In this thesis the election campaign of the 37th President of the United States Richard Milhous Nixon 1968 is examined. Nixon’s election campaign was successful and is therefore relevant to analyze.
At first, the significant background story of Nixon’s political career is presented including the main players. This is followed by the answering, why his campaign to the 37th nominee of the United States president was effective and how the marketing strategies worked efficiently. In detail, it is examined whether some parts of the campaigns were successful and which statements he held wrongly. In the final stage of this thesis, a conclusion of Nixon’s fight for the presidency is drawn.
Table of contents
1 Abstract
2 Relevant History
3 Marketing Campaign Strategies
4 Catchpenny promises
5 Resume
6 Sources
Objectives and Topics
This paper examines the successful election campaign of Richard M. Nixon in 1968, analyzing the strategic effectiveness of his political marketing, his handling of foreign versus domestic policy issues, and the impact of specific campaign tactics such as the "Southern Strategy" on his eventual victory.
- The evolution of Nixon’s political career and background
- Strategic campaign operations and communication methods
- The dichotomy between foreign policy and domestic political issues
- Implementation and impact of the "Southern Strategy"
- Critical analysis of campaign promises and expenditure
Excerpt from the book
New ideas and the “Southern Strategy”
One month later (July 1968), Nixon coordinated his advertising team to prepare campaigns for the General Elections. His major advantage was the usage of advertising film material featuring discussions and question-to-answer talks. Fortunately, the Democratic Party have not had nominated a candidate to promote yet, therefore Nixon was the first who was able to reach the masses before General Elections. Especially his advertising team focused on the Swing States, instancing Illinois, Michigan and Ohio, which normally are not of a clear preferred party. In addition, he concentrated on the seven big States including California, New York, Pennsylvania and Texas as well. Nixon’s strategy within these States was mainly the covering of issues on crime and complaint. Moreover he changed his known opinion towards the Vietnam Crisis and to create a voluntary army service.
A significant step towards the nomination and the further success of Richard M. Nixon was his so-called “Southern Strategy”. It covered the attitudes to strengthen the political support for the Republicans by tempting to disaffect Democratic Voters. Nixon focused on the attraction of conservative voters who might have vote for the contrary.
Summary of Chapters
1 Abstract: Provides an overview of the thesis, which analyzes Richard M. Nixon’s 1968 presidential campaign, exploring his marketing strategies and the factors that contributed to his victory.
2 Relevant History: Outlines Nixon’s early political career, his experiences in the Senate and as Vice President, and his political comeback following previous electoral defeats.
3 Marketing Campaign Strategies: Details the operational aspects of the 1968 campaign, focusing on the team’s advertising efforts, the balance of foreign and domestic issues, and the implementation of the "Southern Strategy."
4 Catchpenny promises: Critically evaluates Nixon’s campaign rhetoric, specifically addressing unfulfilled promises regarding education and the management of government spending versus social needs.
5 Resume: Concludes the analysis by summarizing how Nixon’s determination and strategic adaptability allowed him to overcome Democratic opposition and secure the presidency.
6 Sources: Lists the academic, political, and historical references used throughout the seminar paper.
Keywords
Richard M. Nixon, 1968 Election, Presidential Campaign, Marketing Strategy, Southern Strategy, Vietnam War, Domestic Policy, Republican Party, Political Communication, Electoral College, Swing States, Campaign Finance, Foreign Policy, Democratic Party, Voter Psychology
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fundamental subject of this paper?
The paper fundamentally explores the 1968 presidential election campaign of Richard M. Nixon, focusing on the strategies that led to his successful bid for the presidency.
What are the central thematic fields covered in the work?
The central themes include political marketing, campaign organization, the conflict between foreign and domestic policy priorities, and the use of strategic voter outreach like the "Southern Strategy."
What is the primary research goal of this thesis?
The goal is to determine why Nixon’s campaign was effective in 1968, how his marketing strategies influenced the outcome, and to critically examine if his campaign promises were realistic.
Which scientific methods are employed in this analysis?
The work employs a historical and political analysis method, drawing upon election results, campaign data, and retrospective literature to evaluate political strategy.
What core topics are addressed in the main body of the work?
The main body examines Nixon's background, his specific campaign strategies in key swing states, the management of controversial issues like the Vietnam War, and a critical look at his fiscal and social policy promises.
Which keywords best characterize the work?
Key terms include Richard M. Nixon, 1968 Election, Political Marketing, Southern Strategy, and Electoral Campaign.
How did Nixon use the "Southern Strategy" to gain an advantage?
The "Southern Strategy" was used to strengthen Republican support by specifically targeting and attracting conservative voters who had previously supported the Democratic Party, particularly in states where local and racial issues were prominent.
How does the author evaluate the impact of Nixon’s advertising campaigns?
The author highlights that Nixon gained a significant early advantage by utilizing television commercials and advertising films before the Democratic Party had finalized their candidate, allowing him to define his message to the masses early on.
- Quote paper
- Jaby Felix Coronel (Author), 2016, The Election Campaign of Richard M. Nixon, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/904826
