Eisenhower told RNC chairman Len Hall that Nixon, while having done a fine job as vice president, was “making a mistake” in seeking to stay on the ticket: “I think he would do better by taking a Cabinet post.” Even so, Eisenhower would not directly order Nixon off the ticket. Ike did not like confrontation and hated to deliver bad news. He hoped Nixon would interpret the offer of a cabinet job as a presidential command. But Nixon did not comply.
