A One-Source Donniebrook

According to Mark Feldstein, who says Richard Nixon was "crafty, criminal, self-pitying, vengeful, paranoid," but not gay (not that it would matter if he were), sensational claims about 37's sexuality and a possible affair with Bebe Rebozo published in Don Fulsom's new book (out Tuesday) come down to this:

Just a recollection from retired journalist Bonnie Angelo, who, in an interview with me, confirmed the story she told Fulsom: In 1972, she saw a tipsy Nixon pull Rebozo into a group photo at a Florida restaurant and hold his hand for “upwards of a minute.”

That's all you've got, Don? Nixon was a profound introvert whose anxiety spiked when anyone pointed a camera or microphone at him. Bet he grabbed Rebozo's hand and forgot to let go after his brain went into hyper-observing, -calculating overdrive. This two-fisted pre-presidential handshake with Jackie Robinson looks like a semi-permanent arrangement as well. Mrs. Robinson would gladly set you straight, as it were, if you have any suspicions.

Nixon And Jackie Robinson Were Gay Lovers!

The proof: Holding his hand instead of Pat's!

This Pretty Much Sums Up RN's Problem

Richard Nixon and Jackie Robinson were friends, though their relationship cooled in the 1960s when Robinson decided Republicans weren't serious about civil rights. RN was, throughout his career. And yet not long ago CBS's Bob Schieffer, describing the time Sammy Davis Jr. hugged President Nixon, got a cheap laugh by saying, "I don't think he had ever been touched by a black person before."

Respected journalist, cheap shot at Nixon. Par for the course. That's why Nixonians must blog on.

And the Episcopal bit? Isn't the U.S. arm of the worldwide Anglican Communion similarly maligned and misunderstood?

RN and TEC: A match made in...Well, here.

I'll mainly be blogging at The New Nixon for the time being, but I wanted to get a toe in the water in my own little backwater as well.