"I sometimes lie awake at night trying to think of something funny that Richard Nixon said"

Lyn Nofziger’s remark about lying awake at night searching for something funny that Richard Nixon said operates on several levels, humor, political commentary, and personal reflection. The image of sleeplessness is relatable, as many people find themselves awake, thoughts spinning, and suggests a mind preoccupied with matters that almost border on the obsessive or impossible tasks. The description of “trying to think of something funny that Richard Nixon said” implies that such a search might be both fruitless and amusing in itself. Implicitly, Nixon’s public persona did not lend itself to humor or spontaneous wit, at least positive or endearing wit; his manner was often formal, secretive, and associated with the gravitas, or even paranoia, of his presidency.

Nofziger, himself a political strategist and republican, uses irony, poking gentle fun at Nixon while also inviting the audience to reflect on the role that personality and likability play in political life. Political figures are often measured not only by their intelligence or policies but by their human side, the moments when they are personable, relatable, or humorous. By highlighting Nixon’s apparent lack in this area, the remark alludes to a broader conversation about what makes a leader memorable or endearing. For many, warmth, humor, and the ability to make people laugh are crucial attributes. Nixon, whose legacy became overshadowed by Watergate and a perceived lack of charisma, stands in contrast to politicians known for their humor, such as Ronald Reagan or John F. Kennedy.

The joke about searching for something funny Nixon said works by gently critiquing the environment and tone he brought to the Oval Office, one often reported as humorless or somber. Ultimately, Nofziger’s statement is an invitation to think about the lighter side of politics, even if sometimes it means laughing at the absence of laughter itself.