Did Nixon actually oppose the 26th Amendment?

[Elendil_s_Heir]

Twenty-sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution

See also: Conscription in the United States - Wikipedia

Looks like President Nixon supported it, at least publicly, but I’d think he would have been concerned that young voters would tend to favor the Democrats, especially with the draft still in place, as he faced reelection in 1972. Anything in the White House tapes or other sources to indicate that, behind closed doors, Nixon would rather have seen the 26th Amendment fail?

[Captain_Amazing]

Well, the 1968 platform said:

In recognition of the abilities of these younger citizens, their desire to participate, and their service in the nation’s defense, we believe that lower age groups should be accorded the right to vote. We believe that states which have not yet acted should reevaluate their positions with respect to 18-year-old voting, and that each such state should decide this matter for itself. We urge the states to act now.

So that might be a start.

[Johnny_L.A]

When I was a kid I saw a cartoon in Playboy.

Richard Nixon is sitting on a stool, and is about to give a press briefing. He’s dressed in bell-bottoms, a paisley shirt, a vest, and a headband, and is holding a guitar. He’s saying [paraphrasing], ‘And to demonstrate that I’m not supporting the 26th Amendment just to get the 18-year-old votes, I’ve written this song…’

[Kent_Clark]

@Elendil_s_Heir

Looks like President Nixon supported it, at least publicly, but I’d think he would have been concerned that young voters would tend to favor the Democrats, especially with the draft still in place, as he faced reelection in 1972.

You might think it, but you’d be wrong. In fact, youth lined up with their older cohorts pretty strongly in voting for Nixon.

[samclem]

Agree that all of Nixon’s actions with regards to earlier attempts would indicate he supported the idea. Perhaps he felt that most 18 years olds wouldn’t vote, which turned out to be the case.

[Elendil_s_Heir]

Thanks, everybody! Good to know.