It's what vice president Spiro Agnew used to call the nattering nabobs of negativism.

NPR: Roundtable: Rice Takes Heat, Graduation Gap

In 1968, Nixon picked Maryland Gov. Spiro Agnew, who certainly brought his fair share of problems.

CNN: How Ryan could help Romney

One of Nixon's vice presidents, Spiro Agnew, was at the center of a scandal.

CNN: Paul Ryan: From 'It boy' to calamity

That was the special election held to replace Rep. Gerald Ford (R-MI), who had become Nixon's vice president in the aftermath of Spiro Agnew's resignation.

NPR: GOP Nervous About Trends in Special House Races

C. to work for Spiro Agnew, and then for Richard Nixon.

NEWYORKER: Battleground America

Inflation, oil embargoes, gas lines and political scandal culminating in the resignations of Spiro Agnew (October 1973) and Richard Nixon (August 1974) sent stocks straight south.

FORBES: It's 1974 Again

The 1973-74 recession was psychologically worse because it happened during a 48% stock market drop, the first OPEC embargo, and the resignations of Spiro Agnew and Richard Nixon.

FORBES: Great Recession Did Not Have To Be Great

Spiro Agnew is long gone, but his words linger.

FORBES: Pawlenty versus Bachmann

Political uncertainty and fear were off the charts, as Vice President Spiro Agnew resigned in November 1973 and Nixon in August 1974, while the Vietnam War was heading for its final, ugly conclusion in April 1975.

FORBES: The 1970s' Little Depression

In 1973, when Vice President Spiro Agnew was forced to step down in a kickback scandal, Richard Nixon named Gerald Ford to replace him, in part because Ford was House minority leader, which made quick approval in Congress more likely.

CNN: Heart Murmurs