Presidential election
1952 presidential election
Dwight D. Eisenhower defeated Adlai Stevenson, winning 442 of 531 electoral votes and 55.2% of the popular vote.
Results
63.3%
Turnout rate
61.6M
Total votes cast
99.0M
Eligible voters
| State | Electoral votes | Winner | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York(NY) | 45 | RepublicanEisenhower | +11.5% |
| Pennsylvania(PA) | 32 | RepublicanEisenhower | +10.6% |
| Texas(TX) | 24 | RepublicanEisenhower | +6.1% |
| Florida(FL) | 10 | RepublicanEisenhower | +10% |
| Alabama(AL) | 11 | DemocraticStevenson | +28% |
Candidates
Party
RepublicanRunning mate
Richard Nixon
Home state
New York
Age at election
62
Previous position
Supreme Allied Commander (WWII), NATO Commander
Campaign slogan
"I Like Ike"
Popular vote
34.1M
(55.2%)
Electoral votes
442
Party
DemocraticRunning mate
John Sparkman
Home state
Illinois
Age at election
52
Previous position
Governor of Illinois
Popular vote
27.4M
(44.3%)
Electoral votes
89
War Veterans
Eisenhower
60%
Suburban Families
Eisenhower
58%
Solid South
Stevenson
52%
Key events
'Checkers' Speech
Nixon saved his VP nomination with emotional TV speech
Ike Pledges Korea Visit
'I shall go to Korea' resonated with war-weary nation
Issues & context
End of 20 years of Democratic rule. Ike was beloved WWII hero. 'K1C2' (Korea, Communism, Corruption) was Republican formula. First real TV campaign. Stevenson eloquent but couldn't compete with Ike's appeal.
Prosperous but Korean War draining resources. Inflation concerns. Post-WWII boom continuing. Consumer economy growing.
Truman unpopular, chose not to run. Democrats had been in power 20 years. Ike's above-politics appeal was unmatched.
Ended 20-year Democratic era. 'Modern Republicanism' accepted New Deal. Korean War ended. Interstate Highway System followed. Civil rights progress slow.
Did you know?
- 1.'I Like Ike' was simplest, most effective slogan
- 2.Nixon's 'Checkers' speech was first political TV event
- 3.Ike broke Solid South in Texas and Florida
- 4.First campaign with significant TV advertising
- 5.Stevenson was too intellectual for TV era