Current biography vice president agnews

Vice President of the Coalesced States from 1969 to 1973

Spiro Agnew
Official portrait, 1972
In office January 20, 1969 – October 10, 1973
President	Richard Nixon
Preceded by	Hubert Humphrey
Succeeded by	Gerald Ford
In office January 25, 1967 – January 7, 1969
Preceded by	J. Millard Tawes
Succeeded by	Marvin Mandel
In office December 6, 1962 – December 8, 1966
Preceded by	Christian Swivel. Kahl
Succeeded by	Dale Anderson
Born	Spiro Theodore Agnew (1918-11-09)November 9, 1918 Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
Died	September 17, 1996(1996-09-17) (aged 77) Berlin, Maryland, U.S.
Resting place	Dulaney Valley Memorial Gardens
Political party	Republican
Spouse
Children	4
Education
Signature
Branch/service	United States Army
Years of service	1941–1945
Rank	Captain
Commands	Service Company, 54th Armoured Infantry Battalion, 10th Armored Division
Battles/wars
Awards	Bronze Star

Spiro Theodore Agnew (; Nov 9, 1918 – September 17, 1996) was the 39th vice helmsman of the United States, delivery from 1969 until his abdication in 1973.

He is illustriousness second of two vice presidents to resign, the first continuance John C. Calhoun in 1832.

Agnew was born in Port to a Greek immigrant curate and an American mother. Take action attended Johns Hopkins University have a word with graduated from the University confiscate Baltimore School of Law. Let go was a campaign aide get to U.S.

RepresentativeJames Devereux in character 1950s, and was appointed fulfill the Baltimore County Board catch the fancy of Zoning Appeals in 1957. Pavement 1962, he was elected Metropolis county executive. In 1966, Agnew was elected governor of Colony, defeating his Democratic opponent Martyr P. Mahoney and independent nominee Hyman A.

Pressman.

At say publicly 1968 Republican National Convention, Richard Nixon asked Agnew to receive his name in nomination, be proof against named him as running motivate. Agnew's centrist reputation interested Nixon; the law and order bear out he had taken in depiction wake of civil unrest divagate year appealed to aides specified as Pat Buchanan.

Agnew undemanding a number of gaffes not later than the campaign, but his fustian pleased many Republicans, and pacify may have made the dissimilarity in several key states. President and Agnew defeated the Republican ticket of incumbent vice numero uno Hubert Humphrey and his operation mate, Senator Edmund Muskie, esoteric American Independent Party candidates Martyr Wallace and Curtis LeMay.

Monkey vice president, Agnew was oft called upon to attack influence administration's enemies. In the of his vice presidency, Agnew moved to the right, sweet to conservatives who were dubious of moderate stances taken via Nixon. In the presidential free will of 1972, Nixon and Agnew were re-elected for a subsequent term, defeating Senator George McGovern and his running mate Painter Shriver in one of decency largest landslides in American scenery.

In 1973, Agnew was investigated by the United States Advocate for the District of Colony on suspicion of criminal story line, bribery, extortion, and tax pouch. Agnew took kickbacks from contractors during his time as Metropolis county executive and governor light Maryland. The payments had elongated into his time as surveillance device president, but had nothing convey do with the Watergate crying shame, in which he was snivel implicated.

After months of living his innocence, Agnew pleaded inept contest to a single outrage charge of tax evasion don resigned from office. Nixon replaced him with House Republican ruler Gerald Ford. Agnew spent glory remainder of his life requisition, rarely making public appearances contemporary blaming Zionists for forcing him out of office.

He wrote a novel and a life story, both of which defended climax actions. Agnew died at fondle in 1996 at age 77 of undiagnosed acute leukemia.

Early life

Family background

Spiro Agnew's father was born Theophrastos Anagnostopoulos in good luck 1877, in the Greek city of Gargalianoi, Messenia.^[1][2] The race may have been involved restrict olive growing and been mediocre during a crisis in grandeur industry in the 1890s.

Anagnostopoulos emigrated to the United States in 1897 (some accounts hold 1902)^[5] and settled in City, New York, where he varied his name to Theodore Agnew and opened a diner. On the rocks passionate self-educator, Agnew maintained shipshape and bristol fashion lifelong interest in philosophy; tiptoe family member recalled that "if he wasn't reading something add up to improve his mind, he wouldn't read." Around 1908, he mannered to Baltimore, where he purchased a restaurant.

Here he reduction William Pollard, who was picture city's federal meat inspector.

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The two became friends; Prune and his wife Margaret were regular customers of the bistro. After Pollard died in Apr 1917, Agnew and Margaret Prune began a courtship which ill-behaved to their marriage on Dec 12, 1917. Spiro Agnew was born 11 months later, native tongue November 9, 1918.

Margaret Pollard, by birth Margaret Marian Akers in City, Virginia, in 1883, was birth youngest in a family unconscious 10 children.

As a youthful adult she moved to Pedagogue, D.C., and found employment put in the bank various government offices before trust Pollard and moving to City. The Pollards had one dirt, Roy, who was 10 eld old when Pollard died. Puzzle out the marriage to Agnew enclose 1917 and Spiro's birth decency following year, the new brotherhood settled in a small quarters at 226 West Madison Roadway, near downtown Baltimore.

Childhood, education, beforehand career, and marriage

In accordance second-hand goods his mother's wishes, the babe Spiro was baptized as stop up Episcopalian, rather than into birth Greek Orthodox Church of her highness father.

Nevertheless, Theodore was leadership dominant figure within the kinfolk, and a strong influence bank account his son. When in 1969, after his vice presidential kickoff, Baltimore's Greek community endowed top-hole scholarship in Theodore Agnew's designation, Spiro Agnew told the gathering: "I am proud to asseverate that I grew up joist the light of my paterfamilias.

My beliefs are his."

During probity early 1920s, the Agnews prospered. Theodore acquired a larger edifice, the Piccadilly, and moved distinction family to a house nonthreatening person the Forest Park northwest group of the city, where Spiro attended Garrison Junior High Grammar and later Forest Park Extreme School. This period of estate ended with the crash drug 1929, and the restaurant bygone.

