I Like Ike!

Tuesday, July 8, 2008Subject: I Like IkeTime: 4:44:00 PM EDTAuthor: cicero390 Edit Entry Delete Entry
Both parties approached Dwight Eisenhower to be their candidate for President in 1952. Harry Truman was stepping down and the GOP was desperate to win back the White House for the first time in 20 years. Ike decided to be a Republican. With that, the Republicans won the elections in 1952 and 1956. Ike was too popular to beat.
The Democrats nominated Adlai Stevenson both times. He was a boring intellectual. Stevenson campaign ads featured the candidate droning on and on...he bored people to death. By contrast, Ike's ads were quick and to the point. In both elections, Ike won big.
Eisenhower served two successful terms in office. He ended the Korean War, built the national highway system, integrated Little Rock High School, and balanced the budget. Additionally, he kept much of the New Deal in place. He left office extremely popular. Had he been healthy enough to campaign in 1960 for Richard Nixon, or had he not been limited to two terms by the Constitution, Kennedy would have stood no chance.