"Checker's Big Speech". While running for VP under Eisenhower, Nixon was accused of accepting illegal campaign contributions. On September 23, 1952, Nixon went on nationwide TV and gave what came to be known as the "Checkers Speech". One of the contributions he had received was a cocker spaniel which his daughters named Checkers. The gift of this dog could have been made in to an issue but Nixon said "the kids, like all kids, love the dog and I just want to say this right now, that regardless of what they say about it, we're gonna keep it".