Gore and Eisenhower (11/5/07)

[rosesaylavee]

http://gore-obama2008.blogspot.com/2007/11/gore-and-eisenhower.html


"....

So, it does not appear that Gore can be persuaded to run just yet. But we should remember that, at this same time fifty-five years ago, a group of citizens intent on drafting Dwight Eisenhower to enter the presidential race encountered the same unwillingness from their prospective nominee. In the years of 1951 and 1952, the American "Winter of Discontent," Americans frustrated by the stalemated Korean War were looking for new leadership. Draft Eisenhower movements sprung up in both the Democratic and Republican parties, but Eisenhower refused to even commit to a political party because of his role as a general of the military.

In December of 1951, Harry Truman wrote to Eisenhower and said, "I wish you would let me know what you intend to do." Eisenhower responded: "I do not feel that I have any duty to seek a political nomination." The Republicans next tired to persuade him to run and created an organization called the "National Citizens for Eisenhower". At the time, Robert Taft was the front-runner for the nomination, but Republicans began to prefer Eisenhower's less isolationist views. Still, Eisenhower repeatedly stated that he would not seek the nomination. But, in January of 1952, months after other candidates had begun campaigning and just weeks before the start of the primaries, Eisenhower said he would consider serving if he was nominated. On January 6, 1952, Eisenhower's entered Eisenhower's name into the New Hampshire primary ballot without Eisenhower's permission. After they did that, Eisenhower stated that if he was offered the Republican nomination for the presidency, he would accept it. But he did not actively campaign for the nomination.

A Draft Eisenhower rally in Madison Square Garden on February 8th garnered 25,000 supporters. was scheduled to be held in Madison Square Garden on that day. The event planners expected no more than 16,000 supporters (and such was the capacity), yet over 25,000 showed up, and the New York police and fire marshalls could get very few people to leave. When Eisenhower won the New Hampshire primaries, on March 11th, 1952, he said "any American who would have that many other Americans pay him that compliment would be proud or he would not be an American." The next day Eisenhower entered the presidential contest, went on to win his party's nomination and governed the country for eight years.

Could something similar happen in this day and age? Why not? Is there not still hope, still idealism, in America? Do we not still want greatness from our leaders? For Gore supporters, it is not time to give up. It is time to get busy. If we can get Gore on the ballot in some key early states, he may yet see that the time for change has indeed come."

[mopinko]

1. i think that bringing back that kind of direct democracy

is part of al's plan. he has clearly stated that he does not approved of the 600+ day campaigns. what better was to show the folly of that than to stir it up at the last minute?
and i want to add that many people have attributed al's pained expression at the constant "will you" questions to lack of desire to run. i think it is just his exasperation at the question, and the stupid horserace news coverage.