[lbo-talk] "I like rightists"

[Politicus E.]

SA directs our attention to the following:  'The Chinese surprised
Nixon almost immediately. Taken to the government’s guest house to
rest, Nixon was interrupted just as he was about to enter the shower:
Chairman Mao wanted to meet the president. Mao and Nixon joked about
their unlikely encounter, with Nixon telling the Chairman, "You’re
quite aware of my sentiments with regards to Communism. I’m considered
to be a rightist." Mao responded, "Oh, I like rightists." To which
Nixon countered, "Sometimes those on the right can do things which
those on the left can only talk about."'

Presumably, the goal is to insinuate that Mao was a rightist.  As
Henwood notes, Nixon might have been lying;  I think it is difficult
to deny this possibility.  On the other hand, it is immaterial if Mao
did say such a thing.

The Nixon-Mao meeting was one of the most important diplomatic
encounters in the twentieth century.  There was an important political
agenda at stake for the parties to the talks.  A certain decorum is
the norm at such diplomatic meetings.  You did not expect Mao to say
to Nixon "you capitalist pig, I'm going to kill you" now did you?

There are no doubt many good reasons to criticize Mao.  But it seems
to me that this is not one.

epoliticus