Richard M. NixonPresidency |
Who were Nixon’s vice presidents? |
Nixon’s two vice presidents were Spiro Agnew and Gerald R. Ford. Agnew, the former governor of Maryland, was a colorful character known for his ability to turn a phrase. He once referred to the press as “nattering nabobs of negativism.” Federal prosecutors accused him of accepting bribes while governor of Maryland and as vice president. He worked out a deal with prosecutors where he pled no contest to income tax evasion charges. He was fined and placed on a three-month probation.
Nixon filled his vice presidency vacancy under Section 2 of the Twenty-fifth Amendment, which provides: “Whenever there is a vacancy in the office of the Vice President, the President shall nominate a Vice President who shall take office upon confirmation by a majority vote of both Houses of Congress.” Nixon chose U.S. Representative Gerald Ford.