PRESIDENT RICHARD M. NIXON - TYPED LETTER SIGNED 07/26/1950 - HFSID 27542

RICHARD NIXON
Congressman Nixon on the rise: Korean War affects Senate campaign.
TLS: "Dick" as Congressman, 1p, 8x10½. Washington, D.C., 1950 July 26. To Dick Cantwell, Azusa, California. In full: "This letter should have been written long ago, but as you can imagine, I found a tremendous backlog of work on my desk when I returned to Washington and I am just now getting caught up on it so that I can handle some of my current correspondence. I want to take this opportunity to tell you how much I appreciated your work in my behalf in Azusa. Our showing there was certainly gratifying and I know that the work you did, together with members of your committee, was primarily responsible. Due to the developments in Korea I have been unable to make any definite plans for the fall campaign since it will be necessary for me to remain in Washington until Congress adjourns. However, before the actual campaign tour begins, I intend to make a swing around the state for the purpose of meeting with our various chairmen and key workers. I shall look forward to seeing you then, if not before. Again many thanks for all your work in my behalf. With very best regards". Congressman Richard M. Nixon (1913-1994) of California signed this letter in July of 1950 while he was campaigning for election to the United States Senate. It was a time when his political career was on the rise. The month before this letter, President Truman authorized a military response to the North Korean Communists' full-scale invasion of South Korea (June 25, 1950). It was Truman's unpopular "limited war" strategy in the Korean conflict and Nixon's growing visibility as an opponent of Communism that made the California Senator a favorable choice as Dwight D. Eisenhower's running mate in the 1952 presidential race. Nixon was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1950, campaigning on the question concerning communists in government during a time when the spread of Communism was a key political issue. As Vice President, Nixon developed his talents in foreign diplomacy during his goodwill tours of African (1957) and South American nations (1958). He gained presidential experience by standing-in for Eisenhower during each of his three illnesses. The popularity generated by his trip to the Soviet Union boosted him into the Republican presidential nomination in July 1960. Lightly creased. Lightly stained, not at signature. Overall, fine condition. Framed in Gallery of History style: 32¼x22¼.