The Last Liberal

"Why is it that many of us have been so reluctant to give Nixon any credit for policies that by the standards of most administrations would be considered liberal or at least progressive? Probably because our definition of liberal has little to do with politics and economics and has more to do with what we regard as being a good person. By that definition, Richard Nixon does not qualify. He was petty, vindictive, paranoid and resentful of those who, like Kennedy, he felt were born into privilege. How in the world did he ever manage to get so much done? Kissinger's remark can practically stand as his epitaph: 'Can you imagine what this man would have been if someone loved him?'"

Reviewing recent books on Richard Nixon, Salon's Allen Barra argues for a reassessment of the disgraced president.