 At 4 : 30 pm Pacific Time , Nixon , Chotiner , and Rogers were discussing where the public should be told to send their responses to the speech , when a Dewey aide telephoned for Nixon . Reluctantly , suspecting the reason for the call , Chotiner brought Nixon to the phone to speak with the New York governor . Dewey told Nixon that Eisenhower 's aides were unanimous that Nixon resign , though Dewey did not agree , and that Nixon was to so state at the end of his telecast . Nixon asked what the general wanted him to do . Dewey hedged , stating that he had not spoken with the presidential candidate himself , but that the word had come from such close aides to Eisenhower that the demand had to represent the general 's view . The candidate replied that it was very late for him to change his remarks ; Dewey assured him he need not do so , but simply add at the end his resignation from the ticket and his insistence that Eisenhower accept it . The governor suggested he even announce his resignation from the Senate and his intent to run in the special election which would follow — the two @-@ time losing presidential candidate was sure Nixon would be returned with a huge majority , thus vindicating him . Nixon remained silent for some time , and when Dewey asked him what he would do , the senator told him that he did not know , and if Eisenhower 's aides wanted to find out , they could watch just like everyone else . Before slamming down the receiver , Nixon added , " And tell them I know something about politics , too ! " 
