1952

Dwight D. Eisenhower
Candidate
Popular
Electoral
Dwight D. Eisenhower
Republican
33,936,137
442
Adlai E. Stevenson
Democrat
27,314,649
89

Dwight D. Eisenhower
(public domain)
Ike Walton

42A-1067124

Robert Taft, although quite willing to run, was not nominated in 1952. Instead, the Republicans put up the popular Dwight D. Eisenhower. This caused a split in the Republican Party between Taft's and Eisenhower's supporters. Eisenhower, however, succeeded in winning Taft over to his camp (42A-1067124)

Adlai Stevenson, reluctant to run at first, was nominated by the Democrats after Truman announced that he wouldn't run again. Stevenson appealed to the more liberal intellectuals, hence this advice from "Coach Truman." (42B-1067125) But in the wake of McCarthyism, the people were suspicious of Stevenson's wit and preferred the homespun wisdom of Eisenhower.

And to the Left!

42B-1067125

The Republicans campaigned on the slogan "it's time for a change," and criticized the Democrats for scandalous practices. But the Republicans were not immune from accusations themselves. Vice presidential candidate Richard M. Nixon had to appear on television to defend himself from allegations of illegal financing while a senator. Nixon was seen as a blemish on the Republican Party (42C-106712642D-1067127). But his famous "cloth coat," or "Checkers" speech brought a favorable response from the American people and he remained on the ticket to be elected to the White House with "Ike."

Related Links:
Gib Crockett cartoon drawings.
From the Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Collections.

"Army-Navy Football Programs - Gib Crockett". From the Vintage College Football Programs blog.