couple opened a grocery store and a gas station where all five of their sons had to take turns helping out during their spare time (Aitken 21). At that time, Richard Nixon was only a young boy who had to transfer to East Whittier Elementary School (nps.gov). But the change had little to do with performance of the young lad as he began to show signs of a bright future. While in the eighth grade, Richard Nixon was elected as the president of the entire eighth grade class (Morris 16). Then in high school, while Richard Nixon was attending Fullerton High School, his academic prowess began to surface (Black 17). However, Nixon eventually had to transfer to Whittier High School. This is due to Francis and Hannah’s initial belief that Harold (the oldest son), who was then attending Whittier High School, got his dissolute lifestyle from the students studying in that school (Black 19). As a result, Richard was at the outset, made to attend Fullerton. However, in 1928, Richard was permitted to attend Whittier from which he graduated from in 1930 (Black 20). The impressive scholastic performance of Richard Nixon in High School did not past undetected by several colleges and universities seeking to subsidize worthy students. As such, Nixon received a highly coveted scholarship to attend Harvard University (Black 23). But due to the strained finances capability of the family, Richard Nixon had to turn down the offer and went instead to the local Whittier College (Black 23). In college, Richard Nixon continued to be a top student earning him the position of student-body president and the respect of much of his peers (spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk). It seemed that the strain of the academics and the responsibility of taking on the student politic was no match for the young politician as he continued to excel in his studies while still keenly helping out in the family’s grocery store. In 1934, Nixon’s hard work and diligence through college earned him his diploma and the recognition for graduating second in his class (nixonlibrary.gov). In a similar manner, the outstanding academic performance of Nixon secured him a spot to take up law from the Duke University School of Law on full scholarship (nixonlibrary.gov). Three years after that, the mental prowess of Nixon once again held steadfast as he got his law degree and the recognition of being third in the entire graduating class. After leaving law school, Richard Nixon began to carve out his name in the legal world by joining the law firm Wingert and Bewley in Whittier, taking on commercial litigation (Aitken 79). A few years after that, Nixon opted to strive on his won by opening a branch of the Wingert and Bewley in La Habra (Black 44). This step paid off as Nixon was raised into becoming a full partner in the firm just over a year after the La Habra office was opened (Black 43). In 1938, Richard Nixon was casted in a play participated by the Whittier Community Players. The production was of “The Dark Tower” where Nixon played opposite a high school teacher named Thelma Catherine “Pat” Ryan (nixonlibrary.gov). Nixon immediately sought the attention of his co-actor which he described in his memoirs as a case of love at first sight from his end at Pat initially turned down his invitation to go out (nixonlibrary.gov). However, like any other obstacle, Nixon persevered and attained ultimate victory when Pat agreed to go out with him after several rejections (Ambrose 93). Two years after, specifically on June 21, 1940, Richard Nixon married Pat Ryan at the Mission Inn in Riverside, California (Viorst 13). Richard and Pat had two daughters, Tricia and Julie (nixonlibrary.gov). Political Travails Nixon began his sojourn into the political sphere began when the Republicans sought for a strong candidate to defeat then Congressman Jerry Voorhis (Parmet 91). A committee was formed by the Republicans to comb out the most suitable political nominee who could prevail over Voorhis. Herman Perry, the branch manager of the Bank of America branch office in Whittier and a friend of the Nixons mentioned the name of Richard Nixon as a viable contender. Perry then told Nixon of the possibility that the Republicans may consider supporting him should he decide to run for gubernatorial office. Nixon readily agreed to stake his finances, time and effort on the said undertaking that culminated in his sudden trip to California to meet with the committee (Gellman 27). In 1946, Nixon then began a series of intensive campaigning activities which eventually lead to the defeat of Voorhis (Gellman 82). In 1949, Nixon voiced his desire to run for US Senator against then incumbent Sheridan Downey of the Democrats (Gellman 282). A few months after that, or in November of 1949, Nixon announced his candidacy to the United States Senate (Morris 535). At that time, Downey was facing a tough battle against Helen Gahagan Douglas. However, in 1950, many were surprised when Downey announced his retirement amidst the brewing melee in the primary elections. In the end, Nixon and Douglas both won in the primary. But Nixon was the one who went on and succeeded in the bid for the senatorial seat (Gellman 335). In 1952, the Republicans nominated General Dwight D. Eisenhower to run for president. But the fact is that the group had no strong candidates lined up to serve as running mate for Eisenhower. The Republicans thus presented Eisenhower with Senator Robert Taft, Governor Alfred Driscoll of New Jersey, Senator Everett Dirksen and then Senator Richard Nixon (Gellman 440). Eisenhower selected