Checkers

views updated Jun 08 2018

Checkers name of a spaniel belonging to Richard Nixon's children, which became famous when in 1952 Nixon was accused of surreptitiously accepting money for his vice-presidential campaign. In a high-profile speech on television Nixon asserted his family's modest means and financial independence and probity, but admitted accepting a spaniel as a gift. The Checkers speech may be referred to as a type of political broadcast resting on a personal appeal.