Eisenhower’s Power Lessons

Why Ike was an upper echelon President 

Eisenhower wasn't a proto Forrest Gump, despite his reputation as a simple man and a flawed military strategist, Eisenhower in War and Peace argues that Eisenhower’s political skill places him in the upper echelon of twentieth century presidents. According to Jean Edward Smith:

Ike moved by subtlety and indirection. His amiable personality and avuncular enthusiasm concealed a calculating political instinct that had been honed to perfection.

Eisenhower wasn't a principled man like Cato, he was practical like Machiavelli’s prince. Smith uses Ike’s example to teach how of cultivate and use political power.

Take Advantage of Opportunities

Ike was undeniably lucky. He was sent to Europe during WWII as a stand-in for General Marshall. He was selected to lead Operation TORCH only because the Joint Chiefs never expected the invasion to take place.

On the battlefield, Eisenhower did just enough to remain the commander of Allied forces. The inexperienced Americans performed poorly in North Africa, but finally prevailed by out supplying the Germans. Ike also did little distinguish himself in the Invasion of Italy. The Allies won, but he underestimated the German resistance, over estimated the Italian support, and prematurely declared victory.

Despite the criticism of his battlefield leadership, Eisenhower developed deep political connections. The gained the trust of the British as a coalition leader able to see past national differences. When General Marshall’s relationship with Churchill made it impossible for FDR to nominate Marshall to lead the cross-Channel invasion of France, Ike seduced FDR into nominating him.

Through political cunning, not battlefield exploits, Ike positioned himself to be seen as Europe’s liberator.

The Advantage of Patrons

That so many powerful men were willing to step in on Eisenhower’s behalf is evidence of his political skill. There were two cliques in the interwar Army — one lead by MacArthur and the other by Pershing — Ike received favors from both — getting plucked from dead end assignments and placed into prized roles. Eisenhower’s amazing wartime ascent was fueled by the patronage of General Marshall, FDR and Churchill.

When his post-war appointment as the president of Columbia began to look like a dead end, Truman and Forestall rescued him by appointing him the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

The Reality of Perceptions

Eisenhower was happy to be seen how others wanted to see him. The world needed a hero and Ike was happy to play the part. According to General Lucius Clay:

“The American people took him for what they wanted Americans to be. I don’t think they really cared much about what he stood for.”

Besides his careful crafted political image, Eisenhower utilized several tactics to enhance his reputation.

1. Ambiguity — Rather than taking a definite position or oppose his superiors, Ike preferred to be ambiguous. When Eisenhower wanted to liberate Paris against FDR wishes, he made the decision seem like a tactical necessity rather than an international relations decision. To minimize the risk of a failed run for President in 1952, Ike walked a tight rope encouraging supporters to rally public support, yet at the same time refusing to commit.
2. Use others to clear mind fields — While meeting to discuss the occupation Germany, Russian General Zhukov told Ike how he used German POW’s to clear mind fields. Eisenhower may have modified the strategy for political purposes; he often used Vice President Nixon and Secretary of State Dulles to clear political mind fields, allowing him to cross unscathed.

Delegation

Eisenhower’s extensive use of delegation spawned his reputation of being a simple man, but was also the source of success as Commander of Allied Forces and President.

For Ike as the Commander of Allied Forces in Europe delegating was an acknowledgement that his warfare commanders had more battlefield experience than he did and deferring to their judgement helped reduce national friction between coalition forces.

Delegating to cabinet members as President, allowed Eisenhower to focus on the issues of great significance. Ike’s staff system was a contrast to Truman’s which got bogged down in the volume of decision an administration needs to make.

A smoothly functioning staff system was long overdue. Ike was determined to keep routine matters out of the White House, saving his time to deal with those of major importance. Only when matters were of nation importance or when administration policy was unclear, did Eisenhower expect to be consulted. Eisenhower expected the cabinet to present option and argue with one another about the superiority of one course of action or another.

You can find more of Steve’s writing at sabrooks.com