Nixon to be his running mate and consequently led to the many months of campaigning (Aitken 206). But the journey to the Vice Presidential seat was in no means an easy feat for Nixon. Months after the Republicans announced the Eisenhower-Nixon ticket, a media expose threatened the alliance which almost caused Eisenhower to drop Nixon. That is, news began circulating about Nixon’s alleged campaign subsidy or political fund which serves as the chief lifeblood of the Nixon operation. Many political analysts claimed that such fund is not in reality illegal as there have been no concrete laws precluding the maintenance of such funds and the solicitation of support and assistance from third parties. However, this could easily become a point off the Eisenhower-Nixon ticket with the concomitant conflict of interest associated in such set up. Due to this, Eisenhower started having doubts as to the strength of bringing Nixon into the White House. Nixon’s camp accordingly took steps to rectify the situation which resulted in a speech given on September 23, 1952 by the Vice Presidential hopeful that came to be known as the “Checkers Speech” (Aitken 210). Nixon spoke of his roots from a struggling family and his early beginnings of balancing his studies and obligations to help out at home. He spoke of his humble background illustrating the fact that he is a man of modest means who may have aspired to take on the daunting responsibility of becoming a United States Vice President. Nixon spoke openly of the fund, thereby admitting its existence and not denying any part of it stating that such has been the result of the assistance of certain benefactors who believe in the probity of his fight. Nixon (Aitken 222). Nixon illustrated his family as a typical American besieged by the usual problems and beset by typical problem setbacks. This then created a new image of Nixon in the minds of the 60million Americans who watched the televised speech as an individual who is in no manner different from them and who vowed to serve their needs (Aitken 220). This appeared to have brought down the defenses of even the staunchest critic of Nixon as the speech was deemed as a masterpiece of rhetoric that earned the Vice Presidential candidate an outpouring of support from all over the country (Aitken 222). The possible dilemma that almost caused Nixon the Republican support thus became the rising tide that brought him into the White House. In 1954, President Eisenhower suffered a heart attack. Since the law authorizing the Vice President to take over the reins of the government in case the President in unable to perform his functions were yet to be enacted by way of the 25th Amendment to the US Constitution, Nixon had no power to do such that. But the conscientious and responsible Nixon took it upon himself to take over the functions of the president during his six-week recuperation period absent any obvious intention or malicious intent of seizing the executive power away from Eisenhower (Aitken 258). This then gained Nixon the respect and commendation from his peers, subordinates and the general population as he did not exert any effort to take over and skew the control of the government into his field an made no attempt to seize power (Ambrose 375). This then may have lifted the spirit of Nixon as he announced his intentions to seek for a reelection. In 1956, Nixon won his second term along with Eisenhower who likewise served out his reelection (Parmet 294). In 1960, Nixon opted to level up his ante as his bade for the Presidential seat. In the Republican primer, Nixon went with Henry Cabot Lodge, Jr., a Senator from Massachusetts as his running mate (nixonlibrary.gov). John F. Kennedy became the opponent of Nixon from the Democratic Party and the battle between the two stayed steep (nixonlibrary.gov). However, Ronald Steel of the New York Times is of the opinion that when Kennedy rode on ‘traditional politics’ called for the need of the Americans for modern solutions to modern problems, Nixon seemed to have lost the support of many people. Kennedy thus won the elections. The book entitled “Six Crises” was written by Richard Nixon as his Vice Presidential post came to a close. In 1962, the Republicans again egged on Nixon to enter politics by challenging Pat Brown in the gubernatorial elections in California (nixonlibrary.gov). However, many believed that Nixon was only using this post as a platform to launch a second bid to gain the presidential spot. As such, Nixon lost to Brown by almost 300,000 votes (nixonlibrary.gov). After two unsuccessful bids for a political seat, Nixon opted to go back to his law career. In 1963, Richard Nixon entered as a Senior Partnerin Nixon, Mudge, Rose, Guthrie & Associates, a law firm he founded along with his partners in New York City (nixonlibrary.gov). But the calling of the political limelight seem to be in Nixon’s blood. In 1967, Richard Nixon informed his family of his decision to run once again as president of the United States (Parmet 502). George Romney, the Governor of Michigan became the primary opponent of Nixon in the Republican Party. As Nixon became triumphant, he chose Spiro Agnew, the Governor of Maryland as his running mate (Parmet 509). In the end, Nixon rose victorious in the presidential elections defeating Huber Humphrey and Governor George Wallace of Alabama (nixonlibrary.gov). Richard Nixon took his oath of office in the US Capitol on that fateful day of January 20, 1969. In Perspective As a president, the regime of Nixon may be classified into seven categories involving foreign