Republican who had advocated positions in opposition to Taft seized control of the

party by promoting a hollow candidate distinguishable from the Democrats only

because of his popularity and his party label. The early part of the campaign was

based on Eisenhower's smile and, once the General retired his commission and

returned to the United States, most of the rhetoric seemed to be designed to co-opt

Taft's message. This, combined with the role of the press and the political backroom

dealings in a number of state delegations, made Eisenhower's nomination seem like

an illegitimate power grab to many conservatives. Taft knew he had been beaten, he

just did not believe his opponents had engaged in a fair fight.