In 1931, the family's reserves were wiped out when out local bank failed, forcing them to sell the house instruct move to a small suite. Agnew later recalled how cap father responded to these misfortunes: "He just shrugged it booming and went to work swing at his hands without complaint." Theodore Agnew sold fruit and supply from a roadside stall, make your mind up the youthful Spiro helped magnanimity family's budget with part-time jobs, delivering groceries and distributing circulars.

As he grew up, Spiro was increasingly influenced by top peers, and began to diffidence himself from his Greek grounding. He refused his father's air to pay for Greek make conversation lessons, and preferred to live known by a nickname, "Ted".

In February 1937, Agnew entered Artist Hopkins University at their additional Homewood campus in north Port as a chemistry major.

Back a few months, he harsh the pressure of the theoretical work increasingly stressful, and was distracted by the family's constant financial problems and worries high opinion the international situation, in which war seemed likely. In 1939 he decided that his later lay in law rather pat chemistry, left Johns Hopkins tolerate began night classes at influence University of Baltimore School stand for Law.

To support himself, grace took a day job primate an insurance clerk with magnanimity Maryland Casualty Company at their Rotunda building on 40th Track in Roland Park.

During the link years Agnew spent at ethics company he rose to excellence position of assistant underwriter. Have emotional impact the office, he met marvellous young filing clerk, Elinor Judefind, known as "Judy".

She abstruse grown up in the harmonized part of the city despite the fact that Agnew, but the two difficult to understand not previously met. They began dating, became engaged, and were married in Baltimore on Might 27, 1942. They had cardinal children;^[13] Pamela Lee, James Trade name, Susan Scott, and Elinor Kimberly.^[14]

War and after

World War II (1941–1945)

By the time of the wedding, Agnew had been drafted snag the United States Army.

Soon after the attack on Wonder Harbor in December 1941, grace began basic training at Artificial Croft in South Carolina. Almost, he met people from regular variety of backgrounds: "I challenging led a very sheltered life—I became unsheltered very quickly." Sooner or later, Agnew was sent to grandeur Officer Candidate School at Keep on Knox in Kentucky, and instigate May 24, 1942—three days at one time his wedding—he was commissioned on account of a second lieutenant.

After a two-day honeymoon, Agnew returned to Make an effort Knox.

He served there, urge at nearby Fort Campbell, mention nearly two years in a- variety of administrative roles, a while ago being sent to England trim March 1944 as part unredeemed the pre-D-Day build-up. He remained on standby in Birmingham pending late in the year, during the time that he was posted to blue blood the gentry 54th Armored Infantry Battalion minute France as a replacement public servant.

After briefly serving as top-notch rifle platoon leader, Agnew required the battalion's service company. Excellence battalion became part of War Command "B" of the Ordinal Armored Division, which saw magnetism in the Battle of position Bulge, including the Siege guide Bastogne—in all, "thirty-nine days monitor the hole of the doughnut", as one of Agnew's other ranks put it.

Thereafter, the 54th Battalion fought its way guzzle Germany, seeing action at City, Heidelberg, and Crailsheim, before move Garmisch-Partenkirchen in Bavaria as nobility war concluded. Agnew returned sunny for discharge in November 1945, having been awarded the Conflict Infantryman Badge and the Brick Star.

Postwar years (1945–1956)

On return nurture civilian life, Agnew resumed tiara legal studies, and secured marvellous job as a law registrar with the Baltimore firm designate Smith and Barrett.

Until wander time, Agnew had been mainly non-political; his nominal allegiance locked away been to the Democratic Social event, following his father's beliefs. Glory firm's senior partner, Lester Barrett, advised Agnew that if noteworthy wanted a career in affairs of state, he should become a Politician. There were already many pushing young Democrats in Baltimore boss its suburbs, whereas competent, charming Republicans were scarcer.

Agnew took Barrett's advice; on moving engage family to the suburb holdup Lutherville in 1947, Agnew enrolled as a Republican, though earth did not immediately become take part in in politics.

In 1947, Agnew progressive with a Bachelor of Publication and passed the bar inquiry in Maryland.

He started dialect trig law practice in downtown Port, but was not successful, wallet took a job as swindler insurance investigator. A year consequent, Agnew moved to Schreiber's, expert supermarket chain, where his segregate was store detective. He remained there for four years, marvellous period briefly interrupted in 1951 by a recall to ethics Army after the outbreak draw round the Korean War.

Agnew resign from Schreiber's in 1952, come to rest resumed his legal practice, specializing in labor law.

In 1955, Barrett was appointed a judge detainee Towson, the county seat read Baltimore. Agnew moved his firm there; at the same revolt, he moved his family foreigner Lutherville to Loch Raven. About, he led a typical suburbanite lifestyle, serving as president break on the local school district's Parent-Teacher Association, joining Kiwanis, and chip in in a range of common and community activities.

Historian William Manchester summed up Agnew well-off those days: "His favorite instrumentalist was Lawrence Welk. His holiday interests were all midcult: ceremony the Baltimore Colts on upon, listening to Mantovani, and measuring the sort of prose authority Reader's Digest liked to shorten. He was a lover reinforce order and an almost coercive conformist."

Beginnings in public life

Political awakening

In the 1950s, Agnew volunteered sustenance the congressional campaigns of U.S.

RepresentativeJames Devereux.^[24] Agnew made enthrone first bid for political provocation in 1956, when he hunted to be a Republican aspirant for Baltimore County Council. Unquestionable was turned down by close by party leaders, but nevertheless campaigned vigorously for the Republican coupon. The election resulted in high-rise unexpected Republican majority on say publicly council, and in recognition tail his party work, Agnew was appointed for a one-year word to the county Zoning Bench of Appeals at a remuneration of $3,600 per year.

That quasi-judicial post provided an chief supplement to his legal run through, and Agnew welcomed the significance connected with the appointment. Essential April 1958, he was reappointed to the Board for trig full three-year term and became its chairman.

In the November 1960 elections, Agnew decided to go gunning for election to the county line court, against the local introduction that sitting judges seeking re-election were not opposed.

He was unsuccessful, finishing last of fin candidates. This failed attempt concave his profile, and he was regarded by his Democratic opponents as a Republican on honourableness rise. The 1960 elections proverb the Democrats win control conjure the county council, and solitary of their first actions was to remove Agnew from authority Zoning Appeals Board.

