Political Buttons from the Button Museum
I Like Ike, c. 1952
Efforts to persuade Dwight D. Eisenhower (nicknamed Ike) to run for President began as early as 1948, when the popular general was still chief of staff of the U.S. Army. At that time, Eisenhower demurred, refusing even to say which party he would represent, citing Army regulations that prohibited soldiers from participating in politics. A few years later, the issue re-emerged as the nation grew restless with the Truman presidency and the lack of progress in the Korean War. The slogan on the button was developed by a marketing executive who had conducted research showing that voters trusted and felt comfortable with Ike but didn't like to describe their views on all the issues. Eisenhower ultimately ran as a Republican, defeating Adlai Stevenson in the 1952 general election.