"I played by the rules of politics as I found them"

This quote by Richard M. Nixon suggests that he followed the established guidelines of politics as he encountered them. This indicates that he was not an advanced or a radical, however rather a traditionalist who respected the existing political system. He likely thought that the rules of politics were necessary for the functioning of an effective federal government and that it was his duty to follow them. This quote also recommends that Nixon was a pragmatist who was willing to work within the existing system to accomplish his goals. He was not averse to compromise or negotiation, and he wanted to work with others to get things done. Nixon's quote suggests that he was a man of concept who wanted to play by the guidelines of politics as he found them.