The Presidency: Nixon's Paradox

Richard Nixon's way is the via media. On almost every issue he has confronted since he took office, the President has steered a middle course — or zigzagged from right to left in an effort to maintain a national equilibrium. Thus in his welfare package, Nixon made a gesture to the left by advocating a minimum annual income and to the right by keeping that subsidy at $1,600 for a family of four, far below the poverty line, and insisting that recipients accept "suitable" employment or vocational training. He suggested tax reforms, but would prefer to maintain...

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