Just Plain Dick: Richard Nixon’s Checkers Speech and the “Rocking, Socking” Election of 1952

by Kevin Mattson

It all started with some businessmen bankrolling Richard Nixon to become a "salesman against socialization." But in this precursor to current campaign finance scandals, Nixon had some explaining to do to keep his place on Eisenhower's Republican ticket, so he took to the airwavess. In making his speech, Nixon left behind lines about a "Republican cloth coat" and a black and white cocker spaniel named "Checkers." The speech saved and bolstered Nixon's political career and set the tone for the 1952 campaign.

Just Plain Dick is political history and more. It's the story of a young man nearing a nervous breakdown and staging a political comeback. While the narrative focuses tightly, almost cinematically, on the 1952 election cycle-from the spring primary season to the summer conventions, and then to the allegations against Nixon through to the speech in September and finally the election in November-Mattson also provides a broad-stroke depiction of American politics and culture during the Cold War.

With publication scheduled during the 2012 election season, readers will see Nixon's contribution to current campaign styles. Here is a story of phony populism, a hatred of elites (tagged "eggheads" back then), and emotionally charged appeals erasing a rational assessment of a politician's qualifications. An entertaining and suspenseful read, Just Plain Dick is ideal election context for political junkies and those fascinated with 1950s America.

Genres: Presidents, History, Politics, Nonfiction

272 pages, Hardcover

First published September 18, 2012

About the author

Dr. Kevin Mattson is a historian, critic, and author whose work focuses on the intersection of ideas and politics in the twentieth century. Currently, he is Professor of Contemporary History at Ohio University, where he teaches about U.S. cultural and intellectual history and popular culture.

Mattson's work has appeared in the American Prospect, the Nation, the New York Times Book Review, Salon, and the Guardian. He has also appeared on NPR, Fox News, C-SPAN, and the Colbert Report.

Reviews

[Lee]

Interesting look at the 1952 election. The book touches on some topics that evoke today's politics, the role of television in elections, a Nixonian candidate fuming at the media and claiming that he represents the forgotten man, Russian interference in American politics. Mattson tries too hard to tie it all together, and after the discussion of the main event, Nixon's Checkers speech, the Nixon express loses steam. Still, worth a read.

[Maggi Smith-Dalton]

Excellent, thought-provoking, and intelligent.

[Kate Kuisel]

that tricky dick

[Mary Tarro]

Good connection of perpetual and persistent political machinations. Good narration.

[John Schachter]

Decent book about Nixon but nothing special

I have a fascination with Richard Nixon, so it's hard to find a book about him that I don't like. This one focuses largely around Nixon's so called Checkers speech. It has a little leading up to his selection as Eisenhower's running mate, and covers the unfolding scandal and TV speech. Then it wraps up the rest of the winning campaign. It's a fascinating story about a fascinating person told interestingly enough. If the topic interest to you you should appreciate and like the book. But I would recommend a lengthier bio of Nixon in its entirety.

[False]

An amusing book, and insightful. I wasn't as thoroughly versed in the 1952 election as I thought I was. For a California Quaker, Nixon was a real street thug. Ambitious hardly covers it. A good read.

[Scott]

An interesting read about the presidential election of 1952 and Nixon's famous Checkers Speech.

[Joseph Mckenna]

A great view of the 1952 campaign that puts you on the inside of both campaign trails. Rocking, socking, fun quick read.