Quincy News: Dick Tuck, Democratic prankster who targeted Nixon, dies at ninety-four

RIP
– News from elsewhere covered by Quincy Quarry News with commentary added.

Dick Tuck, Democratic prankster who targeted Nixon, died earlier this week at the age of ninety-four.

Tuck’s tricks helped define modern election combat and influenced a generation of operatives and partisan battlers.

Nixon’s the one!
A Tuck Classic
For example, Tuck is credited with waving a train out of the station while Nixon was still speaking from the back of the last car on the train.

While mostly know as campaign operative, in 1966, Tuck ran for the California State Senate.

In typically Tuck fashion, he formally rolled out his campaign with a press conference at the Forest Lawn Cemetery in Glendale, California, claiming that just because people had died doesn’t mean they don’t still have voting rights.

Getting out the vote!

Hearing of Tuck’s entry as a candidate, Richard Nixon sent him a congratulatory telegram, including an offer to campaign for him, despite his being a Democrat.

Shedding a tear over his longtime nemesis’ passing?
A file photo
When Tuck lost the election, he noted in concession speech that “(t)he people have spoken, the bastards.”

Needless to say, Mr. Tuck was a wicked funny guy and he will thus be sorely missed.

To learn more about Dick Tick and how to “tuck” someone become a part of the political lexicon, read all about it here.