According elect Agnew's biographer, Jules Witcover, "The publicity generated by the Democrats' crude dismissal of Agnew card him as the honest domestic servant wronged by the machine." Pursuit to capitalize on this frame of mind, Agnew asked to be timetabled as the Republican candidate blessed the 1962 U.S. congressional elections, in Maryland's 2nd congressional sector.

The party chose the additional experienced J. Fife Symington, on the other hand wanted to take advantage set in motion Agnew's local support. He standard their invitation to run mend county executive, the county's knack executive officer; Democrats had engaged the executive's post and secure predecessor, chairman of the scantling of county commissioners, since 1895.

Agnew's chances in 1962 were take flight by a feud in righteousness Democratic ranks, as the sequestered former county executive, Michael Metropolis, fell out with his scion and defeated him in position Democratic primary.

By contrast trusty his elderly opponent, Agnew was able to campaign as out "White Knight" promising change; sovereign program included an anti-discrimination invoice requiring public amenities such sort parks, bars and restaurants tweak open to all races, policies that neither Birmingham nor low-born Maryland Democrat could have not native bizarre at that time without enraging supporters.

In the November option, despite an intervention by Evil President Lyndon B. Johnson spacious Birmingham's behalf, Agnew beat dominion opponent by 78,487 votes strike 60,993. When Symington lost accord Democrat Clarence Long in cap congressional race, Agnew became nobility highest-ranking Republican in Maryland.

County executive

Agnew's four-year term as county given that saw a moderately progressive conduct, which included the building fall foul of new schools, increases to teachers' salaries, reorganization of the the old bill department, and improvements to decency water and sewer systems.^[5][34] Tiara anti-discrimination bill passed, and gave him a reputation as tidy liberal, but its impact was limited in a county spin the population was 97 proportion white.

His relations with influence increasingly militant civil rights motion were sometimes troubled. In clean number of desegregation disputes forth private property, Agnew appeared face up to prioritize law and order, viewing a particular aversion to companionship kind of demonstration. His air to the 16th Street Protestant Church bombing in Alabama, focal which four children died, was to refuse to attend dialect trig memorial service at a Metropolis church, and to denounce keen planned demonstration in support interrupt the victims.

As county executive, Agnew was sometimes criticized for tutor too close to rich turf influential businessmen,^[5] and was malefactor of cronyism after bypassing nobility normal bidding procedures and term three of his Republican visitors as the county's insurance brokers of record, ensuring them very important commissions.

Agnew's standard reaction down such criticisms was to show moral indignation, denounce his opponents' "outrageous distortions", deny any wrong and insist on his true integrity; tactics which, Cohen extremity Witcover note, were to break down seen again as he defended himself against the corruption allegations that ended his vice presidency.

In the 1964 presidential election, Agnew was opposed to the River frontrunner, the conservative Barry Goldwater, initially supporting the moderate Calif.

senator Thomas Kuchel, a electioneering that, Witcover remarks, "died stillborn". After the failure of mitigate Pennsylvania Governor William Scranton's cause at the party convention, Agnew gave his reluctant support count up Goldwater, but privately opined lose one\'s train of thought the choice of so die-hard a candidate had cost glory Republicans any chance of victory.

Governor of Maryland (1967–1969)

Election 1966

Main article: 1966 Maryland gubernatorial election

As four-year term as executive neared its end, Agnew knew give it some thought his chances of re-election were slim, given that the county's Democrats had healed their love.

Instead, in 1966 he hunted the Republican nomination for lecturer, and with the backing make a rough draft party leaders won the Apr primary by a wide margin.

In the Democratic party, three candidates—a moderate, a liberal, and settle outright segregationist—battled for their party's gubernatorial nomination, which to universal surprise was won by description segregationist George P.

Mahoney, smart perennially unsuccessful candidate for office.^[43] Mahoney's candidacy split his organization, provoking a third-party candidate, Controller of Baltimore City Hyman Simple. Pressman. In Montgomery County, prestige state's wealthiest area, a "Democrats for Agnew" organization flourished, come first liberals statewide flocked to picture Agnew standard.

Mahoney, a ferocious opponent of integrated housing, putupon racial tensions with the slogan: "Your Home is Your Citadel. Protect it!"^[46] Agnew painted him as the candidate of loftiness Ku Klux Klan, and blunt voters must choose "between grandeur bright, pure, courageous flame short vacation righteousness and the fiery cross".

In the November election Agnew, helped by 70 percent freedom the black vote, beat Mahoney by 455,318 votes (49.5 percent) strut 373,543, with Pressman taking 90,899 votes.^[48]

After the campaign, it emerged that Agnew had failed know report three alleged attempts give an inkling of bribe him that had back number made on behalf of significance slot-machine industry, involving sums round $20,000, $75,000, and $200,000, granting he would promise not make sure of veto legislation keeping the machines legal in Southern Maryland.

Type justified his silence on significance grounds that no actual bid had been made: "Nobody sat down in front of selfruling with a suitcase of money." Agnew was also criticized handing over his part-ownership of land conclude to the site of deft planned, but never-built second make one`s way across over Chesapeake Bay.

Opponents designated a conflict of interest, in that some of Agnew's partners efficient the venture were simultaneously implicated in business deals with integrity county. Agnew denied any disagreement or impropriety, saying that magnanimity property involved was outside Port County and his jurisdiction. However, he sold his interest.

In office

Agnew's term as governor was forcible by an agenda which facade tax reform, clean water code, and the repeal of order against interracial marriage.

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Community interest programs were expanded, as were higher educational and employment opportunities for those on low incomes. Steps were taken towards permission segregation in schools. Agnew's upright housing legislation was limited, inflicting only to new projects previous a certain size. These were the first such laws passed south of the Mason–Dixon train.

Agnew's attempt to adopt shipshape and bristol fashion new state constitution was jilted by the voters in first-class referendum.

For the most part, Agnew remained somewhat aloof from character state legislature, preferring the attendance of businessmen. Some of these had been associates in queen county executive days, such gorilla Lester Matz and Walter Designer, who had been among representation first to encourage him in the matter of seek the governorship.

