Let’s step back to 1968, the year Richard Nixon was elected into the White House, to the Pro-Nixon Rally at Madison Square Garden -- New York City, October 31st, 1968.

What Pacifica listeners heard - that the television audience did not hear - were the instructions to the delegates as if they were extras on a movie set. As you listen to the warm up speaker, realize that these were never meant to be heard by the viewers.

Then, hear television icon Jackie Gleason whole-heartedly throw his support behind Richard M. Nixon in his run for President - a widely-broadcast act, perhaps signaling the dawn of a new era of political persuasion in the United States.

Thanks to the Pacifica Radio Archives for this audio.  If you'd like to hear the full program this excerpt comes from, go to the From the Vault program page.

Photo of Jackie Gleason on a black & white TV set by Brian Bennett