Influential ads produced by Shakespeare helped Nixon to associate crime and disorder with opponents and overcome suspicion of Nixon's character and personality.
Nixon's comment, arguably a throwaway line at the time, has become prophetic as the public across the political spectrum fears they are being manipulated and deceived.
Trump has used recent protests to double down on a suburban strategy based in fear of crime and disorder. Writer Emily Badger investigates whether it will work.
by Charles Holden, Zach Messitte and Jerald Podair
The pugilistic speeches that caused Agnew’s political star to rise also eroded Americans’ bonds of empathy at a time when the nation desperately needed statesmanship.
The silent majority spoke in 1968 and again 1972 by voting a Republican into the White House, just as they did in 2016 when they voted for Donald Trump.
