Southern belle strategy

richard nixon: George.

george h. w. bush: Mr. President?

nixon: Nothing of great importance. A thought occurred to me. When I spoke to the South Carolina legislature, I noticed a couple of very attractive women, both of them Republicans, in the legislature. I spoke to Harry Dent about it when he came in to see me the other day, and I said, You know, if they can do it in the South. I don’t want to go through the Lenore Romney thing, but—

bush: Yes.

nixon: I want you to be sure to emphasize to our people—my God, let’s look for some. Understand, I don’t do it because I’m for women [chuckles], but I’m doing it because maybe I think a woman might win someplace where a man might not.

bush: Sure.

nixon: So have you got that in mind?

bush: I will certainly keep it in mind, sir. Fine.

nixon: And if you’ll talk to Harry about it, he’ll tell you how they found these women. I don’t know how they did it, but these were two in the state legislature, you see?

bush: Yeah, that’s great.

nixon: And boy, they were good-looking and bright, and the Democrat who’s a speaker said they were two of the best members of the House.

bush: Well, that’s terrific.