Remembering 1968: The return of Richard Nixon

Richard Schlesinger looks back at the hard-fought race for the presidency in the turbulent year of 1968, when President Johnson withdrew from seeking re-election, and Richard Nixon – following losses in runs for the White House and the California Governor's Mansion – won the Republican presidential nomination and, ultimately, the presidency. Richard Schlesinger talks with biographer Evan Thomas, Nixon aide Dwight Chapin and speechwriter Pat Buchanan, and with then-Senator Walter Mondale, about the unpredictable contest between a law-and-order candidate hoping to shed his image as a "loser," and a sitting vice president breaking from his own administration to vow an end to the bombing of North Vietnam.

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[MrThermostatic]

The fact that I haven't seen Mondale in 30 years and seeing him now, is a real reminder how much time has passed. Feels like I just traveled into the future.

[curtcoltharp]

Bobby Kennedy was assassinated during the primaries and that probably helped Nixon’s chances.

[danawe-os]

At least Nixon actually accomplished a lot. Clean air, clean water acts. Formed Environmental Protection Agency, started dialog with China, got us out of Vietnam, established OSHA. Sometimes I think an immoral man who accomplishes good is better than a saint who does nothing.

[altfactor]

Had Watergate never happened, President Nixon might today be regarded as one of the five greatest Presidents in American history.

[clintn.kildepstein]

“Richard Nixon back again”

If u know, u know

[DakotaLamb]

How could you make this piece without mentioning Bobby Kennedy?

[richardzhang]

Watergate: I'm about to end this man's

[andersonm-music]

Love him or hate him, Nixon was a fascinating man.

[Srinidhi]

He was humiliated by very close shave defeat by Kennedy inspite of working so hard to campaign in 1960 and being the Vice President for 2 terms with a successful President.

Most would give up, but Nixon didn't. He came back and won two straight terms

Never lose hope, people. Stay strong like Nixon.

[nl]

the parallels between the 1968 and 2024 elections are amazing: a somewhat flawed gop candidate whose political career was thought to be over after losing a previous election ends up becoming president, an elderly democratic party president deciding not to seek re-election, the democratic convention being held in chicago, the democratic party being split between the centrists and the left over unpopular military actions overseas, protests by students in university campuses, rfk running for president in 1968 and his son doing the same in 2024.

[robertfishman]

Hubert Humphrey was the Joe Biden of his time - both men saw their party’s Presidential nomination as being their turn at bat, as the brass ring for a lifetime of party service.

[frankcross]

2nd greatest political comeback in us history

[mikebtrfld]

1968 I was a senior in high school. I was made to register for the draft at my school...

[jamescashion]

His accomplishments while in office included revenue sharing, the end of the draft, new anticrime laws, and a broad environmental program. As he had promised, he appointed Justices of conservative philosophy to the Supreme Court. One of the most dramatic events of his first term occurred in 1969, when American astronauts made the first moon landing.

[daveln]

I was born on November 6, 1968. The doctor told my parents, its a boy! While Walter Cronkite was telling America that Richard Nixon would be the 37th President

[orjihvy]

This was really interesting. Hope to see more like this, historical summary.

[vincentvr]

1968: I'm bad

2020: Oh hi what you talkin about

[JagerLange]

I don't know why my Recommendeds are getting this series of videos now of all times (rather than, say, a month ago) - but I've enjoyed all of them when they came up.

[johnherlihy]

I lived through this in 1968 as a 14 year old in the Boston area (Belmont). I had a history teacher who predicted that Humphrey would win, even though I knew Nixon was going to win. As a 14-year old, I was too afraid to stand up to a liberal teacher. I definitely see parallels today with President Trump! He is very Nixonian!

[christineayres]

Nixon reelected in the Year 3000 too lol 😂 anyone who's seen Futurama will get the joke.