that helped their nomination effort. Calls for a viable two-party system did not apply

to Florida, even though Garrison argued his case on the same fundamental issues as

the pro-Eisenhower groups of the South. The tone of the comments also indicate that

the Eisenhower campaign had a difficult time in downplaying Taft's policy goals and

legislative record. The appeals to a moral issue garnered more press and made a more

sensational story, pushing the matter of Eisenhower's qualifications and experience

further out of the public spotlight. The General's popularity-based strategy was

supplemented by an emotionally charged appeal for justice and democracy.

 On July 1, the RNC met to approve the temporary roll of the national

convention, meaning they would hear from the disputed delegations first. This was a

mere formality, as the Credentials Committee still had to hear the contests and the

convention had to adopt the permanent roll. On July 2, the RNC voted to seat the pro-

Taft Georgia group by a vote of sixty-two to thirty-nine. The New York Times called

this "Taft's most impressive victory so far." Lodge disagreed and charged "The Taft

machine may think that they have won a temporary victory, but they will find that

public opinion will not stand for such disgraceful shenanigans."55 Taft, thanks to his

control of the RNC machinery, appeared poised to move past the delegate contests

and begin the convention as the clear frontrunner.

 As the RNC heard the Louisiana and Texas contests, the war of words between

the candidate organizations continued in the press. On July 1, three Republican

Governors, Dewey, Sherman Adams of New Hampshire, and Douglas McKay of

Oregon, each sent telegrams to the RNC calling for the seating of the pro-Eisenhower

Texas delegation. The trio had gathered in Houston as part of the Conference of the

Governor's of the United States and took the opportunity to once again use their

55 Henry Cabot Lodge, Press Release, 2 July 1952. Copy in Folder (News Releases by Henry Cabot
Lodge), Box 2, Young and Rubicam Papers