Checkers Speech: What's Up With the Opening Lines?

    Checkers Speech: What's Up With the Opening Lines?

      My Fellow Americans, I come before you tonight as a candidate for the Vice-Presidency and as a man whose honesty and integrity has been questioned. (1)

      The opening lines are a warm-up. Nixon's setting you up for a switcheroo, explaining how the political establishment (read, Democrats) enjoy mudslinging, and how Nixon, man of integrity that he is, thinks America deserves something more from its representatives.