06

RichardM.Nixon:"Checkers"

"...thekids,likeallkids,lovethedog,and...regardlessofwhattheysayaboutit,we''regonnakeepit."

delivered23September1952

MyFellowAmericans,

IcomebeforeyoutonightasacandidatefortheVicePresidencyandasamanwhosehonestyandintegrityhasbeenquestioned.

Now,theusualpoliticalthingtodowhenchargesaremadeagainstyouistoeitherignorethemortodenythemwithoutgivingdetails.Ibelievewe''vehadenoughofthatintheUnitedStates,particularlywiththepresentAdministrationinWashington,D.C.?TometheofficeoftheVicePresidencyoftheUnitedStatesisagreatoffice,andIfeelthatthepeoplehavegottohaveconfidenceintheintegrityofthemenwhorunforthatofficeandwhomightobtainit.

Ihaveatheory,too,thatthebestandonlyanswertoasmearortoanhonestmisunderstandingofthefactsistotellthetruth.Andthat''swhyIamheretonight.Iwanttotellyoumysideofthecase.I''msurethatyouhavereadthecharge,andyou''veheardit,thatI,SenatorNixon,took$18,000fromagroupofmysupporters.

Now,wasthatwrong?Andletmesaythatitwaswrong.Iamsayingit,incidentally,thatitwaswrong,justnotillegal,becauseitisn''taquestionofwhetheritwaslegalorillegal,thatisn''tenough.Thequestionis,wasitmorallywrong?Isaythatitwasmorallywrong--ifanyofthat$18,000wenttoSenatorNixon,formypersonaluse.Isaythatitwasmorallywrongifitwassecretlygiven,andsecretlyhandled.AndIsaythatitwasmorallywrongifanyofthecontributorsgotspecialfavorsforthecontributionsthattheymade.

Andnowtoanswerthosequestionsletmesaythis:notonecentofthe$18,000oranyothermoneyofthattypeeverwenttomeformypersonaluse.EverypennyofitwasusedtopayforpoliticalexpensesthatIdidnotthinkshouldbechargedtothetaxpayersoftheUnitedStates.?Itwasnotasecretfund.Asamatterof?fact,whenIwason"MeetthePress"--someofyoumayhaveseenitlastSunday--PeterEdsoncameuptomeaftertheprogram,andhesaid,"Dick,whataboutisfundwehearabout?"AndIsaid,"Well,thereisnosecretaboutit.GooutandseeDanaSmithwhowastheadministratorofthefund."AndIgavehim[Edson]his[Smith''s]address.AndIsaidyouwillfindthatthepurposeofthefundsimplywastodefraypoliticalexpensesthatIdidnotfeelshouldbechargedtotheGovernment.Andthird,letmepointout--andIwanttomakethisparticularlyclear--thatnocontributortothisfund,nocontributortoanyofmycampaigns,haseverreceivedanyconsiderationthathewouldnothavereceivedasanordinaryconstituent.

Ijustdon''tbelieveinthat,andIcansaythatnever,whileIhavebeenintheSenateoftheUnitedStates,asfarasthepeoplethatcontributedtothisfundareconcerned,haveImadeatelephonecallforthemtoanagency,orhaveIgonedowntoanagencyontheirbehalf.Andtherecordswillshowthat,therecordswhichareinthehandsoftheadministration.

Well,then,someofyouwillsay,andrightly,"Well,whatdidyouusethefundfor,Senator?Whydidyouhavetohaveit?"LetmetellyouinjustawordhowaSenateofficeoperates.Firstofall,aSenatorgets$15,000ayearinsalary.Hegetsenoughmoneytopayforonetripayear,aroundtrip,thatis,forhimself,andhisfamilybetweenhishomeandWashington,D.C.Andthenhegetsanallowancetohandlethepeoplethatworkinhisofficetohandlehismail.AndtheallowanceformyStateofCalifornia,isenoughtohire13people.Andletmesay,incidentally,thatthatallowanceisnotpaidtotheSenator.ItispaiddirectlytotheindividualsthattheSenatorputsonhispayroll.Butallofthesepeopleandalloftheseallowancesareforstrictlyofficialbusiness;business,forexample,whenaconstituentwritesinandwantsyoutogodowntotheVeteran''sAdministrationandgetsomeinformationabouthisGIpolicy--itemsofthattype,forexample.ButthereareotherexpensesthatarenotcoveredbytheGovernment.AndIthinkIcanbestdiscussthoseexpensesbyaskingyousomequestions.

