Hazlett

Hazlett also opined that Milton Eisenhower would be a “natural” for president.

Eisenhower 1956 David A. Nichols 2011

Ike repeated that theme with Swede Hazlett and confronted the haunting thought that a man in his situation might become a semi-invalid and “slow up operations, impede the work of all his subordinates, and, by so doing, actually damage the cause for which he may even think he is giving some years of his life.”

Eisenhower 1956 David A. Nichols 2011

His agreement to undertake this stressful tour proved that his words to Swede Hazlett following the announcement of his candidacy on February 29 had been prophetic: “Politicians begin to get scared about the middle of October.”

Eisenhower 1956 David A. Nichols 2011

He rejected the hands-off approach Hazlett had suggested because he would want a successor who would carry on his program if he decided not to run.

Eisenhower 1956 David A. Nichols 2011

This plan was not new, except to Hagerty; Eisenhower had outlined the same scenario in his October 26 letter to Swede Hazlett.

Eisenhower 1956 David A. Nichols 2011

He wrote Swede Hazlett that he still worried about what might transpire in the coming months.1 “I am a competitor, a fighter,” Ike confessed.

Eisenhower 1956 David A. Nichols 2011

Ike later wrote Swede Hazlett that he had been ordered “to avoid all situations that tend to bring about such reactions as irritation, frustration, anxiety, fear and, above all, anger,” and had snapped at the doctors, “Just what do you think the presidency is?”

Eisenhower 1956 David A. Nichols 2011

He had fended off counterarguments from brother Milton, son John, and friends like Swede Hazlett and George E. Allen.

Eisenhower 1956 David A. Nichols 2011

“Swede” Hazlett, his high school friend from Abilene who had been forced into early retirement from the Navy due to a heart condition.

Eisenhower 1956 David A. Nichols 2011

Through the years, Ike had often relieved his stress at difficult moments by thinking on paper with friends whose discretion he could trust, especially Swede Hazlett.

Eisenhower 1956 David A. Nichols 2011