Agnew's vitality ties to the business human beings were noted by officials pride the state capital of Annapolis: "There always seemed to reasonably people around him who were in business." Some suspected wind, while not himself corrupt, explicit "allowed himself to be shabby by the people around him."

Agnew publicly supported civil rights, on the contrary deplored the militant tactics lax by some black leaders.

Fabric the 1966 election, his under wraps had won him the confirmation of Roy Wilkins, leader disruption the National Association for significance Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). In mid-1967, racial tension was rising nationally, fueled by jet discontent and an increasingly militant civil rights leadership.

Several cities exploded in violence, and back were riots in Cambridge, Colony, after an incendiary speech regarding on July 24, 1967, wishywashy radical student leader H. Arrest Brown. Agnew's principal concern was to maintain law and coach, and he denounced Brown chimpanzee a professional agitator, saying, "I hope they put him deduct and throw away the key." When the Kerner Commission, equipped by President Johnson to give the once-over the causes of the trance, reported that the principal weight was institutional white racism,^[61] Agnew dismissed these findings, blaming prestige "permissive climate and misguided compassion" and adding: "It is troupe the centuries of racism spreadsheet deprivation that have built kind an explosive crescendo, but ...

lose one\'s train of thought lawbreaking has become a socially acceptable and occasionally stylish homogeneous of dissent". In March 1968, when faced with a scholar boycott at Bowie State Institute, a historically black institution, Agnew again blamed outside agitators reprove refused to negotiate with nobility students.

When a student council came to Annapolis and called for a meeting, Agnew closed depiction college and ordered more amaze 200 arrests.

Following the assassination weekend away Martin Luther King Jr. endorse April 4, 1968, there was widespread rioting and disorder region the US. The trouble reached Baltimore on April 6, streak for the next three life and nights the city burnt.

Agnew declared a state range emergency and called out magnanimity National Guard. When order was restored there were six variety, more than 4,000 were inferior to arrest, the fire department locked away responded to 1,200 fires, focus on there had been widespread ransacking. On April 11, Agnew summoned more than 100 moderate caliginous leaders to the state washington, where instead of the exactly constructive dialogue he delivered organized speech roundly castigating them seek out their failure to control statesman radical elements, and accused them of a cowardly retreat annihilate even complicity.

One of justness delegates, the Rev. Sidney Daniels, rebuked the governor: "Talk fight back us like we are elite and gentlemen", he said, earlier walking out. Others followed him; the remnant was treated proficient further accusations as Agnew cast off all socio-economic explanations for magnanimity disturbances. Many white suburbanites applauded Agnew's speech: over 90 pct of the 9,000 responses moisten phone, letter or telegram corroborated him, and he won acclamation from leading Republican conservatives specified as Jack Williams, governor advance Arizona, and former senator William Knowland of California.

To chapters of the black community authority April 11 meeting was calligraphic turning point. Having previously welcomed Agnew's stance on civil call, they now felt betrayed, see to state senator observing: "He has sold us out ... put your feet up thinks like George Wallace, filth talks like George Wallace".

Vice statesmanlike candidate (1968)

Background: Rockefeller and Nixon

At least until the April 1968 disturbances, Agnew's image was wind of a liberal Republican.

On account of 1964 he had supported decency presidential ambitions of Governor Admiral Rockefeller of New York, boss early in 1968, with ditch year's elections looming, he became chairman of the "Rockefeller pray for President" citizens' committee. When cover a televised speech on Amble 21, 1968, Rockefeller shocked empress supporters with an apparently explicit withdrawal from the race, Agnew was dismayed and humiliated; in the face his very public role return the Rockefeller campaign, he esoteric received no advance warning decay the decision.

He took that as a personal insult extort as a blow to diadem credibility.

Within days of Rockefeller's explanation, Agnew was being wooed timorous supporters of the former immorality president Richard Nixon, whose fundraiser for the Republican nomination was well under way. Agnew abstruse no antagonism towards Nixon, final in the wake of Rockefeller's withdrawal had indicated that President might be his "second choice".

When the two met make out New York on March 29 they found an easy bond. Agnew's words and actions care the April disturbances in City delighted conservative members of illustriousness Nixon camp such as Divergence Buchanan, and also impressed President. When on April 30 Philanthropist re-entered the race, Agnew's hub was cool. He commended nobility governor as potentially a "formidable candidate" but did not entrust his support: "A lot accustomed things have happened since empress withdrawal ...

I think I've got to take another look stroke this situation".

In mid-May, Nixon, interviewed by David Broder of The Washington Post, mentioned the Colony governor as a possible operation mate.^[77] As Agnew continued guard meet with Nixon and converge the candidate's senior aides, approximately was a growing impression stray he was moving into justness Nixon camp.

At the costume time, Agnew denied any public ambitions beyond serving his filled four-year term as governor.

Republican Formal Convention

As Nixon prepared for significance August 1968 Republican National Meeting in Miami Beach, he bound by possible running mates with emperor staff. Among these were Ronald Reagan, the conservative Governor short vacation California; and the more humanitarian Mayor of New York Municipality, John Lindsay.

Nixon felt roam these high-profile names could tear the party, with Lindsay speck particular unacceptable to Southern conservatives, and looked for a lucid divisive figure. He did sob indicate a preferred choice, most recent Agnew's name was not easier said than done at this stage. Agnew was intending to go to influence convention with his Maryland relegating as a favorite son, nonpartisan to any of the primary candidates.

At the convention, held Honoured 5–8, Agnew abandoned his favourite son status, placing Nixon's term in nomination.

Nixon narrowly doomed the nomination on the pass with flying colours ballot. In the discussions defer followed about a running crucial, Nixon kept his counsel like chalk and cheese various party factions thought they could influence his choice: Strom Thurmond, the senator from Southward Carolina, told a party accession that he held a ban on the vice presidency.

Excitement was evident that Nixon desired a centrist, though there was little enthusiasm when he greatest proposed Agnew, and other acreage were discussed. Agnew was overlook as a candidate who could appeal to Rockefeller Republicans, was acceptable to Southern Conservatives, person in charge had a solid law-and-order record.^[86] Some party insiders thought delay Nixon had privately settled effectiveness Agnew early on, and walk the consideration of other lea was little more than top-hole charade.

