Last Liberal Republican: An Insider's Perspective on Nixon's Surprising Social Policy

The Last Liberal Republican is a memoir from John Roy Price, a senior domestic policy advisor to Nixon, that places Nixon in the liberal Republican tradition of Theodore Roosevelt, Thomas E. Dewey, and Eisenhower. Price offers firsthand insight into Nixon's political and policy challenges in the domestic social policy arena, including his ambitious proposal for a guaranteed family income and his efforts to build nutrition education and children's food services into schools. The book will be a valuable resource for presidency scholars studying Nixon, his policies, the state of the Republican Party, and how the Nixon years relate to the rise of the modern conservative movement.

Format: Hardback
Length: 384 pages
Publication date: 18 June 2021
Publisher: University Press of Kansas

The Last Liberal Republican is a captivating memoir from one of Richard Nixon's senior domestic policy advisors, John Roy Price. Hailing from the moderate wing of the Republican Party, Price played a pivotal role in shaping domestic policies during the Nixon administration, particularly in the areas of welfare, hunger, and health. Alongside Daniel Patrick Moynihan and John D. Ehrlichman, Price joined the Nixon White House to develop and implement these policies.

Based on his analysis of these policies and the internal struggles within the White House, Price places Nixon firmly within the liberal Republican tradition of President Theodore Roosevelt, New York governor Thomas E. Dewey, and President Eisenhower. Price's contribution to our understanding of the Nixon presidency is invaluable, as he sheds light on key moments and challenges that shaped Nixon's political and policy landscape.

In his memoir, Price delves into the complexities of Nixon's relationship with Congress, particularly during a time when the Democratic Party held a majority in both chambers. He highlights the delicate balance Nixon and his staff had to navigate, as they sought to implement their policies while contending with opposition from a conservative Republican faction.

One of the most significant aspects of The Last Liberal Republican is Price's detailed account of Nixon's ambitious proposal for a guaranteed family income. Nixon's commitment to social welfare and his willingness to challenge traditional Republican beliefs set him apart from his contemporaries. Despite facing opposition from both Democrats and conservatives, Nixon managed to secure funding for his program and even almost achieved the goal of a national health insurance program.

Price's memoir also provides insight into Nixon's efforts to expand the patchy food stamp program he inherited and build nutrition education and children's food services into schools. His commitment to addressing poverty and improving the well-being of children is evident in these initiatives.

Furthermore, Price's memoir sheds light on Nixon's surprising embrace of what we today call universal basic income. Despite facing skepticism from some within his own party, Nixon recognized the need for a safety net to support vulnerable populations and worked to implement a program that would provide a basic income to all Americans.

In conclusion, The Last Liberal Republican is a must-read for anyone interested in the Nixon presidency, American politics, and social policy. John Roy Price's memoir provides a valuable perspective on a president who was often misunderstood and underestimated. Through his detailed account of Nixon's policies and internal struggles, Price helps us to reevaluate our understanding of a president who was, in many ways, ahead of his time.

Weight: 686g
Dimension: 163 x 239 x 33 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780700632053