Richard Nixon and the quest for a new majority / Robert Mason.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Mason, Robert, 1970-

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Nixon, Richard M. (Richard Milhous), 1913-1994.

Republican Party (U.S. : 1854- ).

History.

Political and social views.

United States--Politics and government--1969-1974.

United States.

Politics and government.

Nixon, Richard M. (Richard Milhous), 1913-1994--Political and social views.

Nixon, Richard M.

Conservatism--United States--History--20th century.

Conservatism.

Republican Party (U.S. : 1854- )--History--20th century.

Physical Description:

289 pages ; 25 cm

Place of Publication:

Chapel Hill : University of North Carolina Press, [2004]

Summary:

In recent years historians have paid substantial attention to the origins of modern political conservatism and the record of the Nixon administration in building a Republican majority in the late twentieth century. In Richard Nixon and the Quest for a New Majority, Robert Mason analyzes Nixon's response to the developing conservative climate and challenges revisionist claims about the activist nature of the Nixon administration. Mason argues that Nixon's efforts to mobilize voters in support of conservative politics and initiate a Republican era of electoral hegemony were thoughtful but flawed. As president, Nixon was uniquely placed to craft a response to liberal malaise at the end of the 1960s and exploit this potential opportunity for a realignment of American politics. His "silent majority" speech of 1969 not only undermined the growth of the antiwar movement, Mason shows, but also identified a constituency for Nixon to cultivate in order to secure reelection. However, the implementation of this new-majority project was hindered by the resort to dirty tricks against political opponents and the ineffectual pursuit of its policy agenda. Although some Nixon initiatives were enacted, says Mason, they were not substantial enough to rival the Democratic bread-and-butter issues. Mason contends that Nixon was an activist in intent but not in deed. While he built Republican strength at the presidential level, Mason argues, Nixon did not succeed in mobilizing popular support for political conservatism in general.

Contents:

1 The Forgotten Americans: The Republican Quest for a Majority in the 1960s 5

2 Middle America and the Silent Majority: Issues, 1969-1970 37

3 There's a Realignment Going on: The Redefinition of the Republican Party, 1970 77

4 The New American Revolution: Issues, 1970-1972 113

5 President Nixon for President: The Rejection of the Republican Party, 1972 161

6 From Nixon to Reagan: The End of the Quest for a New Majority, 1972-1976 192.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages [267]-280) and index.

ISBN:

0807829056

OCLC:

55085685