legitimate viewpoint. He closed by saying "But I would be less than frank if I should

give you the impression that I intend to tailor my opinions and convictions to the one

single measure of net vote appeal. I know, of course, that you have no such thought in

mind and I certainly appreciate your spirit of helpfulness and guidance."90 Of course,

this is what Dewey, Lodge, and others had done throughout the campaign. Their

reluctance to promote a conservative issue reflected their strategy of focusing on

Eisenhower's popularity to attract a broad swath of voters, including those outside of

the party's base.

 As the Republican precinct day approached, the groundswell for Eisenhower

was tremendous. The Texas organization benefited from financial support from the oil

and cattle interests, the two largest industries in the state, making voter mobilization

easier. The publicity surrounding the Tidelands issue and its impact on the state's

education system, the beneficiary of the state's mineral leasing revenue, also had bi-

partisan appeal. On May 3, the GOP held its precinct meetings throughout the state.

Normally, since the state party was so small, it was not uncommon for these

gatherings to be held at the homes of prominent Republicans. This was the case in

1952 but, since the Dicker Bill mandated that the meetings be publicly announced, a

number of prominent Old Guard officials found their living rooms besieged by Ike

supporters. Around the state, formerly Democratic citizens who suddenly found an

urge to join the GOP outvoted longtime Republican supporters. Their votes

overwhelmingly went to delegates pledged to Eisenhower. In a few cases, these

elections stood. In others, the precinct captain, usually the homeowner, called a

second meeting to order on the front lawn and selected a rival slate of delegates

favoring Taft. These rump delegations were elected in Houston, Dallas, and even in

90 Dwight D. Eisenhower, Letter to Henry Cabot Lodge, 20 May 1952. Copy in Folder (Henry Cabot
Lodge, Jr.), Box 72, Eisenhower Pre-Presidential Papers.