Nation: The Champ Who Never Made It

Nelson Aldrich Rockefeller: 1908-1979

Nothing delights me so much as facing up to a complex public issue, with all its confusions, turmoil and intensity, and trying to pull together the human resources to deal with it." Thus did Nelson Aldrich Rockefeller explain his political outlook during his confirmation hearings for Vice President in 1974. The words also summed up his whole political career, from his apprenticeship under a Democratic Administration to his four terms as New York Governor to his last moments in the limelight during a brief stint as Vice President. He...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!