Vice Presidential Years

in First Lady by Jimmy Byron — April 2, 2010 at 9:00 pm | 1 comment

As the wife of the Vice President, the “Second Lady” traveled globally as an Ambassador of Goodwill on behalf of the United States. Her position finally offered her the opportunity to travel and see the world, just as she had wished as a girl. Mrs. Nixon’s first such trip was in 1953, to countries in Asia and the Far East which had never before received an American President or Vice President. The two month excursion was filled with visits to children’s hospitals, orphanages, and over 200 schools. She was widely praised upon her return home. The Nixons’ second major trip was to Central America in 1955. In Panama, she became the first foreign dignitary to ever visit a leper colony.

The Nixons trip to Ghana in 1957 was the first official Vice Presidential trip to Africa. The following year was spent traveling to every South American country, save Brazil and Chile. The Nixons faced anti-American protesters in Peru and were attacked by anti-American mobs in Caracas, Venezuela. After being spat upon at the airport, their motorcade was halted and a mob of more than 500 used stones, lead pipes, and baseball bats to smash and break the closed windows of the limousines. Her life in danger, Mrs. Nixon remained stoic throughout the ordeal. Chauffeur Don Hughes later remarked that Mrs. Nixon “had more guts than any man I’ve ever seen.”

All the while Mrs. Nixon entertained and attended official functions up to four nights a week. She substituted for and assisted Mamie Eisenhower, the First Lady, when asked, usually hosting dinners or other social functions. As she was away so often, she relished spending time with her young children.

Mrs. Nixon was initially reluctant at the start of her husband’s candidacy for President in 1960, as her interest in politics had dimmed after the 1952 fund controversy. Though she expressed reservations, she willingly supported her husband in his presidential bid. The Republican National Committee launched a “Pat Week” and said of her in a press release, “Pat Nixon is part of the experienced Nixon team. She’s uniquely qualified for the position of First Lady.” As she campaigned she explained that her role was “reflective of women all over America taking an active part, not only in political life, but in all activities.”

Mrs. Nixon stood by her husband as he conceded defeat to John F. Kennedy, the cameras broadcasting her pain to a worldwide audience. Nixon had lost by two-tenths of one percent of the popular vote; Mrs. Nixon’s spirit had been badly bruised by the loss. The Nixon family returned to California to a slower-paced life.

Though she was opposed to a 1962 California Gubernatorial bid, she campaigned across the state on behalf of her husband, usually drawing crowds larger than those of Democratic candidate Pat Brown. After Nixon’s loss, he recounted “Pat never once said ‘I told you so.’” The Nixons moved to New York City in 1963 where Nixon returned to practicing law. Mrs. Nixon was able to enjoy the relaxed pace of life while spending time with her daughters and frequently answering phones at her husband’s law firm. The family began traveling more often as Richard Nixon’s political career rebounded, including lengthy trips abroad in the late 1960s. As her husband announced his campaign for President in 1968, Pat Nixon believed he was the right man to quell the domestic chaos of the 1960s. As she had done in all his past campaigns, she shook hands and spoke directly to supporters throughout the duration, culminating in a Nixon victory on election night; Pat cried with relief and happiness.

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