Nixon was no choirboy, that's for sure. But when Spiro Agnew was removed, Nixon did this country a huge favor by telling Nelson Rockefeller's people to piss off (Rockefeller wanted Nixon to pick him for vice president). Nixon knew whoever he picked for Vice President after Agnew would be president eventually because he knew they were gunning for him too.
Nixon saved the country from Nelson Rockefeller. And for that I will ever be grateful and consider him a patriot.