Nixonian
Enemies list keeper
Nixonian describes something reminiscent of Richard Nixon, the 37th U.S. president who resigned in 1974 over the Watergate scandal.
The word typically suggests political paranoia, secretive machinations, or abuse of power: The administration's Nixonian tactics included enemy lists and illegal surveillance.
It can also evoke Nixon's awkward public manner or his "enemies everywhere" worldview.
1970s political crisis
- cover-upHiding wrongdoing from public
- impeachmentCharging officials with misconduct
- resignationVoluntary relinquishment of position
- tapesAdhesive strips or recordings
break-in · obstruction · plumbers · Dean · Mitchell · investigation · hearings · subpoena
Crafty and calculating
- paranoidUnreasonably suspicious of others
- manipulativeSkilled at controlling others
- calculatingColdly self-serving in strategy
- deviousUnderhanded and calculating
suspicious · secretive · ruthless · vindictive · shrewd · wily · crafty · distrustful
Relaxation of strained relations
- realpolitikPolitics prioritizing practicality over ethics
- SALTNuclear arms control negotiations
- rapprochementReestablishment of harmonious relations
- pragmatismPractical problem-solving philosophy
Kissinger · geopolitics · statecraft · Beijing · Moscow
GOP party member
- conservativeCautious about altering customs
- anticommunistOpposed to collectivist ideology
- red-baitingTarring opponents as communists
- HUACRed Scare congressional committee
Vietnam · Cambodia · bombing · hawkish · hardliner · partisan · comeback · 1968
Watergate
1970s political crisis
- cover-upHiding wrongdoing from public
- impeachmentCharging officials with misconduct
- resignationVoluntary relinquishment of position
tapes · break-in · obstruction · plumbers · Dean · Mitchell · investigation · hearings · subpoena · pardon
scheming
Crafty and calculating
- paranoidUnreasonably suspicious of others
- manipulativeSkilled at controlling others
- calculatingColdly self-serving in strategy
devious · suspicious · secretive · ruthless · vindictive · shrewd · wily · crafty · distrustful · resentful
detente
Relaxation of strained relations
- realpolitikPolitics prioritizing practicality over ethics
- SALTNuclear arms control negotiations
- rapprochementReestablishment of harmonious relations
Kissinger · pragmatism · geopolitics · statecraft · Beijing · Moscow
Republican
GOP party member
- conservativeCautious about altering customs
- anticommunistOpposed to collectivist ideology
- red-baitingTarring opponents as communists
HUAC · Vietnam · Cambodia · bombing · hawkish · hardliner · partisan · comeback · 1968 · 1972
Nixoniantransparent
Allowing light through
above-board · forthright · honest · open · accountable
Nixonianmagnanimous
Noble and forgiving
trusting · open-hearted · gracious · secure · idealistic