After the World Series, Harvey's and Burt's attention shifts to the 1952 presidential election.
The Republicans choose (retired General) Dwight David "Ike" Eisenhower, who seven years earlier had been an American military hero at the conclusion of World War II. He led the D Day invasion at Normandy. Ike is still very popular among Americans in general. There were Democrats who wanted him to lead their ticket.
However, with Eisenhower unavailable, the Democrats choose Governor Adlai Stevenson of Illinois. During the war, he had served as Special Assistant to the Secretary of the Navy.
As a businessman, Harvey's natural inclination is to vote Republican. He also very much likes Ike's persona as a general and a former football player at West Point.
Burt appreciates Stevenson's appeal to "the young, emergent postwar intellectual class" which he wants to be part of. He also likes that Stevenson is a popular and effective public speaker.
On the other hand, Ike's "words were unfocused and all over the map. His public speeches were even worse. He was unable to make his point to the voting public in a clear, legible manner. Ike needed to condense his message down to a few simple, easily digestible slogans." His most effective one is "I like Ike."
"Stevenson was ridiculed in some quarters (including Harvey) as too effeminate to be president. The staunchly conservative New York Daily News called him 'Adelaide'." Stewart Alsop, a Connecticut Republican, called him an "egghead."
Despite the above negativity, Burt appreciates Stevenson's oratory. At the Democratic Convention, he said, "The ordeal of the twentieth century is far from over. Sacrifice, patience, understanding and implacable purpose may be our lot for years to come. Let's talk sense to the American people. Let's tell them the truth, that there are no gains without pains, that we are now on the eve of great decisions."
In mid-October 1952, Ike has perhaps an insurmountable lead of nine points in the public opinion polls. Burt believes there is only one thing that could turn the tables: a televised presidential debate between the two candidates. Stevenson would murder him.
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