Richard Nixon became a Representative in 1947, a Senator in 1950, and Vice President in 1953. That seems like a meteoric rise! How did he do it, and was it remarked on by his contemporaries? | AskHistorians Archive Observer

Richard Nixon became a Representative in 1947, a Senator in 1950, and Vice President in 1953. That seems like a meteoric rise! How did he do it, and was it remarked on by his contemporaries?

by Rob-With-One-B

Similarly, was his run for the Presidency in 1960 seen as unprecedented?

TheLordHighExecu

How did Nixon, the son of a gas station owner, view politicians from privileged backgrounds -- especially his opponent in the 1960 elections, John F. Kennedy?