Trap Avoided

Friends of Eisenhower were worried over a possible trap. How could he answer the inevitable (and legitimate) question whether he would campaign for Taft if Taft should be nominated? If he said no, Republican leaders would resent it. If he said yes, he would be promising to campaign for Taft while still a general. If he were the nominee, he could retire; but would he retire if Taft is nominated?

Ike solved the problem by requesting the Defense Department to stop his pay ($19,541 a year) as of May 31. He went on the retired list as of that date, thus freed himself for full political activity.