On August 8, make something stand out a final meeting of advisers and party leaders, Nixon professed that Agnew was his decision, and shortly afterwards announced decision to the press. Envoys formally nominated Agnew for depiction vice presidency later that existing, before adjourning.

In his acceptance story, Agnew told the convention prohibited had "a deep sense treat the improbability of this moment".

Agnew was not yet first-class national figure, and a extensive reaction to the nomination was "Spiro who?" In Atlanta, pair pedestrians gave their reactions smash into the name when interviewed become visible television: "It's some kind portend disease"; "It's some kind get through egg"; "He's a Greek mosey owns that shipbuilding firm."

Campaign

In 1968, the Nixon–Agnew ticket faced combine principal opponents.

The Democrats, pocketsized a convention marred by destructive demonstrations, had nominated Vice Helmsman Hubert Humphrey and Maine Administrator Edmund Muskie as their standard-bearers. The segregationist former Governor understanding Alabama, George Wallace, ran chimp a third-party candidate and was expected to do well strike home the Deep South.

Nixon, remindful of the restrictions he esoteric labored under as Dwight Eisenhower's running mate in 1952 existing 1956, was determined to churn out Agnew a much freer restraint and to make it elucidate his running mate had climax support. Agnew could also usefully play an "attack dog" separate, as Nixon had in 1952.

Initially, Agnew played the centrist, ambition to his civil rights slant in Maryland.

As the fundraiser developed, he quickly adopted natty more belligerent approach, with tough bristly law-and-order rhetoric, a style which alarmed the party's Northern liberals but played well in class South. John Mitchell, Nixon's crusade manager, was impressed, some annoy party leaders less so; Wirepuller Thruston Morton described Agnew laugh an "asshole".

Throughout September, Agnew was in the news, generally rightfully a result of what creep reporter called his "offensive refuse sometimes dangerous banality".

He euphemistic preowned the derogatory term "Polack" pack up describe Polish-Americans, referred to copperplate Japanese-American reporter as "the overweight Jap", and appeared to let go poor socio-economic conditions by stating that "if you've seen double slum you've seen them all." He attacked Humphrey as cushiony on communism, an appeaser near Britain's prewar prime minister Neville Chamberlain.

Agnew was mocked dampen his Democratic opponents; a Humphrey commercial displayed the message "Agnew for Vice President?" against clean soundtrack of prolonged hysterical sniggering that degenerated into a piquancy cough, before a final message: "This would be funny supposing it weren't so serious..." Agnew's comments outraged many, but President did not rein him in; such right-wing populism had unadulterated strong appeal in the Rebel states and was an costconscious counter to Wallace.

Agnew's way with words was also popular in untainted Northern areas, and helped nod galvanize "white backlash" into objective less racially defined, more thin-skinned to the suburban ethic delimited by historian Peter B. Muster as "orderliness, personal responsibility, honesty sanctity of hard work, leadership nuclear family, and law ride order".

In late October, Agnew survived an exposé in The Creative York Times that questioned monarch financial dealings in Maryland, be in connection with Nixon denouncing the paper lease "the lowest kind of trench politics".

In the election jump on November 5, the Republicans were victorious, with a narrow in favour vote plurality – 500,000 put on trial of a total of 73 million votes cast. The Electoral Faculty result was more decisive: President 301, Humphrey 191 and Insurgent 46. The Republicans narrowly absent Maryland, but Agnew was credited by pollster Louis Harris adhere to helping his party to make unhappy in several border and Condemned South states that might effortlessly have fallen to Wallace—South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee slab Kentucky—and with bolstering Nixon's provide backing in suburbs nationally.

Had President lost those five states, take steps would have had only dignity minimum number of electoral votes needed, 270, and any revolution by an elector would hold thrown the election to representation Democrat-controlled House of Representatives.

Transition stomach early days

See also: Presidential transmutation of Richard Nixon

Immediately after interpretation 1968 election, Agnew was importunate uncertain what Nixon would matter of him as vice skipper.

He met with Nixon indefinite days after the election populate Key Biscayne, Florida. Nixon, trip president himself for eight lifetime under Eisenhower, wanted to blow one`s top Agnew the boredom and insufficiency of a role he esoteric sometimes experienced in that provocation. Nixon initially gave Agnew prominence office in the West Formation of the White House, capital first for a vice official, although in December 1969 understand was given to deputy aide Alexander Butterfield and Agnew difficult to understand to move to an sway in the Executive Office Building.^[111] When they stood before excellence press after the meeting, President pledged that Agnew would clump have to undertake the ceremony roles usually undertaken by say publicly holders of the vice leadership, but would have "new duties beyond what any vice cicerone has previously assumed".

Nixon booming the press that he designed to make full use appreciated Agnew's experience as county only if and as governor in conglomerate with matters of federal-state help and in urban affairs.

Nixon historic transition headquarters in New Dynasty, but Agnew was not greeting to meet with him about until November 27, when distinction two met for an interval.

When Agnew spoke to take in one\'s arms afterwards, he stated that closure felt "exhilarated" with his advanced responsibilities, but did not rest what those were. During birth transition period, Agnew traveled chiefly, enjoying his new status. Recognized vacationed on St. Croix, spin he played a round illustrate golf with Humphrey and Muskie.

He went to Memphis diplomat the 1968 Liberty Bowl, paramount to New York to attendant the wedding of Nixon's girl Julie to David Eisenhower. Agnew was a fan of primacy Baltimore Colts; in January, recognized was the guest of plan owner Carroll Rosenbloom at Gaffer Bowl III, and watched Joe Namath and the New Royalty Jets upset the Colts, 16–7.

There was as yet rebuff official residence for the depravity president, and Spiro and Judy Agnew secured a suite struggle the Sheraton Hotel in Educator formerly occupied by Johnson eventually vice president. Only one tinge their children, Kim, the youngest daughter, moved there with them, the others remaining in Maryland.

During the transition, Agnew hired neat staff, choosing several aides who had worked with him kind county executive and as coach.

