Nixon endorsed abortion as a kind of “population control” long before most other liberals had done so.
Didn't know that. But I think people generally viewed him as a "social conservative" (as opposed to "conservative") meaning he held to traditional values of family, belief in God, anti-gay rights, etc. just like GW Bush. Some say "social conservatism" is enough but look what W got us. I say that's not enough - we need a "social conservative" who is ardently against big government and taxes - a guy like Reagan or a gal like Palin.