What was Nixon's first term and a half (1969-mid1973)?

[LBJ Revivalist]

I mean in terms of a liberal presidency, a conservative presidency, or in between--What can the political environment, both on the GOP and Dem side, as well as in the Nixon administration itself be described as? I'm talking before Watergate exploded. Was Nixon practicing an early form of Reagan conservatism or was he a New Dealer, supportive of social democracy?

I ask because the whole ''will Obama's failure mean the end of American social democracy" led me to wonder about the political environment, spirit and atmosphere from the early 60s-late 70s--Cn anyone tell me what the whole political environment there was, from Kennedy to Carter? How did it change and evolve?

[Landslide Lyndon]

As a matter of fact, conservatives were rather displeased with Nixon.
Sure, he had to deal with a heavily Democratic congress but he seemed more than willing to promote liberal policies ("Now I'm a Keynesian").

[J. J.]

Even compared with Obama, Nixon and Ford would both be considered RINO's.

[CARLHAYDEN]

A disaster.

Nixon told Rino Sen.Hugh Scott (of Pennsylvania) to' watch what he did not what he said.'

Nixon suffered from a severe inferiority complex and constantly implemented liberal programs to try to appease the liberal establishment (which he verbally attacked).

[useful idiot]

Nixon is a guy I've always struggled with. If a few of his personal characteristics were taken out of the mix I could definitely see him as a good president, and someone I'd like. Hell, I even kind of like him anyway. But the truth of the matter is, without that insecurity and the nastier side of his personality, he probably wouldn't have ever gotten in the position to become president. I may dislike his racism, corruption, and his policies in Indochina, but a lot of his foreign policy was worthwhile and his domestic policies were pretty damn progressive compared to Clinton or Obama.

[Bo]

Nixon would probably be described as a really liberal/Rockefeller Republican today. He supported the New Deal and LBJ's social programs, and he also opposed trickle-down economics (he supported very high taxes on the rich). Nixon was also pro-environment (the EPA was created under his watch) and he also attempted to implement universal healthcare in the U.S., something that no Republican President in the U.S. has attempted (or even supported) since. In terms of foreign policy, Nixon continued LBJ's policy of containment and also pursued a policy of detente with the USSR and China in an attempt to improve American relations with those two countries. Nixon even supported higher taxes on the rich than Obama supports (Nixon 70-77%, Obama 39.6%).

[Psychic Octopus]

Yeah, Nixon certainly had character and I admire him on a lot of things, as a man who worked hard for where he got, you've got to admire that, and that probably influenced him on some issues. I wouldn't say that he supported LBJ's social programs but he certainly was a moderate on it compared to his party. His foreign policy was nothing short of brilliant, as said before. Civil rights were a disappointment, but at least he supported equal rights, beneath his obvious prejudice. (He argued for civil rights with his southern classmates at Duke).

On issues such as Watergate, he morally failed, and tried to cover it all up, which I can't really forgive him for. But, to be honest, he was human. If any of us were in his place, we'd probably do the same thing he did in his predicament. Still, he lied, and that's bad, after you look at the brilliant career that was before him. He threw it all away, and there is no doubt in my mind that if the scandal didn't occur, Republicans would campaign on their "hero", Dick Nixon, and not Ronald Reagan, who would never become President.

[Franzl]

Nixon is quite interesting...in many respects a good president, but in other far more important respects, a corrupt and crazy war criminal.

And Watergate doesn't affect my opinion much.

[Psychic Octopus]

Nixon is quite interesting...in many respects a good president, but in other far more important respects, a corrupt and crazy war criminal.

And Watergate doesn't affect my opinion much.

Yeah... Indochina was certainly a dumb move. Nixon is one of my favorite figures to study; His memoirs are quite fascinating.