National Affairs: Wanted: Bright Young Man

Eisenhower had some ideas about the sort of fellow he wanted for a running mate: a young, "forward-looking" man, and someone who would help him get along with Congress. Among others, he considered Senators Knowland and Nixon, Governors Warren, Sherman Adams (New Hampshire), Val Peterson (Nebraska), Dan Thornton (Colorado). Brother Milton Eisenhower plugged for Taft; although Eisenhower advisers thought that Taft 1) would be bad for the ticket, 2) would not accept anyway. Eisenhower left the final decision to a meeting of his advisers, presided over by Herbert Brownell, at the Hilton, on the afternoon of his nomination. The meeting quickly...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!