The rest of the story: Party and politics in the post-Presidency: A study of Truman and Eisenhower

This thesis examines the importance of the post-presidency, particularly in foreign policy and in current politics. Post-presidents offer advice to the current president as elder statesman and lead the charge, or at least provide guidance, in the direction they think the party should go. Yet to understand the importance an ex-president plays, it is important to look from presidents of the past to understand the precedence that was set. This thesis examines two such Presidents, one Democrat and another Republican. Harry Truman and Dwight Eisenhower held the Presidency during the beginning of the Cold War. Both played a part in nearly every American war of the twentieth century including providing guidance to the current President during the Vietnam War. While their presidencies were dissimilar in policy, they faced many of the same challenges, both at home and abroad.;Yet, when they left the Presidency, what was life like for these two gentlemen? More importantly, how did Truman and Eisenhower help transform the post-Presidency? Together, they provide the link between the ex-Presidents of the early twentieth century, and the current role that living ex-Presidents play today. They largely shaped the direction the post-Presidency would take, particularly in the areas of elder and party statesman.;As elder statesman Truman and Eisenhower provided unconditional support to current Presidents Kennedy and Johnson As party statesman both ex-Presidents looked to bring their party back to national prominence, or keep it there. Truman took part in multiple congressional elections and campaigned hard for Stevenson, Kennedy, and Johnson. Eisenhower campaigned for Nixon during the last year of his Presidency, supported congressional candidates, and backed Goldwater in 1964. By looking at their diaries, personal notes, secondary sources, and personal conversations, one discovers how Truman and Eisenhower played a major role in their party's politics, and as elder statesman.