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For two years Charlie Halleck served ably and happily as majority leader. Then the roof caved in. In the Republican Convention of 1948, Halleck adroitly swung Indiana's delegation from Taft to Thomas E. Dewey—in return for the promise that he would get the vice-presidential nomination. But Dewey. fearful of Halleck's prewar isolationism, withdrew from the bargain. Today, Charlie Halleck still froths at the mention of Dewey's name, insists that his own give-em-hell brand of campaigning would have won the election. In defeat, Dewey took Republican Congressmen down with him; Martin resumed his position as G.O.P floor leader, and Halleck disconsolately moved down.
Up & Down. In 1952 Halleck finally got behind a presidential winner: Dwight Eisenhower, with whom Halleck had had only a casual acquaintance. Denied even a delegate's seat at the nominating convention by Indiana's dominant Taft forces, Halleck went to Chicago anyhow, worked effectively behind the scenes, and was rewarded when Ike placed his name on a list of five acceptable running mates. Although Richard Nixon got the final nod, things certainly seemed to be looking up for Halleck.
Instead, his troubles were only beginning. In the Republican 83rd Congress he was again majority leader—but Joe Martin still stood above him as Speaker. Halleck thought briefly about contesting Joe. decided against it. served restlessly for two more years as second man in the G.O.P.'s House hierarchy.
Frustration piled on frustration. Martin, his leadership abilities plainly waning, promised that if Republicans lost the 1954 elections he would not again seek the floor minority leadership. But the Republicans did lose, and Martin changed his mind. This time Halleck determined to fight. He rallied his followers and could count enough votes to win. He needed only the approval of President Eisenhower. But Ike. afraid that a factional fight in the House would endanger the Administration's legislative program, turned him down. Glumly, Halleck stepped aside. Again, in 1956. Halleck moved to oust Martin as leader. Again he rounded up enough votes. Again the President withheld approval. Charlie Halleck had had about enough. More and more he drew within himself, spending hours drowning his gloom in his hideaway office. At one point he told President Eisenhower that he would not be running again for Congress. Ike persuaded him to change his mind, Halleck ran for re-election last fall—and barely survived the Democratic landslide.
Open Road. That landslide, at long last, opened the road to leadership for Charlie Halleck. Meeting in Washington after the Republican fiasco, a group of Republican Congressmen decided that Joe Martin's failing leadership was a luxury they could no longer afford. They decided that Martin must go. then and only then sought out Halleck to offer him the job. Once again Halleck asked for Dwight Eisenhower's approval—and this time the President had nothing to say. Old Joe Martin, smiling manfully through his tears, fought desperately, but he was beaten from the beginning. On Jan. 7. 1959. after 24 years of working toward it. Indiana's Charlie Halleck finally assumed the top spot among House Republicans. His performance since is beginning to make the long wait seem worthwhile.