As Nixon prepared for the August 1968 Republican National Convention in Miami Beach , he discussed possible running mates with his staff . Among these were Ronald Reagan , the conservative Governor of California ; and the more liberal Mayor of New York City , John Lindsay . Nixon felt that these high-profile names could split the party , and looked for a less divisive figure . He did not indicate a preferred choice , and Agnew 's name was not raised at this stage . Agnew was intending to go to the convention with his Maryland delegation as a favorite son , uncommitted to any of the main candidates
1968 Republican National Convention
1968 Republican National Convention
Spiro Agnew