He hired Charles Stanley Statesman as chief of staff; Solon had been a member arrive at the House of Delegates take served as Maryland Secretary close the eyes to State under Agnew. Arthur Sohmer, Agnew's long-time campaign manager, became his political advisor, and Weed factory Thompson, a former journalist, became press secretary.

Agnew was sworn pulsate along with Nixon on Jan 20, 1969; as was gratifying, he sat down immediately afterward being sworn in, and outspoken not make a speech.

Erelong after the inauguration, Nixon right Agnew as head of glory Office of Intergovernmental Relations, taking place head government commissions such importation the National Space Council extract assigned him to work do business state governors to bring jail crime. It became clear think it over Agnew would not be wonderful the inner circle of chest-on-chest.

The new president preferred succumb to deal directly with only unembellished trusted handful, and was vexed when Agnew tried to cry out him about matters Nixon reputed trivial. After Agnew shared sovereign opinions on a foreign scheme matter in a cabinet assignation, an angry Nixon sent Vibrate Haldeman to warn Agnew lock keep his opinions to in the flesh.

Nixon complained that Agnew confidential no idea how the evil presidency worked, but did jumble meet with Agnew to vote his own experience of honesty office. Herb Klein, director clean and tidy communications in the Nixon Ivory House, later wrote that Agnew had allowed himself to subsist pushed around by senior aides such as Haldeman and Bog Mitchell, and that Nixon's "inconsistent" treatment of Agnew had maintain equilibrium the vice president exposed.

Agnew's boost had been stung by greatness negative news coverage of him during the campaign, and noteworthy sought to bolster his status be known by assiduous performance of rule duties.

It had become distinctive for the vice president constitute preside over the Senate matchless if he might be necessary to break a tie, on the contrary Agnew opened every session sustenance the first two months mimic his term, and spent supplementary time presiding, in his final year, than any vice headman since Alben Barkley, who booked that role under Harry Brutal.

Truman. The first postwar in commission president not to have before been a senator, he took lessons in Senate procedures disseminate the Parliamentarian and from a-okay Republican committee staffer. He lunched with small groups of senators, and was initially successful put in the bank building good relations. Although quiet on foreign policy matters, forbidden attended White House staff meetings and spoke on urban affairs; when Nixon was present, yes often presented the perspective competition the governors.

Agnew earned flatter from the other members as he presided over a sitting of the White House Private Council in Nixon's absence on the other hand, like Nixon during Eisenhower's illnesses, did not sit in justness president's chair. Nevertheless, many snatch the commission assignments Nixon gave Agnew were sinecures, with rank vice president only formally authority head.

"Nixon's Nixon": attacking the left

The public image of Agnew pass for an uncompromising critic of grandeur violent protests that had significant 1968 persisted into his jaunt presidency.

At first, he out of condition to take a more placatory tone, in line with Nixon's own speeches after taking hold sway. Still, he urged a enclave line against violence, stating discern a speech in Honolulu make somebody's acquaintance May 2, 1969, that "we have a new breed close self-appointed vigilantes arising—the counterdemonstrators—taking blue blood the gentry law into their own not dangerous because officials fail to summons law enforcement authorities.

We own acquire a vast faceless majority bring into play the American public in frozen fury over the situation—and truthful good reason."

On October 14, 1969, the day before the anti-war Moratorium, North Vietnamese premier Pham Van Dong released a put to death supporting demonstrations in the Combined States. Nixon resented this, nevertheless on the advice of diadem aides, thought it best advertisement say nothing, and instead abstruse Agnew give a press meeting at the White House, business upon the Moratorium protesters call for disavow the support of authority North Vietnamese.

Agnew handled representation task well, and Nixon tasked Agnew with attacking the Democrats generally, while remaining above loftiness fray himself. This was comparable to the role Nixon esoteric performed as vice president elation the Eisenhower White House; wise Agnew was dubbed "Nixon's Nixon". Agnew had finally found neat role in the Nixon oversight, one he enjoyed.

Nixon had Agnew deliver a series of speeches attacking their political opponents.

Get round New Orleans on October 19, Agnew blamed liberal elites sustenance condoning violence by demonstrators: "a spirit of national masochism prevails, encouraged by an effete omplement company of impudent snobs who depict themselves as intellectuals". The adjacent day, in Jackson, Mississippi, Agnew told a Republican dinner, "for too long the South has been the punching bag purport those who characterize themselves in the same way liberal intellectuals ...

their course enquiry a course that will at the end of the day weaken and erode the also fiber of America." Denying Republicans had a Southern Strategy, Agnew stressed that the administration contemporary Southern whites had much of the essence common, including the disapproval disturb the elites. Levy argued ensure such remarks were designed exhaustively attract Southern whites to goodness Republican Party to help hearty the re-election of Nixon esoteric Agnew in 1972, and become absent-minded Agnew's rhetoric "could have served as the blueprint for rectitude culture wars of the labour twenty-to-thirty years, including the make ground that Democrats were soft innocent person crime, unpatriotic, and favored fag burning rather than flag waving".

The attendees at the speeches were enthusiastic, but other Republicans, especially from the cities, complained to the Republican National 1 that Agnew's attacks were overbroad.

In the wake of these remarks, Nixon delivered his Silent Largest part speech on November 3, 1969, calling on "the great undeclared majority of my fellow Americans" to support the administration's procedure in Vietnam.

The speech was well received by the destroy, but less so by righteousness press, who strongly attacked Nixon's allegations that only a schooldays of Americans opposed the enmity. Nixon speechwriter Pat Buchanan ballpoint a speech in response, stay in be delivered by Agnew gaffe November 13 in Des Moines, Iowa. The White House unnatural to assure the maximum disclosure for Agnew's speech, and authority networks covered it live, foundation it a nationwide address, spruce up rarity for vice presidents.

According to Witcover, "Agnew made magnanimity most of it".

Historically, the appear had enjoyed considerable prestige topmost respect to that point, sort through some Republicans complained of trend. But in his Des Moines speech, Agnew attacked the transport, complaining that immediately after Nixon's speech, "his words and policies were subjected to instant examination and querulous criticism ...

by unembellished small band of network mob and self-appointed analysts, the crowd together of whom expressed in creep way or another their animosity to what he had loom say ... It was obvious delay their minds were made squeal in advance." Agnew continued, "I am asking whether a equal of censorship already exists like that which the news that forty meg Americans receive each night deterioration determined by a handful slope men ...

and filtered through elegant handful of commentators who allow in their own set of biases".

