A Different America: 1956, The Eisenhower Administration

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Thomas Kenway, 1954-56

Senator Thomas Kenway. It sounded almost unreal, and yet here was the 36 year old, a freshman US Senator from Iowa, with an ally and friend in the governor's mansion. It was a surreal moment when the race was called for him, having held no political office before, but his greatest joy of 1954 came on April 21, when he and his wife welcomed their first child into the world, a boy name Archibald, or Archie for short.

He quickly staked out his ground in the Senate as a member of the liberal crowd with men like Humphrey, Jackson and Douglas, advocating for typical liberal positions such as maintaining the legacy of the New Deal and balancing the domestic economy between organised labor and responsible management. Despite being a fervent anti-communist, he remain even more opposed to attempts to restrct civil liberties, holding true to his ideals of innocent until proven guilty and believing that persecution for political beliefs was not just a First Amendment violation, but made them no better than the Soviets.

Brown v. Board of Education would force him to take a public stand on civil rights, and he was unequivocal in his support, stating that "The time has come for the Democratic Party to walk out of the shadow of state's rights, and into the bright sunshine of human rights!"

Needless to say, his position was stated.

He ultimately decided to decline discussions on an Amendment at this stage, feeling he needed to gather experience in the Senate. In particular, he aimed for seats on the Agriculture and Forestry and Armed Services Committees, seeing as he represented a farming state and had served on the Western Front in 1944-45.

As 1956 began, he received an offer: he was to make the nominating speech for the President at the 1956 National Convention! Things were happening fast for a man who 8 years ago, was just studying law at the University of Iowa. What to say in the speech . . .

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Thomas Kenway, 1956

Tom would divide his time between raising Archie in Iowa City and meeting his job requirements as a new Senator in DC. He understood how forthnate he was to make early friendships with men like Humphrey, Jackson . . .and Kennedy. He was focused on building a coalition of Senators who supported Civil Rights measures, with an eye to getting a proper Act passed in the future.

Of course, the highlight of the year was the nominating speech he was going to deliver to the Cpnvention for Eisenhower. One of the highest profile speech slots at a National Convention, and it was all his. A chance to elevate himself in front of the entire country. Only a fool would pass that up. Building on his experiences in the war, he stepped up to address the delegates.

"12 years ago, I stood on a transport plane over northern France, waiting to parachute into combat. I remember thinking that if one man could get us through this, it was Eisenhower.

Four years ago, this country elected Ike to stand up against the Soviet Union, to safeguard our economy, and to guide our nation into a brighter future. Not only has he stood up for these values, but he has activrly defended them in the face of an oppositions that is rallying around the arch-conservatives. The ideological forefathers of thesemen arrayed against us drove us into the Great Depression.

We cannot return to those days.

Ike's administration has led us back to the ideals of the New Deal. The ideals that brought us out of the Great Depression, and the ideals that crushed the tide of fascism that threayened to take over the world, and the same ideals that will defend us against the forces of Communism!

Dwight D. Eisenhower stands ready to bring this nation forward, and continue the march of progress that has always defined our nation's destiny.

Delegates at this Convention, my fellow Democrats, I ask you to re-nominate Dwight D. Eisenhower for President of these United States! "

It would probably land with a thud, he reasoned, he was no great speechmaker

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Foss/Lodge

Thomas Kenway, 1956 campaign

"Four more years! Four more years!" The crowd chanted as Thomas left the stage. Wow, his speech had gone well from the looks of it. Especially to get the convention hall fired up like that.

He found himself mobbed by liberal delegates as he made his way back to the Iowa delegation and affirmed his vote to renominate Eisenhower and Kefauver. That night, after the day's events, he ended up having dinner with Massachusetts Senator John F. Kennedy. He knew Kennedy wanted to run for President soon, and Tom's status with the liberal crowd might be enough to swing the nomination.

Tom did want to run for President one day, but not against Kennedy. He wasn't that stupid.

He also took the oppoortunity to speak with Gerry O'Connor, as Kenway was interested in taking up his Medicare bill in the Senate if it passed the Huse. Healthcare expansion was one of the stated goals of Veterans for a Better America, and now there was an opening to get it passed.

He accepted the offer Marcus Jackson had made to co-author the Drought and Flood Victims Relief Act and the Farmer's Wages and Insurance Act. It was time he acquired some legislative experience. On the quiet however, he began drafting a comprehensive Civil Rights bill, which, though it would not be ready for some time, he planned to be able to counter every single argument made by the southern Democrats.

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Thomas Kenway, 1956 Campaign (Part 2)

Tom knew he was fortunate to have made such an effective speech at the Democratic Convention, and even moreso to land a dinner with his fellow freshman Senator, John F. Kennedy. Needless to say, kennedy's comments took the former paratrooper by surprise. What was he getting at? Not the Vice Presidency; it was necessary that a notherner always pick a southerner for Vice President. A cabinet position perhaps?

Needless to say, he took every possible opportunity to cultivate his relationship with the Kennedys. If his gut was right, they were the next political powerhouse in the country.

In the meantime, he again took charge of Eisenhower's campaign in Iowa, rallying the same people who had aided campaign efforts in 1952 and 1956. VBA was likewise mobilised to campaign for Ike, but in August, Tom resigned the presidency of VBA and awaited the election of a successor. He personally favoured John Chaffee for the position.

He also took time out to campaign for downballot candidates. He once again held rallies for Governor Loveless and eventually decided to go out and campaign for his fellow Senate Democrats, making stops in South Dakota, Pennsylvania and Illinois to support the campaigns of Kenneth Holum, Joseph S. Clark, Jr and Richard Stengel.