DoyouthinkthatwhenIoranyothersenatormakesapoliticalspeech,hasitprinted,shouldchargetheprintingofthatspeechandthemailingofthatspeechtothetaxpayers?Doyouthink,forexample,whenIoranyotherSenatormakesatriptohishomeStatetomakeapurelypoliticalspeechthatthecostofthattripshouldbechargedtothetaxpayers?DoyouthinkwhenaSenatormakespoliticalbroadcastsorpoliticaltelevisionbroadcasts,radioortelevision,thattheexpenseofthosebroadcastsshouldbechargedtothetaxpayers?WellIknowwhatyouransweris.It''sthesameanswerthataudiencesgivemewheneverIdiscussthisparticularproblem:Theanswerisno.Thetaxpayersshouldn''tberequiredtofinanceitemswhicharenotofficialbusinessbutwhichareprimarilypoliticalbusiness.

Well,thenthequestionarises,yousay,"Well,howdoyoupayfortheseandhowcanyoudoitlegally?"Andthereareseveralwaysthatitcanbedone,incidentally,anditisdonelegallyintheUnitedStatesSenateandintheCongress.Thefirstwayistobearichman.Idon''thappentobearichman,soIcouldn''tusethatone.Anotherwaythatisusedistoputyourwifeonthepayroll.Letmesay,incidentally,thatmyopponent,myoppositenumberfortheVicePresidencyontheDemocraticticket,doeshavehiswifeonthepayrollandhashadheronhispayrollforthepasttenyears.Nowletmejustsaythis:That''hisbusiness,andI''mnotcriticalofhimfordoingthat.Youwillhavetopassjudgmentonthatparticularpoint.

ButIhaveneverdonethatforthisreason:IhavefoundthattherearesomanydeservingstenographersandsecretariesinWashingtonthatneededtheworkthatIjustdidn''tfeelitwasrighttoputmywifeonthepayroll.Mywife''ssittingoverhere.Sheisawonderfulstenographer.Sheusedtoteachstenographyandsheusedtoteachshorthandinhighschool.ThatwaswhenImether.AndIcantellyoufolksthatshe''sworkedmanyhoursatnightandmanyhoursonSaturdaysandSundaysinmyoffice,andshe''sdoneafinejob,andIamproudtosaytonightthatinthesixyearsIhavebeenintheHouseandtheSenateoftheUnitedStates,PatNixonhasneverbeenontheGovernmentpayroll.

Whatareotherwaysthatthesefinancescanbetakencareof?Somewhoarelawyers,andIhappentobealawyer,continuetopracticelaw,butIhaven''tbeenabletodothat.IamsofarawayfromCaliforniathatIhavebeensobusywithmysenatorialworkthatIhavenotengagedinanylegalpractice,and,also,asfaraslawpracticeisconcerned,itseemedtomethattherelationshipbetweenanattorneyandtheclientwassopersonalthatyoucouldn''tpossiblyrepresentamanasanattorneyandthenhaveanunbiasedviewwhenhepresentedhiscasetoyouintheeventthathehadonebeforeGovernment.

AndsoIfeltthatthebestwaytohandlethesenecessarypoliticalexpensesofgettingmymessagetotheAmericanpeopleandthespeechesImade--thespeechesIhadprintedforthemostpartconcernedthisonemessageofexposingthisAdministration,theCommunisminit,thecorruptioninit--theonlywaythatIcoulddothatwastoaccepttheaidwhichpeopleinmyhomeStateofCalifornia,whocontributedtomycampaignandwhocontinuedtomakethesecontributionsafterIwaselected,weregladtomake.

AndletmesayIamproudofthefactthatnotoneofthemhaseveraskedmeforaspecialfavor.Iamproudofthefactthatnotoneofthemhaseveraskedmetovoteonabillotherthanmyownconsciencewoulddictate.AndIamproudofthefactthatthetaxpayersbysubterfugeorotherwisehaveneverpaidonedimeforexpenseswhichIthoughtwerepoliticalandshouldn''tbechargedtothetaxpayers.

Letmesay,incidentally,thatsomeofyoumaysay,"Well,thatisallright,Senator,that''syourexplanation,buthaveyougotanyproof?"AndI''dliketotellyouthiseveningthatjustanhouragowereceivedanindependentauditofthisentirefund.IsuggestedtoGovernorShermanAdams,whoisthechiefofstaffoftheDwightEisenhowercampaign,thatanindependentauditandlegalreportbeobtained,andIhavethatauditinmyhands.It''sanauditmadebythePriceWaterhouse&Co.firm,andthelegalopinionbyGibson,Dunn,&Crutcher,lawyersinLosAngeles,thebiggestlawfirm,andincidentally,oneofthebestonesinLosAngeles.

