[83] The address, later termed the Checkers speech, was heard by about 60 million Americans—including the largest television audience up to that point.[84] Nixon emotionally defended himself, stating that the fund was not secret, nor had donors received special favors. He painted himself as a man of modest means (his wife had no mink coat; instead she wore a "respectable Republican cloth coat") and a patriot.[83] The speech was remembered for the gift which Nixon had received, but which he would not give back: "a little cocker spaniel dog ... sent all the way from Texas. And our little girl—Tricia, the 6-year-old—named it Checkers."[83] The speech prompted a huge public outpouring of support for Nixon.[85] Eisenhower decided to retain him on the ticket,[86] which proved victorious in the November election.[80]
Eisenhower gave Nixon more responsibilities during his term than any previous vice president.[87] Nixon attended Cabinet and National Security Council meetings and chaired them in Eisenhower's absence. A 1953 tour of the Far East succeeded in increasing local goodwill toward the United States, and gave Nixon an appreciation of the region as a potential industrial center. He visited Saigon and Hanoi in French Indochina.