Fear and Loathing On the Campaign Trail '72

Nonfiction | Biography | Adult | Published in 1973

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Summary

Background

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Author’s Note-Chapter 3

Chapters 4-7

Chapters 8-11

Chapters 12-14

Chapters 15-18

Key Figures

Themes

Index of Terms

Literary Devices

Important Quotes

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Background

Authorial Context: Hunter S. Thompson and Gonzo Journalism

Hunter S. Thompson (1937-2005) was an American journalist known for his distinctive style, sharp wit, and his role in creating what came to be known as “Gonzo journalism.” Thompson was a significant counterculture figure, and his life and work were characterized by a rebellious spirit and a profound disdain for authority. He was born in Louisville, Kentucky, on July 18, 1937. His father died when he was 14, leaving his family in financial difficulty. Thompson was a troubled youth, frequently in conflict with authority. His penchant for rebellion led to a stint in the Air Force, where he began writing for a base newspaper. After being honorably discharged, Thompson pursued journalism, working for various publications across the US and South America.

Gonzo Journalism, a term coined by Thompson, refers to a style of reporting that merges the writer’s personal experience with the reporting and often includes elements of satire, exaggeration, and fictionalization. Unlike traditional journalism, which emphasizes objectivity and detachment, Gonzo journalism is highly subjective, and the journalist often becomes a central character. Thompson’s first major success was Hell’s Angels: The Strange and Terrible Saga of the Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs in 1967. The book was based on Thompson’s yearlong immersion in the Hell’s Angels motorcycle club in California, during which he gained the group’s trust and documented their lifestyle. However, it was Thompson’s work in the early 1970s that solidified his place in literary and journalistic history. His most famous works, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1971) and Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail ’72 (1973), explore the chaotic and often absurd aspects of American society and politics.

Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail ’72 showcases Thompson’s Gonzo approach to political journalism. The campaign was a pivotal moment in American politics, marked by the eventual reelection of President Richard Nixon, a figure Thompson despised. Thompson’s coverage of the campaign was anything but conventional. Rather than simply reporting on the events, he immersed himself in the campaign, often becoming part of the story. His accounts were filled with his personal observations, rants, and digressions, offering readers a raw and unfiltered perspective on the political process.

One of the book’s most notable aspects is its portrayal of the Democratic primary race, particularly the candidacy of Senator George McGovern. Thompson admired McGovern for his antiwar stance and saw him as a genuine alternative to the corruption and cynicism of Nixon’s administration. However, Thompson also chronicled the infighting and disorganization within the Democratic Party, which ultimately contributed to McGovern’s defeat.

In addition, the book is a critique of the media’s role in shaping public perception. Thompson was highly critical of mainstream journalists, whom he saw as being too cozy with the political establishment and unwilling to challenge the status quo. In contrast, Thompson’s Gonzo approach was unapologetically subjective and confrontational, reflecting his belief that truth in politics could only be uncovered by digging below the surface.

Historical Context: Richard Nixon

Richard Milhous Nixon was born on January 9, 1913, in Yorba Linda, California. After serving as a naval officer in World War II, Nixon entered politics and quickly rose through the ranks. He was elected to the US House of Representatives in 1946 and gained national prominence as a member of the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC), where he played a key role in investigating alleged communist spy Alger Hiss. This made Nixon a household name and earned him a reputation as a staunch anti-communist. In 1950, Nixon was elected to the US Senate, and two years later he was selected as Dwight D. Eisenhower’s running mate in the 1952 presidential election. As vice president, Nixon played a significant role in Eisenhower’s administration, particularly in foreign affairs, and became known for his strong anti-communist stance and his confrontational “Checkers speech,” which saved his political career after he was accused of financial improprieties.

After narrowly losing the 1960 presidential election to John F. Kennedy and a failed bid for the governorship of California in 1962, Nixon’s political career seemed to be in decline. However, he made a remarkable comeback, securing the Republican nomination and winning the presidency in the 1968 election. Nixon’s presidency began during a period of great social upheaval in the US, marked by the Vietnam War, civil rights struggles, and widespread protests. Hunter S. Thompson, in his coverage of Nixon throughout Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail ’72, makes it clear that he hates Nixon the man and Nixon’s policies.

Thompson’s book is set during the 1972 election, which Nixon won. Nixon’s second term in office was dominated by the unfolding of the Watergate scandal, which ultimately led to his downfall. The scandal began with the June 1972 break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters at the Watergate complex in Washington, DC, by operatives connected to Nixon’s reelection campaign. While the initial break-in did not receive much attention, the subsequent investigation revealed a widespread campaign of political espionage and sabotage conducted by members of Nixon’s administration. The campaign tallies with Thompson’s criticisms of Nixon as an embodiment of the corruption of the Republican Party.