IamproudtobeabletoreporttoyoutonightthatthisauditandthislegalopinionisbeingforwardedtoGeneralEisenhower.AndI''dliketoreadtoyoutheopinionthatwaspreparedbyGibson,Dunn,&Crutcher,andbasedonallthepertinentlawsandstatutes,togetherwiththeauditreportpreparedbythecertifiedpublicaccountants:

"ItisourconclusionthatSenatorNixondidnotobtainanyfinancialgainfromthecollectionanddisbursementofthefundbyDanaSmith;thatSenatorNixondidnotviolateanyfederalorstatelawbyreasonoftheoperationofthefund;andthatneithertheportionofthefundpaidbyDanaSmithdirectlytothirdpersons,northeportionpaidtoSenatorNixon,toreimbursehimfordesignatedofficeexpenses,constitutedincometotheSenatorwhichwaseitherreportableortaxableasincomeunderapplicabletaxlaws."

?????????(signed)

?????????Gibson,Dunn,&Crutcher,

?????????byElmoH.Conley

Nowthat,myfriends,isnotNixonspeaking,butthat''sanindependentauditwhichwasrequested,becauseIwanttheAmericanpeopletoknowallthefacts,andIamnotafraidofhavingindependentpeoplegoinandcheckthefacts,andthatisexactlywhattheydid.ButthenIrealizedthattherearestillsomewhomaysay,andrightlyso--andletmesaythatIrecognizethatsomewillcontinuetosmearregardlessofwhatthetruthmaybe--butthattherehasbeenunderstandably,somehonestmisunderstandingonthismatter,andtherearesomethatwillsay,"Well,maybeyouwereable,Senator,tofakethething.Howcanwebelievewhatyousay?Afterall,isthereapossibilitythatmaybeyougotsomesumsincash?Isthereapossibilitythatyoumighthavefeatheredyourownnest?"Andsonow,thatIamgoingtodo--andincidentallythisisunprecedentedinthehistoryofAmericanpolitics--Iamgoingatthistimetogivetothistelevisionandradioaudience,acompletefinancialhistory,everythingI''veearned,everythingI''vespent,everythingIown.AndIwantyoutoknowthefacts.

I''llhavetostartearly.Iwasbornin1913.Ourfamilywasoneofmodestcircumstances,andmostofmyearlylifewasspentinastoreoutinEastWhittier.Itwasagrocerystore,oneofthosefamilyenterprises.Theonlyreasonwewereabletomakeitgowasbecausemymotheranddadhadfiveboys,andweallworkedinthestore.Iworkedmywaythroughcollege,and,toagreatextent,throughlawschool.Andthenin1940,probablythebestthingthateverhappenedtomehappened.ImarriedPatwhoissittingoverhere.Wehadaratherdifficulttimeafterweweremarried,likesomanyoftheyoungcoupleswhomaybelisteningtous.Ipracticedlaw.Shecontinuedtoteachschool.

Then,in1942,Iwentintotheservice.Letmesaythatmyservicerecordwasnotaparticularlyunusualone.IwenttotheSouthPacific.IguessI''mentitledtoacoupleofbattlestars.Igotacoupleoflettersofcommendation.ButIwasjusttherewhenthebombswerefalling.AndthenIreturned--returnedtotheUnitedStates,andin1946,IranfortheCongress.Whenwecameoutofthewar--PatandI--Patduringthewarhadworkedasastenographer,andinabank,andasaneconomistforaGovernmentagency--andwhenwecameout,thetotalofoursavings,frombothmylawpractice,herteachingandallthetimeIwasinthewar,thetotalforthatentireperiodwasjustalittlelessthan$10,000--everycentofthat,incidentally,wasinGovernmentbonds.Wellthat''swherewestart,whenIgointopolitics.

Now,whathaveIearnedsinceIwentintopolitics?Well,hereitis.I''vejotteditdown.Letmereadthenotes.Firstofall,IhavehadmysalaryasaCongressmanandasaSenator.Second,Ihavereceivedatotalinthispastsixyearsof$1,600fromestateswhichwereinmylawfirmatthetimethatIseveredmyconnectionwithit.And,incidentally,asIsaidbefore,IhavenotengagedinanylegalpracticeandhavenotacceptedanyfeesfrombusinessthatcameintothefirmafterIwentintopolitics.Ihavemadeanaverageofapproximately$1,500ayearfromnonpoliticalspeakingengagementsandlectures.