policy, international peacekeeping efforts, economic stability strategies, political and administrative undertakings, technological and educational enterprises, civil rights advocacy and finally, the Watergate controversy. In terms of international undertakings, President Nixon endeavored to establish ties even in the deepest recesses of the world. Disregarding ideological differences, President Nixon met with Zhou Enlai, the Chinese Premier and Mao Zedong, the Chinese Communist Party Chairman (Black 780). This particular visit astounded the whole world following the growing chasm between the call for democratization and the staunch advocacy of China of the Communist philosophy (Ambrose 516). Many considered this as a big leap in the creation of ties is the east and the probable bridging of the gap created by divergent political beliefs. Nixon likewise maintained a close monitoring of the incidences happening in Cuba as he authorized often covert operations under the then ruler Fidel Castro (Ambrose 379). The subsequent election that earned Salvador Allende the presidential post but was immediately opposed by Nixon brought him the reputation of instigating the democratization of the world (Ambrose 380). The Soviet Union likewise became a quick target for the US President as he endeavored to eradicate the utilization of nuclear weapons (news.bbc.co.uk). On May 22, 1972, President Nixon and the first lady were met by several prominent Soviet officials including: Leonid Brezhnev, the General Secretary of the Communist Party; Alexei Kosygin, the Chairman of the Council of Ministers; and, Nikolai Podgorny, the Soviet Head of State (news.bbc.co.uk). The journey to the Soviet region seemed to have been for the greater good of all with the signing of the SALT 1 and the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty (nixonlibrary.gov). Following this seeming successful trip, President Nixon endeavored a second trip which was widely received even by the locals evidenced by large cheering crowds and a luxurious welcoming ceremony (Black 963). This visit marked the beginning of talks about mutual defense pacts, detente, and multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles (MIRVs). However, there were no concrete resolutions to this particular visit (Black 966). But many believes that the ties created by Nixon with the Soviet is enough achievement to warrant the second visit (nixonlibrary.gov). The Middle East was likewise pursued by Nixon. Due to his policy of forestalling a direct participation in the war, Nixon’s administration undertook to provide its allies with sufficient weapons and armaments. In terms of providing international peacekeeping efforts, Nixon attempted to assuage the growing restlessness of the American people regarding the Vietnam War. President Nixon authorized the enactment of the “Vietnamization” policy where the US troops stationed in the war-torn province were incrementally being pulled out and replaced with Vietnamese troops (nixonlibrary.gov). However, this undertaking was quickly supplanted with doubts and misgivings on the Nixon administration with the circulation of what came to be known as “Pentagon Papers” highlighting the alleged deception of the previous administration concerning the Vietnam War and the US Government’s enacted policies (Ambrose 448). But the continued pull out of US troops from Vietnam eventually paved the way for the creation of the Paris Peace Accords in 1973 finally ended the US participation in the Vietnam War. With regards the economic development of the United States, the administration of Nixon sought to improve the escalating problem in inflation. However, President Nixon’s primary solution to this issue was to lessen if not completely eradicate useless government spending. Nixon attributed a large portion of the American revenue as being drained by the support and participation given in the Vietnam War. As a result, the Nixon regime made it their main task to end the involvement of the US in the said war as the key solution to the rising economic problem. The move towards “New Federalism” was spawned during the Nixon administration. This principle connotes the devolution of power to the state and its respective elected officials (Aitken 395). However, this concept was not widely received by the Congress which forced Nixon to not implement such policy as an all-out administrative revolution (Aitken 395). The US space program became one of the crowning glories of the administration with the successful landing of the Apollo 11 on the moon on July 20, 1969 (Parmet 563). In terms of transformation in the school system, the Nixon administration likewise may boast of the all out assimilation in public schools as a sign that the years of segregation is finally over (Boger 6). By way of civil rights promotion, the “Philadelphia Plan” in 1970 and the federal affirmative action program were also achievements of the Nixon administration (Parmet 603). But whatever political ties, economic improvement or successful space mission that the Nixon regime may have attained seemed to cower in the deep recesses of the minds of the Americans with the occurrence of the Watergate scandal. The Flesh Wound The Watergate scandal commenced with the apprehension of five men attempting to break into the offices of the Democratic National Committee (DNC) or the Democratic Party at the Watergate complex on June 17, 1972. Seven people were tried and convicted for burglary, conspiracy and violation of the federal wire-tapping laws (Doyle 17). The controversy reached its absolute