CAMPAIGN ’88 : Nixon to Stay Away
One prominent Republican definitely does not want an invitation to address the party’s national convention. Former President Richard M. Nixon has notified Republican Party officials that he plans to avoid political activity this year, a party source said.
In a letter to Republican Party Chairman Frank J. Fahrenkopf Jr., Nixon said he would be concentrating his energies on writing a column for the London Sunday Times.
Nixon sent similar word to Fred Malek, Bush’s choice for convention manager. Malek worked in the Nixon White House.
The party source, who insisted on anonymity, said there was sentiment among party officials to invite Nixon to address the New Orleans convention.
But Nixon, who was driven from office by the Watergate scandal, knew that his appearance would be controversial, the source said. The former President has not appeared at a Republican National Convention since he left office.
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