1. Reaching Out to “Middle America” The Nixon Years

2. “Middle America” Many Americans supported the government and longed for an end to the chaos of the 1960’s Richard Nixon attempted to appeal to the average American whom he called “Middle America”

3. Election of 1968 Nixon claimed that he was supported by a “Silent majority” that was fed up with high crime rates, racial violence, war, and protests In Nixon’s view, those that opposed the Vietnam War were the “noisy minority”.

4. “We see Americans hating each other, killing each other at home.And as we see and hear these things, millions of Americans cry out in anguish, did we come all this way for this?”

5. Nixon’s Promises (1) Peace, with honor, in Vietnam (2) Return of “law and order” (3) Smaller, less interfering, government (4) Return of traditional, conservative values

6. "Richard Nixon is a no-good lying bastard. He can lie out of both sides of his mouth at the same time, and if he ever caught himself telling the truth, he'd lie just to keep his hand in.” - Harry S. Truman

7. Nixon’s Opposition Democratic nominee, Hubert Humphrey, and third party- candidate George Wallace, could not stop Nixon Nixon won the presidency, winning 43.4% of popular vote

8. Alliance with the South Much of Nixon’s support came from the South Nixon promised to appoint a Southern to the Supreme Court, team with a Southern Vice- President, and slow integration of public facilities After the election, Nixon began the Southern strategy to win even more Southern support

9. Nixon: Tough on Crime Nixon kept his promise of law and order by (1) Criticizing the Supreme Court regarding protection of criminal rights (2) Appointing several conservative Southern judges to the federal courts

10. Nixon: Family Values Nixon appealed to Catholics and suburban voters by supporting: (1)Aid to parochial schools (2) Strong anti-abortion policies (3) Opposition to pornography and obscenity

11. Nixon and New Federalism Nixon’s Republicans attempted to reduce the size of the federal government Under Nixon’s New Federalism, Congress dismantled several large federal programs and gave more control and funding to cities and states

12. The Declining Democratic Party The Democrats underwent reform between 1968 and 1972 –Much of the traditional party base was overshadowed by women, minorities, and war protesters Nominated Sen. George McGovern in 1972

13. The Nixon Landslide Although McGovern did not support illegal drug use or publicly support abortion, Nixon crushed him in the election –Nixon won 61% of the vote; Electoral College: 520-17 Republicans said McGovern represented the 3 A’s 1. Amnesty 2. Abortion 3. Acid (not HCl)