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The Knowles Affair: Nixon's Self‐Inflicted Wound
Author(s) -
KOTLOWSKI DEAN J.
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
presidential studies quarterly
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.337
H-Index - 5
eISSN - 1741-5705
pISSN - 0360-4918
DOI - 10.1111/j.0360-4918.2000.00123.x
Subject(s) - presidency , presidential system , opposition (politics) , political science , law , administration (probate law) , criticism , politics
The Knowles affair, a forgotten chapter of the early Nixon presidency, caused quite a stir in 1969. The administration's five‐month‐long attempt to elevate John H. Knowles, a moderate Republican, to the post of assistant secretary of health, education, and welfare (HEW) for health and scientific affairs aroused opposition from the American Medical Association and Senate Minority Leader Everett McKinley Dirksen, a Republican of Illinois. The imbroglio revealed weaknesses in Nixon's decision‐making and administrative style, drew considerable criticism in the press, and helped to undermine the position of HEW Secretary Robert H. Finch, until then a presidential favorite. For students of the modern presidency, the Knowles case showed how a minor dispute can become important when stoked by ego, ambition, bungling, and press leaks.