Although a Democrat, he called himself "a [[conservative]] who believed in active government." And in 1971, he became [[Richard Nixon]]'s [[Secretary of the Treasury]]. In 1972, he vacated the treasury secretary's position to organize the political action committee "Democrats for Nixon" to support President Nixon's reelection. Connally switched political parties from the Democrat to Republican in 1973. He briefly tested the presidential waters in 1980, but failed to win the Republican Party nomination (He received only one delegate.) in part because of a "wheeler-dealer" image from the media. After the 1980 primary, he left politics and returned to private life. | Although a Democrat, he called himself "a [[conservative]] who believed in active government." And in 1971, he became [[Richard Nixon]]'s [[Secretary of the Treasury]]. In 1972, he vacated the treasury secretary's position to organize the political action committee "Democrats for Nixon" to support President Nixon's reelection. Connally switched political parties from the Democrat to Republican in 1973. He briefly tested the presidential waters in 1980, but failed to win the Republican Party nomination (He received only one delegate.) in part because of a "wheeler-dealer" image from the media. After the 1980 primary, he left politics and returned to private life. |