Point Expenditure:

2 fr Herschel C. Loveless' re-election campaign as Governor in Iowa
2 for Kenneth Holum's campaign for Senator against Francis Case in South Dakota
2 for Joseph S. Clark's campaign for Senator against James H. Duff in Pennsylvania
2 for Richard Stengel's campaign for Senator against Everett Dirksen in Illinois

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Thomas Kenway, 1956-58

He'd done it! A slate of Democratic Senators elected and his appointment as Chairman of the Senate Darming Caucus. Thomas was thriving; he was at the forefront of liberal politics in such a short time. Bearing in mind that he'd seen many stars rise fast only to fall faster, he worked his allies in the Senate, particularly McGovern, Church, Henry Jackson, and his fellow Iowan, F. M. Evans. Of course, he also took the time to cultivate his friendship with John F. Kennedy. Aware that a Republican victory was likely in 1958 and 1960, he queitly urged the Massachusetts Senator to keep his powder dry for 1964. "We're facing the six-year itch in '58 Jack, and a likely shift of power in '60. Wait for '64 and I'll deliver the farmers, the liberals-whoever you need."

Another highlight of the end of 1956 was his chosen successor, Rhode Island Republican John Chaffee, being elected President of Veterans for a Better America in a landslide.

While he developed a good friendship with John, he and Robert Kennedy developed something of a mutual enmity. It was apparent that Kenway bore the younger Kennedy resentment over his time working for McCarthy, and RFK's disdain for liberals was apparent with Kenway as well.

Not that this bothered Tom much. He continued quietly working on his Civil Rights bill, developing areas that he predicted would be argued against by southerners. A bumper two years was capped off with his appointment to the Foreign Relations and Argriculture Committees. He would have preferred Armed Services, but getting Foreign Relations was nothing to scoff at.

Finally, at the start of 1958, he began working on writing the Family Farm Act, designed to protect small farmers from the rise of industrial-scale corporate farms. Working in concert with the rising Congressman Gerry O'Connor, he led the charge for Medicare in the Senate, declaring it past time healthcare coverage was provided to those who needed it.

As the campaign season began, he made stops in Minnesota for Hubert Humphrey, Mike Mansfield in Montana and of course, Kennedy in Massachussetts. Finally, in between his Senate duties, he also raised his son Archie, 6 years old by the time of the midterms.

As 1958 closed, he wasn't even able to stay awake for the results. Instead, he fell asleep soon after arriving home.

Points expediture:

2 for Hubert Humphrey's Senate campaign
2 for Mike Mansfield's Senate campaign
2 for John F. Kennedy's Senate campaign

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Thomas Kenway, 1958-1960

Tom's joy at the Democrats managing to stem the tide of the six-year itch turned to ashes when he learned of Eisenhower's death. He had come to take Ike for granted, much like he had done for FDR before him. He felt this one much closer to his heart, as he had become a close friend of the man after he had joined VBA.

He gratefully accepted the offer made by the (now former) First Lady Mamie Eisenhower to deliver a eulogy at the President's funeral, struggling to hold back tears as he read through his prepared speech.

"June 6, 1944 was the making of one of the greatest men the world has known. Ike led us from D-Day, through the Bulge and onto victory in Europe. Twice, this country elected him to the higest office in the land with a responsibility to defend democracy, fight communism, and expand the economy, and by God did he do all that and more.

Before our jump into Normandy, I remember he asked me what state I was from. 'Iowa' I replied. 'Good to find someone else from farm country.' He said. From that moment, I knew that this was a man who would make his mark on our history. In many ways, he was a father to all of us who fought in Europe, and he treated us like his sons. He always seemed to know exactly what to do, whether leading an army or leading the nation.

So rest in peace sir. You have our everlasting respect."

He concluded the eulogy with a salute.

The Kennedy homes in Hyannis Port were a far cry from his simple home in Iowa City. Still, Archie enjoyed it; he had made fast friends with Kathleen and Joseph Patrick II. It was ironic because though they were children of Bobby, Tom and Bobby couldn't stand each other.

"I want it to be 1960." Jack said. "I can't wait to '64. By then I'll be irrelevant."

"You won't be." Tom replied. "It lets you get four more years in the Senate for starters."

"And also means I'm up for re-election to the Senate." Jack countered.

"Have Ted run for the Senate that year. Bobby won't take any office unless he wins it on his own." Tom said. "Have him run for Governor in '62. You and I both know he's more suited to being an executive than a legislator."

"Bobby won't like that." Jack replied. Tom sighed; he knew that Bobby wouldn't take suggestions that well. Especially if they came from him.

"We'll work it out." Tom said, ending the conversation. He supposed the reason he couldn't get along with Bobby was because of the latter's prickliness, and his work for McCarthy, despite how unimportant his tirades had turned out to be."1960, 1964, it's your choice. I'd wait myself, but I'll behind you no matter what. Tell me what year and I'll give you the farmers, the liberals, VBA, you name it."

"I appreciate that Tommy."

In March 1959, Kenway proposed the Family Farm Act. The bill's primary function was provide protections for smaller farmers against acquisition by larger, industrial-scale corporate farms, but an equipment subsidy was attached as well, to make it easier for smaller farmers to purchase equipment.

In July, the re-election campaign kicked off with an announcement speech in Iowa City. He once again broke out the tools and began campaigning all over the state to win both the nomination and general. On the quiet, he continued to feel out whether Kennedy would run in 1960 or wait for 1964 and made ready to launch liberals and farmers into his corner.

All the while, he worked House Democrats from the farming states to support Gerry O'Connor's bid for Speaker. Having an ally as Speaker would be invaluable, particulary with his farm bill coming to a vote.