Final answer:
Nixon's New Federalism program included increased government spending and programs like OSHA, which seemed against conservative principles of small government, surprising his conservative supporters. His policies exhibited a mix of conservative and liberal elements aimed at appealing to a broader electorate, including blue-collar workers and moderate southerners.
Step-by-step explanation:
One reason why Nixon's domestic program, the "New Federalism," surprised many of his conservative supporters was because it seemed to expand rather than limit the role of government, which was contrary to conservative principles. Nixon increased spending for federal entitlement programs like Social Security and Medicare, which did not align with a traditional conservative agenda aimed at reducing government spending. Furthermore, he supported the creation of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), which enforced regulations on workplace safety, again expanding government oversight. This could be seen as contrary to conservative ideals of small government and deregulation.
Nixon's efforts to appeal to fiscal conservatives in the Republican Party were mixed with his need to collaborate with a Democratic Party-controlled Congress, leading to policies that seemed at odds with conservative expectations. In practice, his New Federalism initiative expanded the use of federal block grants to states, which allowed for greater state discretion without federal oversight, but his overall economic and social actions often meant greater federal involvement.
Moreover, Nixon sought to gain support from diverse voter demographics, including the so-called silent majority, who were typically northern, blue-collar workers and who felt neglected by the government's focus on marginalized groups. These strategic moves to gain broader electoral support may have led to policy decisions that unsettled Nixon's conservative base.