400
pages, Free Press, ISBN-13: 978-0684832463
Kennedy &
Nixon: The Rivalry That Shaped Postwar America by MSNBC host and news columnist
Christopher Matthews tells a story of personal friendship souring under
political differences and career paths as these cordial political colleagues both
opposed what they saw as Yalta’s squandered victory after World War II and
fought Communist insurgency and infiltration domestically and internationally.
Matthews meticulous research and breezy storytelling style creates a
psychological/historical drama mixed with Shakespearean tragedy and some
hilarious, touching anecdotes as he traces their roles in the era’s major
events, all played against a Cold War backdrop: tacit support for Joe McCarthy’s
investigations; distrust of Alger Hiss as Nixon prosecuted him; 1952’s infamous
“Checkers” speech preserving Nixon’s vice-presidential candidacy, even as
President Dwight Eisenhower coldly minimizes Nixon’s accomplishments and even
attempts to remove him.
As
the book progresses, Matthews reveals the start of Nixon’s legendary personal
distrust, hinted when vanquished Congressional opponent Helen Douglas branded
him “Tricky Dick”. Here Matthews also introduces characters (Archibald Cox,
Charles Colson, Larry O’Brien) who became household names less than 15 years
later as henchmen for or targets of Nixon’s need to retain power. You also see
the slow roots of America’s painful Vietnam involvement, and how it helped fuel
Nixon's 1968 comeback victory. Through it ass Nixon battles first the
ambitions, and then later the “Camelot” mythology, of John F. Kennedy. Nixon is
then shadowed throughout his political life by memories of the slain president,
first by brother Robert (a likely 1968 candidate before his assassination) and
finally youngest brother Edward Kennedy.
The
core of the book, however, is dedicated to 1960 presidential election and TV’s
major role in its presentation and outcome. Matthews meticulously retells 1960 “Great
Debate” and how Nixon’s TV image (which, compared to Kennedy’s carefully
crafted public persona and what Nixon saw as creative counting) painfully cost
him that election. But recounting private taped and untaped conversations, you
sense both men’s anger and frustration against enemies foreign (Kennedy’s Bay
of Pigs and the assassination of South Vietnam president Ngo Dihn Diem) and
domestic (Nixon’s Saturday Night Massacre and his palpable need to discredit
Ted Kennedy even after the 1969 Chappaquiddick tragedy ended any hopes for his
presidential run).
Matthews
effectively argues Ted Kennedy’s threat as fueling Nixon’s self-destruction,
but adds that Nixon’s suspicions were justified. From being used by Kennedy’s
wealthy father as pawn for President-elect Kennedy before the inauguration, to
investigated for loans given Nixon’s brother Donald (for “Nixonburgers”), to
Ted Kennedy’s role in prosecuting Watergate, Nixon felt constantly chased by
Kennedy legacy and perceptions he only held space until another Kennedy “Restoration”
and couldn’t compete with Kennedy’s carefully written legacy. This leads to
several bitter but even hilarious anecdotes (the ones about the phony train
conductor, the pregnant woman, and the beach photo opportunity being three
favorites).
Even
in Nixon’s declining, post-retirement years, his foreign policy expertise was respected
and sought after by occupants of the Oval Office of both parties, and in more
recent years his presidency has been re-examined. All-in-all, one cannot help
but sympathize with self-made Nixon who does nothing to besmirch the political
fortunes of his Presidential rival, whereas the rich kid Kennedy engages is a
whole array of ruthless buyouts, cheap tricks and petty jabs to secure his ill-gotten
throne and destroy his old nemesis. An
excellent good book for a serious reader interested in the history of this
nation and the art of statecraft.
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