Breakdown:

1. Introduction: Nixon’s Unexpected Victory in 1968
   • Set the stage by explaining why Nixon’s victory in 1968 seemed improbable at the time, with the rise of the counterculture, civil rights movements, and anti-war protests.
   • Pose the central question: How did Nixon, a figure who seemed out of step with the moment, manage to win?
2. The Cheating Allegation: Nixon’s Secret Move in 1968
   • Introduce the idea that Nixon cheated in 1968, a fact often overshadowed by his more infamous 1972 Watergate scandal.
   • Explain the context of the Vietnam War and how the LBJ administration was on the verge of ending the war through the Paris Peace Accords, a potential political win for the Democrats.
3. How Nixon Sabotaged the Peace Talks
   • Describe the events leading up to the 1968 election, focusing on how Nixon secretly contacted South Vietnam’s President Thieu, encouraging him to pull out of the peace talks.
   • Discuss how Nixon feared that a peace deal would ensure a Democratic victory, as LBJ’s Vice President, Hubert Humphrey, was likely to benefit from the treaty’s success.
4. LBJ’s Reaction: Outrage Behind the Scenes
   • Provide details about LBJ’s response when he found out about Nixon’s interference, including the infamous phone call where he berated the Republican leadership.
   • Mention how LBJ considered Nixon’s actions traitorous but ultimately chose not to go public with the information, likely due to the sensitive nature of diplomacy and politics at the time.
5. The Consequences: Prolonging the Vietnam War
   • Explain the broader consequences of Nixon’s actions: the Vietnam War dragged on for another seven years, resulting in millions of deaths and further devastation for both Americans and Vietnamese.
   • Emphasize the gravity of Nixon’s interference in the peace process and how it shaped the course of history.
6. Why Nixon Cheated Again in 1972
   • Transition to the Watergate scandal, explaining that Nixon’s paranoia led him to cheat again in 1972.
   • Suggest that Nixon feared that if a Democrat won in 1972, an investigation into the 1968 election might reveal his previous cheating, motivating him to engage in further illegal activities to secure his re-election.
7. Watergate: The Layers of Deception Unravel
   • Describe how Nixon’s 1972 cheating got exposed through the Watergate scandal, unraveling his presidency and leading to his eventual resignation.
   • Reflect on how the layers of deception from 1968 to 1972 demonstrate Nixon’s deep-rooted paranoia and willingness to subvert democracy for personal gain.
8. Conclusion: The Impact of Nixon’s Cheating on American Politics
   • Summarize how Nixon’s actions in both the 1968 and 1972 elections fundamentally changed American politics, exposing the lengths to which some leaders will go to maintain power.
   • End by reflecting on how these events set the stage for a deeper mistrust in government and influenced future political scandals in the United States.