The Keys to the White House: 1952 Turn and Democratic Convention

[GoTfan]

Thomas Kenway

Unable to attend the Democratic convention due to an ongoing legal battle at home, Kenway was nonetheless overjoyed when he heard of Eisennhower's nomination by the Democrats. A VBA member in the White House! It was almost too good to be true. The organisation really had come a long way from its small 1948 founding.

Immediately, Kenway went to work, mustering a now-formidable VBA for the purpose of electing Eisenhower. THose who had served under him in the European Theater of Operations were the tip of the spear, and Kenway in particular was vocal: "I served under Ike in Europe, and there is no better man to lead this country!"

He would campaign heavily across the state, when not arguing cases in court, that is. His public service career was very important to him, especially with his fervent belief in an assumption of innocence before guilt. His primary campaign areas were among farmers and veterans, emphasising Eisenhower's war record in contrast to the incumbent President and the need for aid to farmers, as well as strongly supporting the family farm over an increase in large-scale corporate farming.

He made a name for himself as an organiser, and began making moves towards office himself down the line, but also wieghed up whether or not to run for Congress and sought the advice of various contacts he had made over the years.

[GoTfan]

Thomas Kenway

Kenway was ecstatic. He had successfully led Ike's campaign in Iowa and had seemingly made some good friends in high places. Eisenhower had offered him Chairman of the Board of Veterans' Appeals. A tempting position to be sure. His work with VBA was one of the things that doubtless had grabbed attention, but he wasn't sure. Jumping straight to the charimanship rubbed him the wrong way.

Some of the offers he'd gotten though were interesting. Then there was Gillette. Was he being sincere? he had no reason to doubt him. And going to Congress had bee a dream of his since entering law, and now he had one laid out for him? Turning it down would be just dumb.

In 1953, Kenway spent time meeting with party leaders throughut the state to gauge receptiveness for a Senate candidacy. To his surprise, they were enthusiastic about putting him up. It appeared his work on Ike's campaign, Presidency of VBA and listing at 12 on Life's Politics 40 under 40 ("Not bad for some rookie lawyer from Iowa City" he remarked) had propelled his name forward.

In January 1954, after spending the entire previous year gathering staff, finding donors and strategising, he announced his candidacy for the United States Senate in Iowa. He would also campaign for Herschel C. Loveless in the governor's race. He announced his support for a range of progressive measures, advocating for universal healthcare and increased infrastructure investment, as well as campaigning on on relief for family farms, always a key issue in Iowa. In doing so, he staked out his territory with the working and middle classes, as well has his fellow veterans

In July 1953, he finally married his before-the-war sweetheart Leah Gladwell, and by the dawn of the new year, it was apparent their first child was on the way.

Points:

2 for Kenway's Senate campaign term (1955-1961)
2 for Herschel C. Loveless' campaign for governor
2 for William M. Jack's campaign for Governor of Wyoming