I Like Ike

Back when I first started this blog, I did a short segment on Dwight D. Eisenhower’s. As the blog has now come to the point chronologically where Eisenhower belongs.

(Image courtesy of Wagner College)

This campaign is unique in the sense that Eisenhower did not openly declare his intent to run for president. Instead, as much as the public pressured him into running for office, he declined running in 1948 and remained withdrawn from the political world until he was nominated for the Republican candidacy in 1952.

Dwight Eisenhower was a popular figure in the post-World War II era. He was a celebrated war hero after leading the Allied forces to victory in Europe. Eisenhower then went on to lead the newly formed North Atlantic Treaty Organization in protecting the world from the perceived threat of communism.

What made Eisenhower truly special was his dedication to his country. Through his exemplary military service he showed his determined sense of duty. He believed that he could better serve this duty by remaining in a position that benefit America’s security. However by 1951 in the light of the Korean War, the American public was losing faith in the President Truman’s leadership. America seemed to have a new calling for General Eisenhower: the presidency. Nonetheless, Eisenhower continued to insist that he did not feel he had the “duty to seek a political nomination” but would “respond if called to a higher duty.”

The public had created a “Draft Eisenhower” movement in attempts to persuade the General into running for office. In January 1952, leaders of the movement had entered Eisenhower into the New Hampshire primaries, an action which Eisenhower did not reject. In February, the Draft Eisenhower movement held a rally in Madison Square Garden, a film of which was then shown to Eisenhower. Following many displays of immense support from the American public and victory in the New Hampshire primary, Eisenhower decided to retire from the military and run for president.

“I Like Ike” became the phrase that the crowds gathered around. It truly represented the atmosphere surrounding the candidate. In fact, the early days of Draft Eisenhower Movement had both Democrats and Republicans trying to persuade him to run. Eisenhower transcended the party barrier and had achieved national popularity. “I Like Ike” resonated with many of the citizens of America leading to Eisenhower’s landslide victory in 1952.

“I Like Ike” was one of the first campaign slogans to find its way to the television screen. For a minute, a cartoon parade marched to Washington D.C. cheerfully singing “I Like Ike.” The advertisement was cute and catchy and certainly conveyed the popular opinion about Eisenhower.