Spiro Agnew

This portrait in Tempera on Paper and bricks of Spiro Agnew (1918-1996) by Louis S. Glanzman is on display in the National Portrait Gallery in an exhibit examining the year 1968.

“Richard Nixon's selection of Maryland Governor Spiro Agnew to be the Republican Party's vice presidential candidate surprised most of the nation. As Time Magazine noted in its cover story of September 20, 1968, ‘Agnew’ was suddenly ‘becoming a household word.’ Nixon, however, had ample experience about the office of the vice presidency, having filled it for two terms under Dwight Eisenhower. He wanted a neutral candidate who had ‘some brains and enough strength of character that he wouldn't fold up on you.’ Moreover, he wanted a running mate who would not up-stage him. Agnew seemingly fit the bill. However, his overzealousness in labeling protesters and dissenters of every description as communists was worrisome even for Nixon, who had campaigned in much the same way for Eisenhower in 1952.” -- NPG