Nixon's achievements include establishing relations with Russia and China and getting us out of Nam.
Compare the value of those to our country in light of the cost of his "abuse" of power during Watergate.
How would Nixon rate as a president if it had not been for Watergate?
2007-07-03 08:30:19 · 11 answers · asked by tip zz 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Politics
Nixon kept us in Vietnam four years longer than necessary, and left on almost exactly the same terms we were offered in 1968. To me that is a crime worse than Watergate.
2007-07-03 08:33:25 · answer #1 · answered by rollo_tomassi423 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Nixon's achievements are innumerable
"Nixon moved significantly left on a number of public policy issues, creating the Environmental Protection Agency and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, instituting racial quotas and preferences through the Labor Department's "Philadelphia Plan," and supporting the National Endowment for the Arts. He also developed a policy toward Native Americans that is still in place today, proposed a Family Assistance Program to provide a guaranteed income to welfare recipients, and, after the 1972 election, implemented wage and price controls. Finally, Nixon cut a deal with House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Wilbur Mills to increase Social Security payments and index them to inflation, which Barone called a "tremendous piece of public policy" that lifted elderly people out of poverty. Unfortunately, Barone added, it also contributed significantly to the budget deficits of the 1980s."
2007-07-03 15:40:04 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Stunning.
He got caught doing something that had been done by virtually every President before him.
President Clinton had the same problem. The degree of infidelity in the White House was amazing! Celebrity makes temptation a daily thing (would that I had had such temptations as a teenager! On second thought, no... .")
His international policies and actions were amazingly astute, his cabinet rocked.
He did one other thing he gets no credit for: Instead of fighting it, allowing President to be impeached, he resigned, saving us that shame.
President Clinton learned what happens to someone who does that, the awful ways they ignore everything the person ever did historically. I don't blame him for resigning.
The flaw is the way we treat our Presidents, the way we tolerate sedition, name calling, etc.
I will always remember Nixon's efforts as our President fondly and with respect, while ultimately agreeing with the ending of the practices he was threatened with impeachment for. Our Presidents deserve at least the respect, even when we protest against their choices.
I am a patriot, first, a democrat, second.
2007-07-03 15:38:29 · answer #3 · answered by mckenziecalhoun 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
tip zz,
I was a young person when Mr. Nixon got elected. Those were some enlightened years and a lot of good things happened. To this day, I don't understand why a potentially great presidency was ruined over what other politicians do routinely.
He just didn't play his cards right I guess. Perhaps he was too far ahead of his time.
2007-07-03 15:36:44 · answer #4 · answered by elden w 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nixon would have been a decent president. He only established relationship with China. We had been talking to Russia all along. But his shortcomings that led to Watergate (abuse of power, wiretapping, illegal activities, recording meetings in his office) would have manifested themselves in other ways and he likely would not have been judged too well.
2007-07-03 15:33:17 · answer #5 · answered by Big Momma Carnivore 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I think that history will look upon Nixon with a better opinion.
He lacked personal charisma and looked like a shady character, but he did some very good things for the country and the world.
Watergate seems so trifling these days.
2007-07-03 15:34:32 · answer #6 · answered by Sean 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Nixon was a good president in spite of Watergate.
Vince
2007-07-03 15:33:28 · answer #7 · answered by vinny_says_relax 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
He signed OSHA & the EPA into law. He also signed Revenue Sharing and put a big dent in Heroin use in America by buying overseas poppy crops and destroying them. He should get more credit than he does. He looks pretty good compared to our current President.
2007-07-03 15:40:57 · answer #8 · answered by Safe At Home 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He was a Great President, he was vilified, yet Watergate
incident did not compare to what , the Clinton's did by stealing
Republicans Computers and doing the same.
2007-07-03 15:36:04 · answer #9 · answered by Dr Doom 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The EPA was established, but all the good does not cancel the evil corruption.
2007-07-03 15:35:39 · answer #10 · answered by Global warming ain't cool 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