The Age of Eisenhower: America and the World in the 1950s

by William I. Hitchcock

But that sort of carping could not contend with the rousing chorus of approval from Republican activists who understood what a godsend Eisenhower was for their party. At its national meeting, the Republican National Committee (RNC), now under the direction of former New York congressman Leonard Hall, passed a glowing, worshipful resolution praising Eisenhower in language that bordered on a cult of personality: “In Dwight Eisenhower we have a political leader whose vigor, judgment and wisdom have breathed fresh life, energy and determination into our party organization.” There was something godly about the man: Ike had become, the party leaders stated, “not only the political leader but the spiritual leader of our times. We thank him and salute him.”