Think Positive


Under the rubric of keeping an open mind, I’ve discovered that there is always hope.

And those of you with a historical perspective will appreciate this little story.

Some may recall me saying that I got to know three of those in Nixon’s inner circle.

One of those was a classmate, a young man from a blue collar republican family who despite being committed to conservative causes, was a decent, hard-working and fair person with exceptional abilities and intelligence whom I had known since the early days of school.

Dick was chosen by Nixon to be first a strategist and a speechwriter, and then appointed to be his first press spokesperson.

Dick lasted less than a week in that spot and then opted out of his own accord.

The big question was “why?”

It turned out to be no surprise. He couldn’t stand those who surrounded Nixon and didn’t mind saying it including Erlichman, Haldemann and the whole motley crew of Nixon’s “Nazis.”

And when Nixon chose Agnew, Dick Whelan left the Administration and decided to write a book called “Catch a Falling Flag.”

He was the first of the loyalists to break with the pack.

Dick Whelan had already achieved a modicum of fame with the Founding Fathers, the authoritative and best seller about the Kennedys. Later, he became a consultant to the republican party and then a senior editor at Fortune.

This legendary advisor to the republican party announced last month that after fifty five years of being a stalwart of conservative republicanism, he has decided to switch parties.

His reason?
The republicans have veered from their original party platform and that he has been very disappointed in the Bush presidency of the last eight years.

This shows that there is still hope that the rest of the republican party will still find its soul and return to its fundamental philosophies that have been abandoned in the last eight years.

Although Dick and I virtually never agreed philosophically, I always did respect him for who he was, his integrity and his honesty.

And now I am especially proud that he has found his core. And while the party has changed, Dick remains the point man on honesty and integrity and that with his grit and good sense, he will remain a beacon for others who recognize that the Grand Old Party has lost its way.

Les Aaron