JFK+50: Volume 5, No. 1765
NIXON ELECTED PRESIDENT 47 YEARS AGO TODAYWashington, D.C. (JFK+50) In November 1960, Vice-President Richard M. Nixon lost his bid for the Presidency of the United States in a narrow election defeat to Senator John F. Kennedy of Massachusetts. Two years later he lost the California governorship and told the press, "Just think, you won't have Nixon to kick around anymore."
Mr. Nixon, however, turned his fortunes around forty-seven years ago today, November 5, 1968 by defeating Senator Hubert H. Humphrey and Governor George C. Wallace to become the 37th President of the United States.
The final electoral vote was Nixon 301, Humphrey 191, Wallace 46.
The 1968 presidential election, however, was one of the most divisive campaigns in United States history. In March, President Lyndon B. Johnson, beleaguered with criticism of his policies in Vietnam, announced he "would not seek and would not accept the nomination of my party for another term as...president." In June, Senator Robert F. Kennedy, having won the California Democratic Primary, was shot and killed.
Nixon, along with running-made Spiro T. Agnew, was sworn in on January 20, 1969.
In a statement made to his supporters, Mr. Nixon said:
"I have received a very gracious message from the Vice-President congratulating me for winning the election. I congratulated him for his gallant & courageous fight against great odds. I also told him that I know exactly how he felt. I know how it feels to lose a close one."
