Presidential Politics after Woodstock

ILLUSTRATIONS

Figure 4.1: Six on Van at the 1969 Woodstock Music and Art Fair. Bethel Woods Collection, 2011.14, photographer James Sarles MBW00412. Permission granted from The Museum at Bethel Woods

Figure 4.2: Crowd in field at 1969 Woodstock Music and Art Fair. Bethel Woods Collection, 2011.14, photographer James Sarles MBW00397. Permission granted from The Museum at Bethel Woods

Figure 4.3: President Richard Nixon on the Telephone at the Oval Office Desk, June 23, 1972. Courtesy Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum Image: WHPO 9461-17

Figure 4.4: President Richard Nixon and Vice President Spiro Agnew at the 1972 Republican National Convention, August 23, 1972. Courtesy Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum Image: WHPO D0147-30A

Figure 4.5: View of President Richard Nixon, Pat Nixon, Vice President Gerald Ford, and Betty Ford from inside the Presidential Helicopter, Marine/Army One, August 9, 1974. Courtesy Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum Image: WHPO E3398-09

Figure 4.6: The Swearing in of President Ford by Supreme Court Chief Justice Warren Burger, August 9, 1974. Courtesy Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library Image: A0004-10

Figure 4.7: President Ford, as the Republican nominee, shakes hands with nomination foe Ronald Reagan on the closing night of the Republican National Convention, August 19, 1976. Courtesy Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library Image: B1272-18A

Figure 4.8: Ronald Reagan giving his acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention at Joe Louis Arena, Detroit, Michigan. 7/17/80. Courtesy Ronald Reagan Library Image: E10-2

Figure 4.9: President Reagan giving his acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention, Dallas, Texas. 8/23/84. Courtesy Ronald Reagan Library Image: C23805-16

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Michelle Smith for all her guidance and knowledge as my Acquisitions Editor.

Dr. Farideh Koohi-Kamali, Senior Vice President and Global Head, Editorial – US/UK/RoW for giving this author his first opportunity ten years ago and now again with Peter Lang Publishing.

Robin Green for all her persistence and patience in helping to obtain the permission to use the photographs from The Museum at Bethel Woods.

Ryan Pettigrew at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum for his assistance in obtaining photographs used in this book.

Michael Pinckney at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library for his assistance in obtaining photographs used in this book.

Jeffrey Senger at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library for his assistance in obtaining photographs used in this book.

Kevin Slodic for his continued work in organizing the photographs into the required format.

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INTRODUCTION – WOODSTOCK

The historical events of a decade or even a generation usually manifest itself around a political event. However, the twentieth century was packed full of events that centered around sporting events, such as the 1936 and 1968 Olympics where Jesse Owens and Tommie Smith and John Carlos became symbols of black courage, athleticism, and the continuing reality of racial inequality. Almost fifty years later, the silent protest of quarterback Colin Kaepernick on September 1, 2016, when he took a knee during the national anthem before a football game has once again incited a national debate in the United States over race, what constitutes patriotism and the crossover of entertainment and protest.

Not to be overshadowed, musical events also proved to be venues for those who faced discrimination when separate but equal ruled societal norms. Marian Anderson, an African-American singer, was denied the opportunity to sing in front of an integrated audience at Constitution Hall, Washington D.C., in 1939. With the assistance of Eleanor Roosevelt and President Franklin Roosevelt, Marian Anderson sang Easter Sunday, 1939, on the scenic steps of the Lincoln Memorial. Anderson’s exquisite voice was heard by thousands in attendance and millions listening to their radios.