The following passage (CHT Jesse Walker) from Ehrlichman’s Witness to Power: The Nixon Years, quoting Nixon on same-sex marriage in 1970 –
I can’t go that far; that’s the year 2000! Negroes [and whites], okay. But that’s too far!
– irresistibly reminds me of these lines toward the end of the recent Doctor Who episode “Day of the Moon,” set in 1969:
DOCTOR: Canton just wants to get married. Hell of a reason to kick him out of the FBI.
NIXON: I’m sure something can be arranged. … This person you want to marry – black?
CANTON: Yes …
NIXON: I know what people think of me, but perhaps I’m a little more liberal –
CANTON: … he is.
NIXON: I think the moon is far enough for now, don’t you, Mr. Delaware?
CANTON: I figured it might be.
It struck me because I’d seen DW viewers complaining that it was “unrealistic” that Nixon would even have so much as considered the issue of same-sex marriage.