Nixon’s 1960 visit to York, No. 1: ‘Here he is, George M. Goodling’
The Gazette and Daily, no fan of Richard Nixon, reported on a gaffe during the vice-presidents 1960 visit to York County. Background posts: Washington Township, Jefferson Borough, Madison Avenue. How about an Obama Street in York County? and Exhibit features artifacts detailing presidential visits to York County and In 2008, 8 top candidates or their families campaigned in York County.
Richard Nixon was on the last stages of a last-ditch American campaign tour in October 1960 when brought his campaign against Democratic challenger John F. Kennedy to York.
On the platform at a York railroad station rally, someone asked him to plug GOP congressional candidate George Goodling.
The vice-president slapped legislative candidate Stanley H. Gross on the back and said, “Here he is, George M. Goodling.” …
The crowd laughed, and someone told Nixon that had confused Gross with congressional candidate Goodling.
“I got the wrong one,” Nixon commented.
The Gazette and Daily reported: “And a dismayed-looking Goodling stepped forward to receive the acknowledgment of the audience.”
But Nixon gained the last laugh – at least in York County.
He outgained Kennedy, 55,109 to 38,710.
To view a working list of presidential visits to York County, click here.
