Talk with Spiro Agnew

Spiro Theodore Agnew was an American politician who served as the 39th Vice President of the United States from 1969 until his resignation in 1973. He was the first Greek-American to hold such a high office in the country. Born on November 9, 1918, in Baltimore, Maryland, Agnew was a member of the Republican Party.

Before becoming Vice President, Agnew served as the Governor of Maryland from 1967 to 1969. He was known for his conservative stance and was a strong supporter of the Vietnam War. As Vice President under President Richard Nixon, Agnew was a vocal critic of what he saw as media bias and was known for his outspoken attacks on political opponents, particularly those on the left.

Agnew's political career came to a turbulent end when he resigned the vice presidency in 1973 after being investigated for criminal conspiracy, bribery, extortion, and tax fraud during his tenure as governor of Maryland. He pled no contest to a single charge of tax evasion and was subsequently fined and placed on probation, thus avoiding a prison sentence.

His resignation marked a significant moment in U.S. political history as it was one of the few times a sitting Vice President resigned from office. Agnew's departure from politics was ignominious, and he largely remained out of the public eye until his death on September 17, 1996.

Spiro Agnew was known for his hawkish views on the Vietnam War. As Vice President under Richard Nixon, Agnew strongly supported the Nixon administration's Vietnam War policies. He was a vocal critic of anti-war demonstrators and often denounced them in his speeches, characterizing them as unpatriotic and accusing them of aiding the enemy.

Agnew's rhetoric frequently defended the administration's actions and strategies in Vietnam, emphasizing the need to support South Vietnam against communist North Vietnamese aggression. He was known for his tough stance on law and order, and this extended to his views on foreign policy, where he favored a strong military response and supported the idea that a forceful approach was necessary to achieve peace and uphold American interests abroad.

Spiro Agnew is a significant figure in the history of the Republican Party, primarily due to his role as Vice President under President Richard Nixon from 1969 until his resignation in 1973. Agnew's influence on the party can be seen in several areas:

1. Vocal Conservatism: Agnew was known for his staunch conservative positions, particularly during a time when the political landscape in the United States was highly polarized. His strong anti-communist and law-and-order stance resonated with many Republicans, contributing to the solidification and mobilization of the conservative base within the party.

2. Rhetoric and Communication: Agnew was notable for his aggressive communication style. He often targeted the media and political opponents with sharp and sometimes controversial remarks. This method of communication would foreshadow the more direct and confrontational style that would later become more prevalent in Republican politics.

3. Appeal to the Silent Majority: Under Nixon’s administration, Agnew played a crucial role in appealing to the so-called "Silent Majority"—a term used to describe supposedly average Americans who did not publicly voice their political opinions but shared conservative views on governance, national security, and social policies. This strategy helped to broaden the Republican base beyond traditional demographics.

4. Impact of Resignation: Agnew's resignation in 1973, due to charges of tax evasion, bribery, and extortion stemming from his time as Governor of Maryland, had a mixed impact on the Republican Party. On one hand, it was a moment of significant embarrassment, contributing to the atmosphere of scandal that already surrounded the Nixon administration due to Watergate. On the other hand, it led to the appointment of Gerald Ford as Vice President, who would later become President and attempt to steer the party in a direction that emphasized integrity and healing.

Overall, Agnew's influence on the Republican Party was marked by both his vocal advocacy of conservative values and the controversial manner in which his political career ended, setting the stage for both the solidification of conservative ideology within the party and the later need for reform and redefinition.

Spiro Agnew's political career began at the local level in Maryland. Initially interested in politics, Agnew made his entry when he was elected to the Baltimore County Board of Zoning Appeals in 1957. His political career gained significant momentum in 1962 when he was elected as the Baltimore County Executive. This position was his first major political role, and during his tenure, he focused on issues such as school construction and streamlined bureaucracy. Agnew's ability to work across party lines and his stance against racial discrimination helped him build a moderate political profile.

His success as County Executive paved the way for a broader political role, and in 1966, he was elected Governor of Maryland. As governor, Agnew continued to cultivate a reputation as a progressive Republican, focusing on education and tax reform, and further enhancing his political stature, which later on facilitated his ascent to the national stage as Richard Nixon's Vice President.

Spiro Agnew's relationship with Richard Nixon evolved significantly over their time working together in the White House. Initially, Nixon selected Agnew as his Vice Presidential running mate in 1968 largely because Agnew, who was then the Governor of Maryland, was viewed as a moderate Republican who could help balance the ticket and appeal to both Northern liberals and Southern conservatives.

Despite not being close prior to the nomination, Agnew served as a loyal vice president who strongly defended Nixon’s policies and actions, especially during the turbulent times of the Vietnam War and domestic unrest. Agnew was often utilized by Nixon to attack opponents in the media and the Democratic Party, which he did with notable zeal, becoming somewhat of an attack dog for the administration.

However, their relationship began to strain as the Watergate scandal unfolded. Nixon’s focus naturally shifted towards defending his own position, and Agnew felt somewhat sidelined and underappreciated. Matters worsened for Agnew when he himself came under investigation for corruption charges dating back to his time as Governor of Maryland. During this period, Agnew felt he lacked the full support of Nixon.

Eventually, Agnew resigned in 1973 after being charged with tax evasion, among other offenses. The plea deal led to his resignation, a decision which he felt was pressured by Nixon’s administration as they dealt with the escalating Watergate scandal. Agnew felt betrayed by how easily Nixon’s team seemed to push him aside, although Nixon himself later expressed sadness about Agnew's resignation, acknowledging his effectiveness and loyalty as Vice President.

Thus, while the relationship began on a functional and politically beneficial note, it ended with mutual feelings of disappointment and a lack of support, reflecting the tumultuous nature of their shared time in office.

Spiro Agnew resigned from his position as Vice President of the United States on October 10, 1973.

Spiro Agnew was accused of having accepted bribes during his tenure as Vice President and as Governor of Maryland. These allegations surfaced in 1973 and involved accepting payments in exchange for contracts and political favors. Agnew denied the allegations of bribery but eventually resigned from his position as Vice President on October 10, 1973, as part of a plea bargain. He pleaded no contest to a single charge of tax evasion, which indirectly related to the accusations of bribery. This plea allowed him to avoid prison time but led to his disbarment and a fine.

The term "nattering nabobs of negativism" was famously used by Spiro Agnew in a speech written by William Safire in 1970. Agnew used this phrase to criticize opponents of the Vietnam War and the media who, he felt, were overly negative towards America's political intentions. Agnew himself was not called a "nattering nabob;" rather, he was the one using the phrase to describe others.

Discover and learn about people that are similar to Spiro Agnew.