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nixon hero
Modern conservatives and tea-party people: what do you think of President Eisenhower?

I loved the man: he got us out of Korea, was wary of foreign entanglements, supported de-segregation, presided over economic growth and stability for eight years, was openly critical of the Military Industrial Complex, was an American hero, was not a polarizing figure, used moderation, stood up for Israel against Britain and France during the Suez Crisis...a great man. So, how do you feel about him? I wonder sometimes b/c most conservatives I know bring up the greatness of Reagan, Nixon, Bush, George H.W. Bush, but Ike is rarely mentioned.

Ted,
you bring up some interesting points about Eisenhower the President. However, he really was not a stand out in the front sort of person in regards to desegregation. As a matter of fact, most historians have stated that it was an issue that he did not want to confront and deal with. His anti-military industrial complex stance was something that came about as he was then much older in his farewell address to the nation. During Churchill's second term as Prime Minister he told Churchill that the Soviet Union was the same "old wh0re she always was"; he understood most of all that there was need for a counter to the Soviet threat at the time. He attempted to assist the French in 1953 and again in 1954 in Viet Nam but ironically it would be Senator Lyndon B. Johnson that would set the gears in motion to prevent this assistance. Ironic, as you know it would be LBJ 10 yeas later that would set the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution in motion (LBJ would recall what he did to Ike and use that in his ploy to push the troops into Viet Nam).

Anyway, Clinton benefitted from what Reagan did in the 1980's (economically speaking during his Presidency), Nixon would never cheat on his wife and got the troops out of Viet Nam (Kennedy?), Nixon also started the EPA - my most die hard left leaning friends have told me countless amounts of times that Nixon was the last true Liberal President the USA has had (granted he had his issues with personal vendettas that cannot be denied either); had Bush #1 stood his ground in the first Gulf War there would not have been what we have had for the last 9 years in terms of deaths related to combat activity; however, had Clinton did what he was supposed to have done during the 10 times he had the chance to eliminate him (May 1999 - April 2000) - Osama Bin Laden would not be the common name it is today. Bush #2 had his faults but the Press treats President Obama differently (though over the past 2 months this has noticeably changed - especially the Washington Post a Democrat friendly newspaper) than previous Republican counterparts.

What do I think of Eisenhower? Great President who was not any more/any less perfect or good than any of his predecessors or prodecessors. He did a good job and I am encouraged when I hear of kids in my neighborhood learn ANYTHING about ANY American President.

All the best,
Gerry D.

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ED Nixon: The Forgotten Hero (short clip) 1983