Nixon Quote by John A. Farrell
““A reporter from St. Louis passed on a tip that the governor was homosexual. Nixon insisted he would never use it. “Even if I thought there was anything to that story about Stevenson’s being a queer (which I don’t) I wouldn’t dream of allowing it to be used in the campaign,” Nixon wrote back. “This personal stuff (true or false) is below the belt.” But in early September, on a shakedown cruise of New England, Nixon made sport of Stevenson’s masculinity, labeling him “Sidesaddle Adlai” and snorting, “Let the other side serve up the clever quips which send the State Department cocktail set into gales of giggles.”*1””
About This Quote
Source Letter: Private correspondence of Richard Nixon, 1962
Nixon rejected using personal rumors in politics, calling it below the belt, yet later mocked his opponent’s masculinity for political gain.
In simple terms: Nixon said personal attacks are wrong but still used them.
Key Takeaway
Avoid personal attacks in campaigns.
Themes
politics
ethics
media
personal attacks
Mood
cynical
critical
reflective
Type
political
ethical
historical
When to use this quote
- campaign speeches
- media commentary
- private letters
- political debates
Key Concepts
integrity
double standards
political strategy
Questions to Reflect On
- Is it ever justifiable to use personal rumors in politics?
- How do double standards affect public trust?
A Different Perspective
Nixon’s later mockery contradicts his stated principle.
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