tailspin when it was found that the money used to pay for the said mission appeared to have originated from the same fund which finances the Committee for the Re-Election of the President (Doyle 16). As the investigation went deeper, more incriminating evidences were established linking President Nixon to the wire-tapping activities (Gold 20). As a result, the Senate created a panel to take over the investigation called the Senate Watergate Committee where it became clearer and clearer that President Nixon indeed maintained a tape recording system in his office concerning conversations lifted from installed wire-tapping devices (Gold 23). More evidences surfaced and it was further proven that there was an attempt to cover up the break-in in the Watergate complex (time.com). Furthermore, the Nixon administration then sought to stop the release of the tapes to the Senate Committee claiming Nixon’s executive privilege (Gold 23). However, on April 29, 1974, the Nixon administration decided to release the tapes after conducting a minor editing thereby placing the term “expletive deleted” to the raw material (Gold 36). The response of the American public has been unanimous. There has been an outcry as to the obvious and very apparent coarse and vindictive language used by President Nixon in speaking about the break-in, the payment of the hush money and the left and right terminations undertaken by his team (time.com). Many high ranking officials have voiced their opinion that such event could have seriously jeopardized the credibility of Nixon and as such no other good would come out of it unless he opts to leave his post. Even the then House Republican Leader John Rhodes has declared that if the position of Nixon would not improve then his only option is to resign (time.com). On August 8, 1974, Richard Nixon stepped down from his office amidst a growing mistrust in his administration and a mounting clamor for him to leave his post (Gettlin and Colodny 420). Looking Back Richard Nixon may have more in common with Fernando Collor de Mello, Pervez Musharaff and Joseph Estrada than with Andrew Johnson, William Clinton, Abolhassan Banisadr and Traian Basescu. After all, the impeachment proceedings laid out against Nixon was never fully realized to qualify him as an impeached official. The fact is that Richard Nixon belongs to the second roster of names with heads of state opting to resign prior to the resolution of the impeachment case filed against them. But then again, only a seeming hairline appears to separate one group from the other. In the end, all the names amount to one thing, ouster. The Watergate controversy has generated an often divided take of the public as to what constitutes as impeachable offenses. While the offense of Nixon has been sorely limited to what has clearly amounted to a violation of the federal laws on wire-tapping, much cannot be said to be true for the rest of the presidents subjected to the travails of impeachment. Fernando Collor de Mello of Brazil was found guilty of the charges of corruption filed against him and opted to resign while the trial was underway. Pervez Musharaff of Pakistan was charged with illegal seizure of power and his illicit participation and support to the “war on terror” and subsequently resigned after massive protests (cnn.com). Joseph Ejercito Estrada of the Philippines has been charged with graft and corrupt practices but resigned while the impeachment proceedings are being conducted (yehey.com). Andrew Johnson of the United States was impeached in the House of Representatives for an alleged violation of the Tenure of Office Act with concomitant unconstitutional conduct on the part of the official (Milton 80). William Clinton was likewise impeached for perjury and obstruction of justice in a sexual misconduct involving one of his interns (Branch 17). Abolhassan Banisadr of Iran was likewise the subject of an impeachment proceeding when he was found to have conducted several moves against the clerics who were in power (Zabih 11). Traian Basescu of Romania was also subjected to an impeachment for unconstitutional conduct and impeachment (SETimes.com). In all the names mentioned, Richard Nixon’s violation seem to pale from the abuse and wrongful conduct performed by the others. The immediate tendering of resignation became the instantaneous cure that such leaders employed to soothe the fast deteriorating regard given to their name. But the fact remains that Nixon opted to resort to such means somehow reserved to heavy violators speak volumes of his desire to resolve the issue. While many may not agree that such act is a testament to his zeal to preserve his name and the prestige of the office, there are yet a few who would regard the Watergate scandal as a simple case of power begetting power. References Aitken, Jonathan. Nixon: a Life. Washington: Regnery, 1996. Print. Ambrose, Stephen E. Nixon. New York: Simon and Schuster, 1987. Print. Ambrose, Stephen E. Nixon: The Triumph of a Politician 1962–1972. New York: Simon and Schuster, 1989. Print. BBC. "BBC ON THIS DAY | 22 | 1972: President Nixon Arrives in Moscow." BBC News - Home. 22 May 2005. Web. 16 Nov. 2011. . Black, Conrad. Richard M. Nixon: a Life in Full. New York: PublicAffairs, 2007. Print. Branch, Taylor. The Clinton Tapes: Wrestling History with the President. New York: Simon and Schuster, 2009. Print. Boger, John Charles. School Resegregation: Must the South Turn Back?. Chapel Hill, N.C: University of North Carolina Press, 2005. Print. Doyle, James. 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