Donald Critchlow is author of “Republican Character: From Nixon to Reagan
How did the Republican Party evolve ideologically in America over the half past half century? This edition of the Nixon Now Podcast explores this question through the lives of four of its leaders: Richard Nixon, Nelson Rockefeller, Barry Goldwater, and Ronald Reagan.
Our guest is Dr. Donald Critchlow, Professor of History and Director of the Center for Political Thought and Leadership at Arizona State University, and the founding president of the Institute for Political History. He is the author of many books including “Phyllis Schlafly and Grassroots Conservatism: A Woman’s Crusade,” “The Conservative Ascendancy: How the GOP Right Made Political History,” and “Future Right: Forging a New Republican Majority.” The book he discussed on this edition of the podcast is “Republican Character: From Nixon to Reagan,” which Nixon biographer and former Newsweek editor Evan Thomas calls “engagingly wrought, persuasive, and highly relevant to today’s political scene.”
Program Highlights:
– Richard Nixon’s political ideology as a member of U.S. Congress.
– How Richard Nixon became a political pragmatist.
– Nelson Rockefeller’s rise and brand of Republicanism.
– Barry Goldwater and American conservatism.
– The Reagan Revolution.
– Richard Nixon’s legacy in the Republican Party.
Top Photo and Caption: Governor Nelson Rockefeller with Presidential candidate Richard Nixon (soon to be elected), and his wife Pat (on the right) in Albany, in front of the capital building. October 28, 1968 (New York State Archives)