The Pre-History of Social Media: Richard Nixon's Checkers Speech

I was surprised to find this on YouTube. It's the famous 1952 television speech by then-Vice Presidential candidate Richard Nixon. It's widely recognized as one of the first uses of the TV medium for direct political communication with the American public. Very bloggy and "transparent" of Mr. Nixon, who used the speech to exonerate himself of charges that he illegally and unethically benefitted from campaign contributions. How did he do this? By detailing his entire financial history, based on the results of an independent financial report. But I hope the irony of this moment is not lost on folks of this generation. There's more to being direct than the medium that apparently allows it.