When it comes to Nixon, people will think of the "Watergate Incident" and his aloofness, cunning and suspicion. But despite working part-time to complete his studies from elementary school to university, he also has an easy-going, honest and approachable side. A typical example is: He would rather not be the vice president than live without a beagle.
On July 11, 1952, the Republican Party of the United States nominated the 39-year-old Nixon as the vice presidential candidate as Eisenhower's running mate. Just when he was full of ambition and busy giving speeches and canvassing votes in various places, two articles in the New York Post on September 18 were like an atomic bomb, causing shock throughout the United States. The headline on the front page read, "Secret Nixon Fund!" On another page, the headline read, "Monopoly's secret escrow fund allowed Nixon to live a life of luxury far beyond his salary." The Democratic Party, the Communist Party, and those who opposed Nixon within the party all wanted to take advantage of the opportunity to unseat Nixon. They used various channels and means to create public opinion that was unfavorable to Nixon's campaign, and there was a strong tendency for a storm to come.
Nixon considered the fund before and after, and felt that he had nothing to do wrong. He didn't take this matter to heart. But it became increasingly difficult for him to campaign, and he was questioned everywhere he went. In Portland, Oregon, an angry crowd pushed the Nixons around. Some people threw coins into Nixon's car, while others held sticks in one hand and shook an iron box with the words "For Poor Nixon" on it. Donate a few small dollars!"
At this time, Eisenhower was in a dilemma. He knew that Nixon had a large number of followers. If he suggested that Nixon withdraw, it would give the impression that he was forced by him, which would inevitably divide his own team. On the other hand, if he issued a statement in support of Nixon, he might be criticized. Covering others for doing bad things. However, the general election is in a state of anxiety, and prolonging the "fund issue" will be even more detrimental to his campaign. So he suggested that Nixon give a speech on television to explain clearly all the situations since entering politics to the people of the country and let the American people make a choice.
On the evening of September 23, Nixon's wife Pat accompanied him into the television studio and looked at him with encouragement, trust and expectation from behind the camera.
"My fellow Americans: Tonight, I come before you as a vice presidential candidate and a man whose honesty and integrity have been questioned." Nixon is indeed a genius in speeches, with a few opening remarks Later he regained his confidence to win. There was no speech script or any outline. He kept talking, as if he had been wronged outside and came back to express his feelings to his wife.
He started his appeal from his childhood and explained his financial situation to the audience one by one, proving his innocence. He knows that this is not enough to make voters trust him. No matter what he says, the voters will think that he is just talking in the campaign. The public is justified and the mother-in-law is justified. So, he lost no time in presenting the evidence, which was the audit results and legal findings on the fund: "Our conclusion is: 1. In the donations and expenditures to the fund established by Dana Smith, Senator Nixon did not Receive any financial benefit; 2. In the management of this fund, Senator Nixon did not violate any federal or state laws; 3. Whether the portion of the fund is paid directly by Dana Smith to a third party, or It was paid to Senator Nixon to repay his listed office expenses. According to current tax laws, Senator Nixon's income does not need to be reported and does not need to be taxed."
The evidence is clear, and it is necessary to slander Nixon. The rumors of bribery were self-evident. But he was not satisfied with this. He used the rhetorical method of asking questions to explain to voters how political campaigns work. He also took advantage of the situation to bring in Sparkman, the vice presidential candidate nominated by the Democratic Party, and exposed his actions in the past 10 years. , has been including his wife's name in the payroll of congressmen's employees, allowing voters to judge whether this is reasonable, thus dividing the Democratic Party's camp and swaying voters who tend to vote for the Democratic Party.
Nixon is indeed a Nixon, a master of speeches, he can capture the psychological reflection of the American people. He knows that explaining the "fund issue" clearly can only prove that he is innocent, but it will not win the hearts of voters. People are tired of politics. Political debates are between politicians. People are more interested in whether you are humane and lovable. At this time, he thought of President Roosevelt's dog. President Roosevelt was also criticized in 1944 for sending a destroyer to the Aleutian Islands to pick up his pet dog Farah during the war. Roosevelt defeated his attackers with just one sentence. He said: "I don't care about the attacks on me and my family, but Farah was angry about it." He took out a dog and changed the speech from a one-man performance into a "double act", thereby dramatically turning the speech into a double act. Push to climax.
He first lied about it and said he had a secret to tell everyone. He said that he had indeed received gifts. The audience, who were a little tired of listening to Nixon's long appeal, immediately cheered up. This is people's curiosity. As soon as they hear there is a secret, they open their eyes and prick up their ears to hear what gifts Nixon received and from whom. Nixon said unhurriedly: "A guy in Texas heard Pat say on the radio that our two kids really wanted a dog. Believe it or not.