 When the Dick Nixon Special arrived in Bakersfield , California , that day , the candidate , still oblivious to the developing furor , made a speech promoting the Republican ticket , and backing local congressman Thomas H. Werdel . After the speech , Republican activist Keith McCormac showed Nixon the Post story , which had been picked up by United Press under the headline " Nixon Scandal Fund " . According to McCormac , the senator collapsed into his seat in shock , and needed the help of Murray Chotiner , who was again Nixon 's campaign manager , and Congressman Patrick J. Hillings ( a Nixon confidant who had succeeded him in the House of Representatives ) to return to his compartment . 
