RICHARD NIXON:
the human side?
Salt: Mr. Nixon, few people realize that
the President is a real human being just
like everyone else. Tell us something
about your personal life.
Nixon: Let me say this about that . . .
Salt: What we really mean is can your
prove to us that there is something be
neath that tough, mean exterior. For a
starter what kinds of food do you like?
Nixon: Plain simple, wholesome, Ameri
can cooking. Like cottage cheese with
ketchup on it. Or possibly knishes with
blueberry jam.
Salt: Is this what you normally eat?
Nixon: Certainly. I certainly wouldn’t
eat any of that government inspected
stuff like beef or salted cod. I only eat
organically grown vegetables. Pat (ed.
note “The President’s wife, Mrs. Nixon)
has a little garden you know. We call it
the “Whitehouse Hothouse.” Not to be
confused with my office naturally.
Salt: Of course.
Nixon: Naturally.
Salt: You bet. Moving right along now,
does Mrs. Nixon, Pat if we may.
Nixon: You may not.
Salt: . . . ever get a chance to cook?
Nixon: Do you seriously think I would
let that woman . . . No, let me rephrase
that. Mrs. Nixon does not cook. But she
is coming out with a cook book in the
near future though. It will be entitled
"My Six Casseroles.” Mrs. Nixon has been
showing “The Little Women” (ed. note—
Julie and Patricia the President’s daugh
ters) how to do some marvelous things
in the kitchen. Julie can even, I believe
the phrase is, fry water now. Maybe that
is why David (ed. note—David Eisen
hower, grandson of the late President
Dwight David Eisenhower who is married
to the former Julie Nixon, the Presi
dent’s daughter) always loks so spaced.
Salt: What else does the first lady do
arouna me nouse'
Nixon: Set up an appointment with her
social secretary and I am sure she will be,
and let me emphasize this, more than
happy to let you view her daily routine.
Salt: Which is probably one hell of a
whiz bang affair. Now that they have
taken the pool out of the White House,
v/hat do you do for exercise?
Nixon: I occasionally take a dip in the
reflection pond at the Washington monu
ment. I went out there about 5:30 last
Saturday and it was a little crowded so
1 went home and watched a taped replay
of the Texas-Arkansas football game.
Salt: How is your golf game coming?
Nixon: Peachy, just fine. I’m getting so
good now I even beat Billy (ed. note—
Billy Grahamn, noted theologian and
White House confidente’.) one game out
of three. I’ve been teaching Spiro (ed.
note—Vice President Spiro Agnew) trick
shots too.
Salt: Have you been invited to play in
any tournaments this year?
Nixon: No.
Salt: Are there any games you especial
ly enjoyed such as poker or gin or maybe
—war?
Nixon: I used to play a very aggres
sive game of Monopoly, but since I be
came president and my time has been
limited I have been forced to concentrate
on Chinese Checkers and dominos. I real
ly would like to play some Chinese check
er professionals but they are all in China.
I have been moving to alleviate that prob
lPtYl
Salt: Have you been invited to any
tournaments lately?
Nixon: No.
Salt: We are sure you were very dis
appointed that you were unable to throw
out the first ball of the season at the
Senator’s game.
Nixon: Yes, I was very disappointed
but 1 think it was a good opportunity for
David (ed note—the President’s son-in
law) to prove to the American public
that he really isn't a weenie arm.
Salt: We realize that you have a very
busy schedule but when you get a chance
to view the tube what programs do you
watch?
Nixon: Well, I do like to watch "Rat
Patrol’" before going to the Senate, the
"Bold Ones” before going to bed. Back
in California I used to watch “Mission
Impossible.” During the campaign I thor
oughly enjoyed “The Avengers.” Now'
one of my favorite shows is “It Takes A
Thief.” I also like game shows.
Salt: All right, which ones?
Nixon: “To Tell the Truth,” “Let’s
Make a Deal,” and sometimes I watch
“The Dating Game” with Tricia (ed. note
—the President’s unmarried daughter.)
I also like “What’s My Line.”
Salt: What exactly is your line Mr.
President?
Nixon: I want to make one thing per
fectly clear. I am THE PRESIDENT, (ed.
note—President of the United States)
makes no mistake about that.
Salt: Speaking of your daughter Tricia,
is there any truth to the rumor that she
is interested in Prince Charles of Great
Britain?
Nixon: My little queen can have the
pick of the cream of the crop. I am sure
Chuck is a fine boy and that he does come
from a fine family. Although I must con
fess I don’t know too much about him.
Salt: You are what fashion editors call
a “snappy dresser.” It has recently been
announced that you have made the list
of the 10 Best Dressed Living American
President’s. Would you care to comment
on your clothes.
Nixon: When it comes to shirts, white
is right for me. I used to be very hesitant
about wearing dark suits but since I
switched to Head and Shoulders I only
wear dark suits.
Salt: We noticed.
Nixon: 1 like wing tip and brouge shoes.
They have a lot of sole. (ed. note—that
was President Nixon’s attempt at a joke.)
Salt: Now’ for a few quick questions.
Are you right or left handed?
Nixon: I’ve always thought of myself as
ambidextrous, but you could say I favor
my right hand.
Salt: Do you like to dance?
Nixon: I’m glad you asked that, I love
to dance. In fact I’ve originated my own
dance step, one step forward, two steps
back, one step forward, two steps back.
Salt: Read any good books lately?
Nixon: I started “War and Peace” when
I was Vice President (ed. note — Vice
President under the late President Dwight
D. Eisenhower) and I’m about half-way
through.
Salt: Do you have any personal philoso
phy that you would like to explain to our
readers?
Nixon: I’ve always been interested in
Medieval Philosophy.
Salt: Thank you Mr. President.