As the investigation progressed, it became clear that Nixon was involved in the cover-up of the break-in, using his presidential powers to obstruct justice and protect his aides. The scandal unraveled over two years, and the discovery of taped conversations in the Oval Office provided irrefutable evidence of Nixon’s involvement. The release of the “smoking gun” tape in August 1974, which revealed Nixon’s attempt to use the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) to block the investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), sealed his fate. Facing certain impeachment and likely removal from office, Nixon chose to resign on August 8, 1974, becoming the first US president to do so. The following day, Vice President Gerald Ford was sworn in as president, and one month later, Ford issued a full pardon for Nixon, sparing him from prosecution but sparking widespread controversy.

After his presidency, Nixon attempted to rehabilitate his image and legacy. He wrote several books on international affairs and remained active in foreign policy. Richard Nixon died on April 22, 1994, at 81. His presidency remains a cautionary tale about the dangers of executive overreach and the fragility of democratic institutions, while Thompson regarded his downfall as a vindication of his negative view of Nixon.

Historical-Political Context: The 1972 Democratic Convention

Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail ’72 portrays the 1972 Democratic primary, considered was one of the most turbulent and significant in US political history. The primary set the stage for a general election campaign that ultimately ended in a landslide victory for incumbent President Richard Nixon, but the primary itself highlighted the evolving dynamics of US politics in the post-1960s era. The 1972 Democratic primary took place against a backdrop of intense social and political unrest in the US. The Vietnam War was deeply unpopular, particularly among the younger generation, while the civil rights movement, feminist movement, and other social movements were challenging the status quo. These issues contributed to a sense of urgency within the Democratic Party to select a candidate who could unite the party’s diverse factions and effectively challenge Nixon, whose administration was mired in controversy despite his claimed successes in foreign policy.

The Democratic Party was still reeling from the divisions of the 1968 primary and general election, in which the party was fractured over the Vietnam War. Robert F. Kennedy’s assassination and the violent clashes at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago left deep scars, and the party was eager to move forward with a more unified front. Several prominent Democrats entered the 1972 race, representing various wings of the party. There were four key candidates. Senator George McGovern of South Dakota was a progressive who appealed to the party’s left wing, advocating for an immediate end to the Vietnam War, significant social reforms, and a more inclusive and participatory approach to politics. Senator Hubert H. Humphrey of Minnesota was the Democratic nominee in 1968, but the antiwar movement viewed him with skepticism by due to his association with the Johnson administration, which had escalated US involvement in Vietnam. Senator Edmund Muskie of Maine was seen as a moderate and a safe choice who could appeal to both liberals and centrists. Governor George Wallace of Alabama was a staunch segregationist who ran as a populist candidate appealing to Southern whites and working-class voters in the North.

The primary campaign was chaotic and unpredictable. No clear frontrunner emerged until late in the process. Muskie’s campaign suffered an early blow during the New Hampshire primary, where he was the victim of the so-called “Canuck letter” smear, a forged letter that cast doubt on his temperament and suitability for the presidency. His emotional response to the attacks further damaged his candidacy, and he soon faded from the race. George Wallace performed surprisingly well in the early primaries, but his campaign came to a sudden halt in May when he was shot and paralyzed in an assassination attempt. Humphrey, despite his experience and deep connections within the party, struggled to counter McGovern’s insurgent campaign. He was unable to shake his association with the Vietnam War, and his more traditional campaign style seemed out of step with the changing political climate. As McGovern racked up primary victories in key states like California, it became clear that he was on track to win the nomination.

The 1972 Democratic National Convention was a contentious affair. McGovern secured the nomination after a prolonged and bitter fight over delegate credentials, rules, and platform issues. His choice of Missouri Senator Thomas Eagleton as his running mate initially seemed like a safe pick, but the campaign was soon thrown into disarray when it was revealed that Eagleton had undergone electroshock therapy for depression. The controversy led to Eagleton’s withdrawal from the ticket and his replacement by Sargent Shriver, but the damage was done. McGovern’s campaign never fully recovered.

The 1972 Democratic primary left the party deeply divided. McGovern’s landslide defeat by Nixon in the general election, where he won only Massachusetts and the District of Columbia, led to intense soul-searching within the Democratic Party. Many blamed McGovern’s left-wing positions for the defeat, while others argued that the party had failed to unite around a compelling alternative to Nixon. The 1972 primary had lasting implications for the Democratic Party’s structure and strategy. The emphasis on primaries over caucuses and conventions fundamentally changed how candidates are nominated, giving more power to grassroots activists and rank-and-file voters.