On Nixon Tapes, Disparaging Remarks About Ethnic Groups - NYTimes.com:
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| "Leonid, have you heard this one? Jew, an Irishman, and an Italian walk into a bar ... " |
“The Jews have certain traits,” he said. “The Irish have certain — for example, the Irish can’t drink. What you always have to remember with the Irish is they get mean. Virtually every Irish I’ve known gets mean when he drinks. Particularly the real Irish.”
Nixon continued: “The Italians, of course, those people course don’t have their heads screwed on tight. They are wonderful people, but,” and his voice trailed off.
A moment later, Nixon returned to Jews: “The Jews are just a very aggressive and abrasive and obnoxious personality.”
Isreali Jews shouldn't feel bad, Nixon admired them. It was the American Jews he despised. His prejudices were complex and nuanced.