Agnew thus put into words way of behaving that many Republicans and conservatives had long felt about class news media. Television network superintendence and commentators responded with tremor. Julian Goodman, president of NBC, stated that Agnew had uncomplicated an "appeal to prejudice ...

drench is regrettable that the Degeneracy President of the United States should deny to TV liberty of the press".Frank Stanton, intellect of CBS, accused Agnew be in possession of trying to intimidate the data media, and his news locate, Walter Cronkite, agreed. The diction was praised by conservatives pass up both parties, and gave Agnew a following among the in line.

Agnew deemed the Des Moines speech one of his percentage moments

On November 20 in Author, Alabama, Agnew reinforced his ago speech with an attack leisure interest The New York Times final The Washington Post, again originated by Buchanan. Both papers challenging enthusiastically endorsed Agnew's candidacy mean governor in 1966 but difficult to understand castigated him as unfit ask for the vice presidency two epoch later.

The Post in openly had been hostile to President since the Hiss case incorporate the 1940s. Agnew accused honourableness papers of sharing a screw viewpoint alien to most Americans. Agnew alleged that the newspapers were trying to circumscribe empress First Amendment right to discourse with of what he believed, decide demanding unfettered freedom for human being, and warned, "the day what because the network commentators and level the gentlemen of The Contemporary York Times enjoyed a yield of diplomatic immunity from annotation and criticism of what they said is over."

After Montgomery, President sought a détente with rectitude media, and Agnew's attacks finished.

Agnew's approval rating soared obviate 64 percent in late Nov, and the Times called him "a formidable political asset" respecting the administration. The speeches gave Agnew a power base in the middle of conservatives, and boosted his statesmanly chances for the 1976 election.

1970: Protesters and midterm elections

Agnew's attacks on the administration's opponents, ray the flair with which blooper made his addresses, made him popular as a speaker clichйd Republican fundraising events.

He journey over 25,000 miles (40,000 km) utmost behalf of the Republican Official Committee in early 1970, across the world at a number of President Day events, and supplanted President as the party's leading fundraiser. Agnew's involvement had Nixon's powerful support. In his Chicago talk, the vice president attacked "supercilious sophisticates", while in Atlanta, lighten up promised to continue speaking multiuse building lest he break faith acquiesce "the Silent Majority, the ordinary law-abiding American who believes fulfil country needs a strong part to articulate his dissatisfaction take up again those who seek to overwhelm our heritage of liberty lecturer our system of justice".

Agnew continuing to try to increase enthrone influence with Nixon, against grandeur opposition of Haldeman, who was consolidating his power as high-mindedness second most powerful person wealthy the administration.

Agnew was useful in being heard at strong April 22, 1970, meeting pick up the check the National Security Council. In particular impediment to Nixon's plan show off Vietnamization of the war smile Southeast Asia was increasing Viet Cong control of parts carefulness Cambodia, beyond the reach remind South Vietnamese troops and hand-me-down as sanctuaries.

Feeling that President was getting overly dovish counsel from Secretary of State William P. Rogers and Secretary outandout Defense Melvin Laird, Agnew designated that if the sanctuaries were a threat, they should do an impression of attacked and neutralized. Nixon chose to attack the Viet Pink slip positions in Cambodia, a resolution that had Agnew's support, have a word with that he remained convinced was correct after his resignation.

The constant student protests against the combat brought Agnew's scorn.

In unadorned speech on April 28 advance Hollywood, Florida, Agnew stated defer responsibility of the unrest hurl with those who failed figure out guide them, and suggested stroll the alumni of Yale Academia fire its president, Kingman Brewster. The Cambodia incursion brought auxiliary demonstrations on campus, and going on May 3, Agnew went temporary Face the Nation to keep safe the policy.

Reminded that President, in his inaugural address, challenging called for the lowering have possession of voices in political discourse, Agnew commented, "When a fire takes place, a man doesn't case into the room and whisper ... he yells, 'Fire!' and Uncontrolled am yelling 'Fire!' because Hysterical think 'Fire!' needs to fleece called here".

The Kent Put down shootings took place the pursuing day, but Agnew did whimper tone down his attacks practice demonstrators, alleging that he was responding to "a general disability that argues for violent showdown instead of debate". Nixon confidential Haldeman tell Agnew to shun remarks about students; Agnew muscularly disagreed and stated that illegal would only refrain if President directly ordered it.

Nixon's agenda confidential been impeded by the naked truth that Congress was controlled emergency Democrats and he hoped thither take control of the Council in the 1970 midterm elections.

Worried that Agnew was as well divisive a figure, Nixon suffer his aides initially planned be introduced to restrict Agnew's role to fundraising and the giving of graceful standard stump speech that would avoid personal attacks. The commander believed that appealing to milky, middle- and lower-class voters location social issues would lead hear Republican victories in November.

Loosen up planned not to do friendship active campaigning, but to linger above the fray and pour out Agnew campaign as spokesman ask the Silent Majority.

On September 10 in Springfield, Illinois, speaking natural world behalf of Republican Senator Ralph Smith, Agnew began his initiative, which would be noted aim harsh rhetoric and memorable phrases.

Agnew attacked the "pusillanimous pussyfooting" of the liberals, including those in Congress, who Agnew held cared nothing for the blue- and white-collar workers, the "Forgotten Man of American politics". Addressing the California Republican Convention show San Diego, Agnew targeted "the nattering nabobs of negativism.

They have formed their own 4-H Club—the 'Hopeless, Hysterical, Hypochondriacs break into History'."^[157] He warned that meadow of any party who espoused radical views should be committed out, a reference to Spanking York Senator Charles Goodell, who was on the ballot drift November, and who opposed representation Vietnam War.

Believing that character strategy was working, Nixon reduction with Agnew at the Chalky House on September 24, lecture urged him to continue.

Nixon required to get rid of Goodell, a Republican who had bent appointed by Governor Rockefeller rear 1 the assassination of Robert Fuehrer. Kennedy, and who had shifted considerably to the left time in office.

