poll: Spiro Agnew quotes

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Poll Closing Date: Wednesday, 26 November 2025 00:00 (in 4 days)

Which of these two catchphrases, the only enduring legacy of former vice president Spiro Agnew, resonates with you the most? (also this can be a general-purpose Agnew thread should the need ever arise)

an effete corps of impudent snobs
nattering nabobs of negativism


budo jeru, Wednesday, 19 November 2025 19:13 (two days ago)

what does it mean if you identify with both of these groups?

rob, Wednesday, 19 November 2025 19:19 (two days ago)

The second one sounds like something 'Stan Lee' would write in his Bullpen Bulletins.

Ward Fowler, Wednesday, 19 November 2025 19:20 (two days ago)

write-in for

“I hereby resign the Office of Vice President of the United States, effective immediately.”

challopvious (sleeve), Wednesday, 19 November 2025 19:23 (two days ago)

Did not know this:

In 1980, Agnew wrote to Fahd bin Abdulaziz, at the time Crown Prince and de facto Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, claiming that he had been bled dry by attacks on him by Zionists, whom he blamed for forcing him out of office. He requested an interest-free three-year loan of $2 million, to be deposited in a Swiss bank account, on which the interest would be available to Agnew. He stated that he would use the funds to "continue my effort to inform the American people of their (i.e., Zionists') control of the media and other influential sectors of American society." He also congratulated the crown prince on his call for jihad against Israel, whose declaration of Jerusalem as its capital he characterized as "the final provocation". A month later he thanked the crown prince for giving him "the resources to continue the battle against the Zionist community here in the U.S."

This Thrilling Saga is the Top Show on Netflix Right Now (President Keyes), Wednesday, 19 November 2025 19:24 (two days ago)

voted effete corps as on further reflection I don't think I natter that much

rob, Wednesday, 19 November 2025 19:25 (two days ago)

the inclusion of "impudent" really clinches it for me

more difficult than I look (Aimless), Wednesday, 19 November 2025 19:28 (two days ago)

Don't know if he was responsible for both, but pretty sure "nattering nabobs" was William Safire's creation.

clemenza, Wednesday, 19 November 2025 20:39 (two days ago)

i mean, Safire was Agnew's speechwriter

budo jeru, Wednesday, 19 November 2025 20:42 (two days ago)

I know (Nixon's too)--so he came up with both?

clemenza, Wednesday, 19 November 2025 21:04 (two days ago)

Safire definitely wrote the "nattering nabobs" speech, i'm not sure about the other quote. i didn't mean to suggest that Agnew authored these but that he was associated with two frankly incredible catchphrases that i still think about and wanted to poll

budo jeru, Wednesday, 19 November 2025 21:11 (two days ago)

I love the poll--was just curious about the authorship of the first. Anyway, looked it up:

The line was part of a speech Agnew delivered at a Republican fund-raising dinner in New Orleans, Louisiana, on October 19, 1969--and, according to Google, also authored by Safire.

clemenza, Wednesday, 19 November 2025 21:15 (two days ago)

"Nattering nabobs" makes me think of this great line from Broadcast News:

William Hurt (on air) - George Weln is at the Pentagon where the attack launched by the lone Libyan pilot has resulted in a massive movement of military might.

Albert Brooks (spitefully watching him at home) - A lot of alliteration from anxious anchors placed in powerful posts.

clemenza, Wednesday, 19 November 2025 21:54 (two days ago)

This poll ultimately amounts to Smegma vs Cows

https://e.snmc.io/i/1200/s/7dcdde5809c54e3ac612aa68f3a41a8c/1230655

https://e.snmc.io/i/1200/s/a955f47a7c7fa4c4e85117307cec97c9/1288517

Although Spiro seems to have quite the back catalogue of his own, "Effete Corps Of Impudent Snobs" is on this classic LP from 1970

https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51NK6NKj6JL._UF1000,1000_QL80_.jpg

throbbing gristle vs the barron knights (Matt #2), Wednesday, 19 November 2025 22:19 (two days ago)

I used to own that Agnew album

This Thrilling Saga is the Top Show on Netflix Right Now (President Keyes), Wednesday, 19 November 2025 23:31 (two days ago)


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