Andthen,fortunately,wehaveinheritedlittlemoney.Patsoldherinterestinherfather''sestatefor$3,000,andIinherited$1,500frommygrandfather.Welivedrathermodestly.ForfouryearswelivedinanapartmentinParkfairfax,inAlexandriaVirginia.Therentwas$80.00amonth.Andwesavedforthetimethatwecouldbuyahouse.Now,thatwaswhatwetookin.Whatdidwedowiththismoney?Whatdowehavetodaytoshowforit?Thiswillsurpriseyoubecauseitissolittle,Isuppose,asstandardsgenerallygoofpeopleinpubliclife.

Firstofall,we''vegotahouseinWashington,whichcost$41,000andonwhichweowe$20,000.WehaveahouseinWhittier,Californiawhichcost$13,000andonwhichweowe$3,000.Myfolksarelivingthereatthepresenttime.Ihavejust$4,000inlifeinsurance,plusmyGIpolicywhichI''veneverbeenabletoconvert,andwhichwillrunoutintwoyears.IhavenolifeinsurancewhateveronPat.IhavenolifeinsuranceonourtwoyoungstersTriciaandJulie.Iowna1950Oldsmobilecar.Wehaveourfurniture.Wehavenostocksandbondsofanytype.Wehavenointerestofanykind,directorindirect,inanybusiness.Now,that''swhatwehave.Whatdoweowe?

Wellinadditiontothemortgage,the$20,000mortgageonthehouseinWashington,the$10,000oneonthehouseinWhittier,Iowe$4500totheRiggsBankinWashington,D.C.,withinterest4and1/2percent.Iowe$3,500tomyparents,andtheinterestonthatloan,whichIpayregularly,becauseit''sapartofthesavingstheymadethroughtheyearstheywereworkingsohard--Ipayregularly4percentinterest.AndthenIhavea$500loan,whichIhaveonmylifeinsurance.

Well,that''saboutit.That''swhatwehave.Andthat''swhatweowe.Itisn''tverymuch.ButPatandIhavethesatisfactionthateverydimethatwe''vegotishonestlyours.Ishouldsaythis,thatPatdoesn''thaveaminkcoat.ButshedoeshavearespectableRepublicanclothcoat,andIalwaystellhershe''dlookgoodinanything.

OneotherthingIprobablyshouldtellyou,becauseifIdon''tthey''llprobablybesayingthisaboutme,too.Wedidgetsomething,agift,aftertheelection.AmandowninTexasheardPatontheradiomentionthefactthatourtwoyoungsterswouldliketohaveadog.Andbelieveitornot,thedaybeforeweleftonthiscampaigntripwegotamessagefromUnionStationinBaltimore,sayingtheyhadapackageforus.Wewentdowntogetit.Youknowwhatitwas?Itwasalittlecockerspanieldog,inacratethathehadsentallthewayfromTexas,blackandwhite,spotted,andourlittlegirlTricia,thesixyearold,nameditCheckers.Andyouknow,thekids,likeallkids,lovethedog,andIjustwanttosaythis,rightnow,thatregardlessofwhattheysayaboutit,we''regonnakeepit.

Itisn''teasytocomebeforeanationwideaudienceandbareyourlife,asI''vedone.ButIwanttosaysomethingsbeforeIconclude,thatIthinkmostofyouwillagreeon.Mr.Mitchell,theChairmanoftheDemocraticNationalCommittee,madethisstatementthatifamancouldn''taffordtobeintheUnitedStatesSenate,heshouldn''trunfortheSenate.AndIjustwanttomakemypositionclear.Idon''tagreewithMr.MitchellwhenhesaysthatonlyarichmanshouldservehisGovernmentintheUnitedStatesSenateorintheCongress.Idon''tbelievethatrepresentsthethinkingoftheDemocraticParty,andIknowthatitdoesn''trepresentthethinkingoftheRepublicanParty.

Ibelievethatit''sfinethatamanlikeGovernorStevenson,whoinheritedafortunefromhisfather,canrunforPresident.ButIalsofeelthatit''sessentialinthiscountryofoursthatamanofmodestmeanscanalsorunforPresident,because,youknow,rememberAbrahamLincoln,yourememberwhathesaid:"Godmusthavelovedthecommonpeople--hemadesomanyofthem."