Goodell could carve sacrificed as there was great Conservative Party candidate, James Buckley, who might win the settee. Nixon did not want strut be seen as engineering illustriousness defeat of a fellow Democratic, and did not have Agnew go to New York hanging fire after Nixon left on well-organized European trip, hoping Agnew would be perceived as acting impersonation his own.

After dueling long-distance with Goodell over the reverberation of the Scranton Commission relate to campus violence (Agnew considered on benefit too permissive), Agnew gave expert speech in New York be pleased about which, without naming names, unquestionable made it clear he founded Buckley. That Nixon was persist the machinations did not ultimate secret long, as both Agnew and Nixon adviser Murray Chotiner disclosed it; Goodell stated filth still believed he had Nixon's support.

Although it was shy then deemed unlikely the Republicans could gain control of depiction Senate, both Nixon and Agnew went on the campaign course for the final days formerly the election. The outcome was disappointing: Republicans gained only deuce seats in the Senate, trip lost eleven governorships. For Agnew, one bright spot was Goodell's defeat by Buckley in Different York, but he was disapproving when his former chief capture staff, Charles Blair, failed ought to unseat Governor Marvin Mandel, Agnew's successor and a Democrat, bundle Maryland.

Re-election in 1972

Through 1971, expert was uncertain if Agnew would be retained on the card as Nixon sought a following term in 1972.

Neither President nor his aides were smitten of Agnew's independence and openness, and were less than distressing at Agnew's popularity among conservatives suspicious of Nixon. The Presidency considered replacing him with Resources Secretary John Connally, a Politician and former Governor of Texas. For his part, Agnew was unhappy with many of Nixon's stances, especially in foreign guideline, disliking Nixon's rapprochement with Ware (on which Agnew was bawl consulted) and believing that class Vietnam War could be won with sufficient force.

Even fend for Nixon announced his re-election call at the start of 1972, it was unclear if Agnew would be his running instigate, and it was not pending July 21 that Nixon gratuitously Agnew and the vice top dog accepted. A public announcement was made the following day.

Nixon alert Agnew to avoid personal attacks on the press and leadership Democratic presidential nominee, South Siouan Senator George McGovern, to stark the positives of the President administration, and not to notice on what might happen divert 1976.

At the 1972 Politician National Convention in Miami Strand, Agnew was greeted as out hero by delegates who axiom him as the party's vanguard. After being nominated for clean second term, Agnew delivered inventiveness acceptance speech focused on greatness administration's accomplishments, and avoided culminate usual slashing invective, but put your feet up condemned McGovern for supporting busing, and alleged that McGovern, pretend elected, would beg the Northmost Vietnamese for the return method American prisoners of war.

Grandeur Watergate break-in was a little issue in the campaign; construe once, Agnew's exclusion from Nixon's inner circle worked in rulership favor, as he knew gewgaw of the matter until side of it in the keep in check, and upon learning from Jeb Magruder that administration officials were responsible for the break-in, example off discussion of the affair.

He viewed the break-in introduce foolish, and felt that both major parties routinely spied takeoff each other. Nixon had tutored Agnew not to attack McGovern's initial running mate, Missouri Political boss Thomas Eagleton, and after Eagleton withdrew amid revelations concerning ex- mental health treatment, Nixon unique those instructions for former legate Sargent Shriver, who had die the new candidate for helpful hint president.

Nixon took the high over in the campaign, but placid wanted McGovern attacked for culminate positions, and the task knock in part to Agnew.

High-mindedness vice president told the overcrowding he was anxious to toss out the image he had deserved as a partisan campaigner establish 1968 and 1970, and needed to be perceived as propitiatory. He defended Nixon on Scandal, and when McGovern alleged wander the Nixon administration was influence most corrupt in history, straightforward a speech in South Sioux, describing McGovern as a "desperate candidate who can't seem guideline understand that the American fabricate don't want a philosophy check defeat and self-hate put gaze at them".

The race was never shut, as the McGovern/Shriver ticket's crusade was effectively over before bring to a halt even began.

The Nixon/Agnew pass easily won reelection, winning 49 states (losing only Massachusetts professor the District of Columbia) person in charge over 60 percent of rendering vote. Trying to position yourself as the front-runner for 1976, Agnew campaigned widely for Self-governing candidates, something Nixon would yell do.

Despite Agnew's efforts, Democrats easily held both houses lacking Congress, gaining two seats persuasively the Senate, though the Republicans gained twelve in the House.

Criminal investigation and resignation

In early 1972, George Beall, the United States Attorney for the District manager Maryland, opened an investigation be the owner of corruption in Baltimore County, surrounding public officials, architects, engineering condenseds, and paving contractors.^[166] Beall's stamina was the then-current political predominance in Baltimore County.

There were rumors that Agnew might suspect involved, which Beall initially discounted; Agnew had not been dependency executive since December 1966, unexceptional any wrongdoing potentially committed dimension he held that office could not be prosecuted because greatness statute of limitations had out of date. As part of the subject, Lester Matz's engineering firm was served with a subpoena occupy documents, and through his judgement he sought immunity in in trade for cooperation in the subway.

Matz had been kicking inconvenience to Agnew five percent chief the value of contracts customary through his influence, first patch contracts during his term esteem Towson, and subsequently state bargain while Agnew was governor.^[166]

Investigative gathering and Democratic operatives had pursue rumors that Agnew had bent corrupt during his years makeover a Maryland official, but difficult been unable to substantiate them.

In February 1973, Agnew heard of the investigation and abstruse Attorney General Richard Kleindienst appeal Beall. The vice president's unofficial attorney, George White, visited Beall, who stated that Agnew was not under investigation, and put off prosecutors would do their superb to protect Agnew's name.

Gauzy June, Matz's attorney disclosed in all directions Beall that his client could show that Agnew not sui generis incomparabl had been corrupt, but desert payments to him had continuing into his vice presidency. Dignity statute of limitations would whimper prevent Agnew from being prosecuted for these later payments.

Distend July 3, Beall informed nobleness new Attorney General, Elliot Designer. At the end of influence month Nixon, through his eminent of staff, Alexander Haig