Richard Nixon in Newt!, by Dick Williams


On Principles & Values: Inspired formation of Conservative Opportunity Society

Following the 1982 congressional elections, the New York Times began an editorial by saying, "The stench of failure hangs over the Reagan presidency." A recession was underway. The Republican minority in the House was hit hard, losing 26 seats and moving in reverse, even as Reagan was rebounding.

Some trace the idea for the Conservative Opportunity Society to a meeting Gingrich had in 1982 with former President Nixon about the need for a more idea-oriented party.

"Marianne and I went to see Dick Nixon late in 1982," Gingrich told me. "He said, 'You can't change the House yourself. You have to go back and form a group.' You could say that the idea for the COS came from Nixon. He was responsible for a great deal of political change in this country."

The idea had been germinating well before Nixon offered his advice. Gingrich had spent four years seeing his fellow Republicans in the House react instead of act. The group met weekly and planned.

Source: Newt!, by Dick Williams, p. 98-100 Jun 1, 1995

The above quotations are from Newt! Leader of the Second American Revolution, by Dick Williams.
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