Spiro T. Agnew Quotes

A collection of quotes by Spiro T. Agnew.

Spiro T. Agnew was an American politician who served as the 39th Vice President of the United States from 1969 to 1973. Born on November 9, 1918, in Baltimore, Maryland, Agnew belonged to a Greek immigrant family. He graduated from Johns Hopkins University in 1940 and went on to study law at the University of Baltimore.

Agnew entered politics in the early 1960s and quickly rose through the ranks. He served as the County Executive of Baltimore County, Maryland, from 1962 to 1966. His reputation for being tough on crime helped him win the Maryland governorship in 1966. As governor, he introduced several reform initiatives and improved the state's transportation infrastructure.

In 1968, Richard Nixon selected Agnew as his running mate in the presidential election, primarily to attract blue-collar and conservative voters. Agnew brought his reputation as a staunch law-and-order advocate and delivered fiery speeches attacking the media, political opponents, and anti-war protestors.

Agnew's tenure as vice president was cut short due to a bribery scandal that surfaced in 1973. He was accused of accepting kickbacks while serving as Baltimore County Executive and later as governor. To avoid indictment, Agnew pleaded no contest to a single count of income tax evasion and resigned from office on October 10, 1973.

After his resignation, Agnew largely withdrew from politics. He pursued writing and public speaking, penning memoirs and sharing his perspectives on American politics. He passed away on September 17, 1996, in Berlin, Maryland, leaving behind a controversial legacy as a polarizing figure in American history.