The ousting of diplomats like Thayer, the combing of libraries, and the allegations of treachery, all this was “to them a familiar and frightening scene.” Reed felt the “stature of [Eisenhower’s] administration” was “impaired” overseas, and he hoped to see “strong statements” that countered McCarthy’s allegations. Eisenhower calmly replied, “To attempt to answer in terms of personal criticism is to place yourself in the hands of the attacker.” If the president were to “point his finger at any particular individual, meaning to name anyone specifically, he automatically gives to that individual
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