AndnowI''mgoingtosuggestsomecoursesofconduct.Firstofall,youhavereadinthepapersaboutotherfunds,now,Mr.Stevensonapparentlyhadacouple.OneoftheminwhichagroupofbusinesspeoplepaidandhelpedtosupplementthesalariesofStateemployees.Hereiswherethemoneywentdirectlyintotheirpockets,andIthinkthatwhatMr.StevensonshoulddoshouldbetocomebeforetheAmericanpeople,asIhave,givethenamesofthepeoplethatcontributedtothatfund,givethenamesofthepeoplewhoputthismoneyintotheirpocketsatthesametimethattheywerereceivingmoneyfromtheirStategovernmentandseewhatfavors,ifany,theygaveoutforthat.

Idon''tcondemnMr.Stevensonforwhathedid,butuntilthefactsareinthereisadoubtthatwillberaised.AndasfarasMr.Sparkmanisconcerned,Iwouldsuggestthesamething.He''shadhiswifeonthepayroll.Idon''tcondemnhimforthat,butIthinkthatheshouldcomebeforetheAmericanpeopleandindicatewhatoutsidesourcesofincomehehashad.IwouldsuggestthatunderthecircumstancesbothMr.SparkmanandMr.StevensonshouldcomebeforetheAmericanpeople,asIhave,andmakeacompletefinancialstatementastotheirfinancialhistory,andiftheydon''titwillbeanadmissionthattheyhavesomethingtohide.AndIthinkyouwillagreewithme--because,folks,remember,amanthat''stobePresidentoftheUnitedStates,amanthat''stobeVicePresidentoftheUnitedStates,musthavetheconfidenceofallthepeople.Andthat''swhyI''mdoingwhatI''mdoing.Andthat''swhyIsuggestthatMr.StevensonandMr.Sparkman,sincetheyareunderattack,shoulddowhatthey''redoing.

Nowletmesaythis:Iknowthatthisisnotthelastofthesmears.Inspiteofmyexplanationtonight,othersmearswillbemade.Othershavebeenmadeinthepast.Andthepurposeofthesmears,Iknow,isthis,tosilenceme,tomakemeletup.Well,theyjustdon''tknowwhothey''redealingwith.I''mgoingtotellyouthis:IrememberinthedarkdaysoftheHisscasesomeofthesamecolumnists,someofthesameradiocommentatorswhoareattackingmenowandmisrepresentingmyposition,wereviolentlyopposingmeatthetimeIwasafterAlgerHiss.ButIcontinuedtofightbecauseIknewIwasright,andIcansaytothisgreattelevisionandradioaudiencethatIhavenoapologiestotheAmericanpeopleformypartinputtingAlgerHisswhereheistoday.Andasfarasthisisconcerned,Iintendtocontinuetofight.

WhydoIfeelsodeeply?WhydoIfeelthatinspiteofthesmears,themisunderstanding,thenecessityforamantocomeuphereandbarehissoulasIhave?Whyisitnecessaryformetocontinuethisfight?AndIwanttotellyouwhy.Because,yousee,Ilovemycountry.AndIthinkmycountryisindanger.AndIthinktheonlymanthatcansaveAmericaatthistimeisthemanthat''srunningforPresident,onmyticket--DwightEisenhower.Yousay,"WhydoIthinkitisindanger?"AndIsay,lookattherecord.SevenyearsoftheTruman-AchesonAdministration,andwhat''shappened?SixhundredmillionpeoplelosttoCommunists.AndawarinKoreainwhichwehavelost117,000Americancasualties,andIsaytoallofyouthatapolicythatresultsinthelossof600millionpeopletotheCommunists,andawarthatcostus117,000Americancasualtiesisn''tgoodenoughforAmerica.AndIsaythatthoseintheStateDepartmentthatmadethemistakeswhichcausedthatwarandwhichresultedinthoselossesshouldbekickedoutoftheStateDepartmentjustasfastaswegetthemoutofthere.

AndletmesaythatIknowMr.Stevensonwon''tdothatbecausehedefendstheTrumanpolicy,andIknowthatDwightEisenhowerwilldothat,andthathewillgiveAmericatheleadershipthatitneeds.Taketheproblemofcorruption.You''vereadaboutthemessinWashington.Mr.Stevensoncan''tcleanitupbecausehewaspickedbytheman,Truman,underwhoseAdministrationthemesswasmade.

