Eisenhower Will Do His Duty and Accept a Call to the Presidency

The time from 1951 to 1952 has been called the American “Winter of Discontent”. Americans were frustrated by the stalemated Korean War, with no clear end in sight. President Truman would not commit to seeking another term and there were no other clear candidates in sight.

The nation looked for someone to lead it during this confusing time, and, as they did, more and more people turned to World War II leader Dwight D. Eisenhower, now the head of NATO and the Supreme Commander of Allied Forces. A Draft Ike movement was formed, led by New York Governor Thomas E. Dewey and Sen. Henry Cabot Lodge, Jr. of Massachusetts. They began an effort to persuade Ike to run, which formalized in the creation of an organization called the “National Citizens for Eisenhower.” In mid-January 1952, long after other candidates had already begun campaigning and just weeks before the start of the primary process, the movement got Eisenhower to state that while he would not actively seek a nomination, he would accept one if he truly felt called to a higher duty. On January 6, 1952, Sen. Lodge entered Eisenhower’s name into the New Hampshire Republican primary ballot without Ike’s permission.
Throughout January and February 1952, however, Eisenhower wrote to friends and family members saying that he was flattered by the movement, but did not really believe it was as widespread as the media implied. On March 11, 1952, however, Eisenhower convincingly won the New Hampshire primary.  He saw this victory as tangible proof that America was calling him to a higher duty. In April, he determined to leave the army and retired from active service on May 31, 1952. On June 4, he officially announced his candidacy for the Republican Party nomination for President.

In the wake of his triumph in New Hampshire, many people sent Eisenhower words of encouragement and urged  him to declare his candidacy. California judge Frank D. Parent was one of these.

Typed Letter Signed on his general’s letterhead, Supreme Allied Headquarters Europe, March 26, 1952, to Parent, repeating his personal wish for privacy but his willingness to serve as President if called upon. “…It goes without saying that I appreciate the very warm sentiments you express toward me. So far as personal desire is concerned, there has never been any change in my attitude that I want only a chance to live in peace and seclusion but, as I have repeated over and over again, I shall try to do my duty, whatever it may be.”