Seven handwritten lightly-lined pages and one typed carbon page, each 8 x 12.5, except one headed "Office of the Vice President" which measures 5.25 x 8, no date [circa September 1952]. While conducting his campaign for the Vice Presidency and stumping for Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1952, Nixon visited Bakersfield, Tulare, Fresno, and Marysville, and wrote these notes as speaking aids for each town. These small communities were whistle-stops along Nixon's swing through the West Coast as he campaigned for Eisenhower in 1952.
In part: "Bakersfield - Earthquake - Werdell - Part Democrat - 1. We are glad to see friends - we started here in 1950 - 2. We are sorry about earthquake - we know how this town surges back. a. Dems didn’t cause it But they've done a lot more damage to the country…Why Dems vote Rep? They don't want - Foreign Policy They don't want - Communism…They had enough - corruption…
Tulare - Bob Mathias - This county - wonderful support we received…Know you work hard - what do you want? Water - Farm program - Prosperity - but more a chance to plan for future…" Nixon refers to Bob Mathias, a 2-time Olympic gold medalist in the decathlon, who was from Tulare.
"Fresno - This Fresno area - because of votes - great grape & raisin industry - I'm for Ike - why you should be - The test is not what's good for him or for party. What's good for America - & for you. Are you satisfied that govt is good enough? - Foreign policy - Communists - Corruption - Its a mess…
Marysville: - You expect me to say vote for Ike - You're right - What do you want - Farm program - Reclamation & power - Oroville Dam - less for propaganda, more for work…
Corruption - Keating story - maybe should have taken a briefcase - this is typical of standards of Truman adm - Contribute to campaign - get bad debt - We've just stumbled on these - How many more? (finish with Kefauver quote) Quote Cecil King on evidence kept - Let’s get a look at books & clean out rest of crooks…”
In very good condition, with the handwritten note pages heavily toned, creased in places, and showing several fingerprint marks; carbon page from a typed speech, is heavily creased.
Most amazingly, these pages date to yet another tumultuous period in Nixon’s career. It was during this whistle-stop tour of California that the New York Post printed a story implying that the junior US senator and vice presidential candidate had a secret ‘slush fund’—money that, Nixon explained during his stop in Marysville, came from private donations and was used to cover expenses that exceeded his senator's income, thus saving taxpayers money. As Republican leaders advocated removing Nixon from the ticket, Nixon addressed the nation on television regarding the topic, explaining that he'd taken no money that wasn't due him, but admitting that his family was the recipient of a cocker spaniel named Checkers...and stating emphatically that he planned to keep this particular gift, regardless of the outcome. Nixon's ‘Checkers speech’ was enthusiastically received and his spot on the Republican ticket was secured. Remarkable handwritten notes with over 300 words in Nixon’s hand! Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RRAuction COA.
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