How we cite our quotes: (Sentence)
Quote #1
I should say this, that Pat doesn't have a mink coat. But she does have a respectable Republican cloth coat, and I always tell her she would look good in anything. (128-129)
What on earth is Republican about a cloth coat? Shmoop really wants to know.
Quote #2
Well, that's about it. That's what we have. And that's what we owe. It isn't very much. But Pat and I have the satisfaction that every dime that we have got is honestly ours. (123-127)
A classic appeal, and one that probably hit close to home for much of America. Remember, we're at the start of the Cold War: not earning your keep with good honest work was for lazy Russians standing in bread lines, not the hard-working American people.
Quote #3
Well, then the question arises, you say, "Well, how do you pay for these and how can you do it legally?" And there are several ways, that it can be done, incidentally, and it is done legally in the United States Senate and in the Congress. The first way is to be a rich man. So I couldn't use that. (41-44)
Nixon wasn't rich, but he wasn't nearly as broke as many Americans. He's insinuating that plenty of politicians are rich (wink-wink, nudge-nudge), but he's just struggling to pay his political expenses.
Quote #4
I went to the south Pacific. I guess I'm entitled to a couple of battle stars. I got a couple of letters of commendation. But I was just there when the bombs were falling. (83-86)
This is essentially Nixon saying, Aw, shucks, did I mention that I'm a war hero? I can't put it that way because it would make me sound self-important. Subtle, bro, but what does that have to do with a secret fund?
Quote #5
What did we do with this money? What do we have today to show for it? This will surprise you because it is so little. I suppose as standards generally go of people in public life. (104-107)
Nixon was no Rockefeller, unlike Stevenson who inherited a fortune from his longstanding political family. And he loved pointing that out. Some of the info he shared was pretty shocking, like only having a few thousand dollars of life insurance for a man with a work-at-home wife and two kids.