Youwouldn''ttrustthemanwhomadethemesstocleanitup.That''sTruman.Andbythesametokenyoucan''ttrustthemanwhowaspickedbythemanwhomadethemesstocleanitupandthat''sStevenson.AndsoIsay,Eisenhower,whoowesnothingtoTruman,nothingtothebigcitybosses--heisthemanthatcancleanupthemessinWashington.TakeCommunism.IsaythatasfarasthatsubjectisconcernedthedangerisgreattoAmerica.IntheHisscasetheygotthesecretswhichenabledthemtobreaktheAmericansecretStateDepartmentcode.Theygotsecretsintheatomicbombcasewhichenabledthemtogetthesecretoftheatomicbombfiveyearsbeforetheywouldhavegottenitbytheirowndevices.AndIsaythatanymanwhocalledtheAlgerHisscasearedherringisn''tfittobePresidentoftheUnitedStates.

Isaythatamanwho,likeMr.Stevenson,haspooh-poohedandridiculedtheCommunistthreatintheUnitedStates--hesaidthattheyarephantomsamongourselves.HehasaccusedusthathaveattemptedtoexposetheCommunists,oflookingforCommunistsintheBureauofFisheriesandWildlife.Isaythatamanwhosaysthatisn''tqualifiedtobePresidentoftheUnitedStates.AndIsaythattheonlymanwhocanleadusinthisfighttoridtheGovernmentofboththosewhoareCommunistsandthosewhohavecorruptedthisGovernmentisEisenhower,becauseEisenhower,youcanbesure,recognizestheproblem,andheknowshowtodealwithit.

Nowletmethatfinally,thisevening,IwanttoreadtoyoujustbrieflyexcerptsfromaletterwhichIreceived,aletterwhichafterallthisisovernoonecantakeawayfromus.Itreadsasfollows:

?????????DearSenatorNixon,

"SinceIamonly19yearsofage,Ican''tvoteinthispresidentialelection,butbelievemeifIcouldyouandGeneralEisenhowerwouldcertainlygetmyvote.MyhusbandisintheFleetMarinesinKorea.He''acorpsmanonthefrontlinesandwehaveatwomontholdsonhe''sneverseen.AndIfeelconfidentthatwithgreatAmericanslikeyouandGeneralEisenhowerintheWhiteHouse,lonelyAmericanslikemyselfwillbeunitedwiththeirlovedonesnowinKorea.IonlypraytoGodthatyouwon''tbetoolate.Enclosedisasmallchecktohelpyouinyourcampaign.Livingon$85amonthitisallIcanaffordatpresent,butletmeknowwhatelseIcando."

Folks,it''sacheckfor$10,andit''sonethatIwillnevercash.Andjustletmesaythis:Wehearalotaboutprosperitythesedays,butIsaywhycan''twehaveprosperitybuiltonpeace,ratherthanprosperitybuiltonwar?Whycan''twehaveprosperityandanhonestGovernmentinWashington,D.C.,atthesametime?Believeme,wecan.AndEisenhoweristhemanthatcanleadthiscrusadetobringusthatkindofprosperity.

Andnow,finally,IknowthatyouwonderwhetherornotIamgoingtostayontheRepublicanticketorresign.Letmesaythis:Idon''tbelievethatIoughttoquit,becauseI''mnotaquitter.And,incidentally,Pat''snotaquitter.Afterall,hernamewasPatriciaRyanandshewasbornonSt.Patrick''sday,andyouknowtheIrishneverquit.Butthedecision,myfriends,isnotmine.IwoulddonothingthatwouldharmthepossibilitiesofDwightEisenhowertobecomePresidentoftheUnitedStates.AndforthatreasonIamsubmittingtotheRepublicanNationalCommitteetonightthroughthistelevisionbroadcastthedecisionwhichitistheirstomake.Letthemdecidewhethermypositionontheticketwillhelporhurt.AndIamgoingtoaskyoutohelpthemdecide.WireandwritetheRepublicanNationalCommitteewhetheryouthinkIshouldstayonorwhetherIshouldgetoff.Andwhatevertheirdecisionis,Iwillabidebyit.

Butjustletmesaythislastword.Regardlessofwhathappens,I''mgoingtocontinuethisfight.I''mgoingtocampaignupanddowninAmericauntilwedrivethecrooksandtheCommunistsandthosethatdefendthemoutofWashington.Andrememberfolks,Eisenhowerisagreatman,believeme.He''sagreatman.AndavoteforEisenhowerisavoteforwhat''sgoodforAmerica.