I never read or heard that Pat Nixon leaned to the left. I think I heard that daughter Julie voted for Obama, while Tricia is a staunch Republican.
Julie’s book about her mother was wonderful. Pat Nixon worked hard in her life - nothing was given to her. Great book.
This is what I found on Wikipedia.
She spoke out in favor of women running for political office and encouraged her husband to nominate a woman to the Supreme Court, saying “woman power is unbeatable; I’ve seen it all across this country”.[46] She was the first of the American First Ladies to publicly support the Equal Rights Amendment,[47], though her views on abortion were mixed. Following the Court’s 1973 Roe vs. Wade decision, Pat stated she was pro-choice.[1] However in 1972, she said, “I’m really not for abortion. I think it’s a personal thing. I mean abortion on demand—wholesale.”[48]
In 1972, Pat became the first Republican First Lady to address a national convention.[1] Her efforts in the 1972 reelection campaign—traveling across the country and speaking on behalf of her husband—were copied by future wifes.
She had a stroke. Did not see any drinking problem.