Checkers

Facing accusations of corruption, Nixon seeks to regain the trust of the American public. He denies the accusations, but rather than trying to prove his innocence through factual evidence, he relies primarily on two complementary rhetorical tactics. First, he presents himself as someone his audience can identify with: a hardworking, middle-class American who exemplifies the values of Integrity and Modesty. Second, he frames his political opponents as members of a privileged elite, in contrast with himself and the rank-and-file voters he hopes to persuade, and he strongly implies that the real corruption lies with them. This technique relies on relating to the masses and placing oneself at the same level as the common person. Nixon aims to come across as genuine and likeable, and the outpouring of public support he received after the speech suggests that he largely succeeded.

Nixon begins by reframing his allegedly dishonest actions as motivated by unusual honesty. Emphasizing The Distinction Between Campaign Expenses and Governing Expenses, he claims to have accepted the donations in question because he did not feel that campaign expenses should be paid for by taxpayers, and—unlike his wealthy opponents—he could not fund his campaign with his own money.