Why did Eisenhower win Louisiana in 1956?

[Calthrina950]

The question is as in the title. In 1956, Dwight Eisenhower became the first Republican since Reconstruction in 1876 (Rutherford B. Hayes) to win Louisiana. And not only did he win the state, he did so handily over Adlai Stevenson, carrying it 53-40-7 (the margin was distorted by the large "unpledged" vote that year, but it is notable, nevertheless). In 1952, Stevenson had won the state over Eisenhower 53-47. What caused Louisiana to flip, while states like North Carolina, South Carolina, and Arkansas remained loyal to Stevenson? And especially so, given that Stevenson picked up Missouri that same year?

Discuss below.

[Calthrina950]

This occurred mainly due to Stevenson endorsing Federal control of the Tidelands oil, while Eisenhower endorsed state control.  LA Gov Robert Kennon, an anti-Long Democrat, endorsed Ike, as did a number of the more conservative LA Dems.

Still though, a double digit margin is a bit shocking

As I mentioned in my first post, Unpledged Electors received 7% of the vote that year, exaggerating the extent of Eisenhower's victory. Had that 7% gone to Stevenson, Eisenhower would have beaten him 53-47%, an almost exact reverse of the 1952 results in the state.