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Hoover picks Taft over Eisenhower
Herbert Hoover - signed letter, January 14, 1952, to California tycoon Hulett C. Merritt.
In this outstanding political letter, Hoover expresses support for Robert Taft and offers a frank assessment of the fight for the 1952 presidential nomination. Merritt had asked Hoover who he should put his money behind to make sure the Republicans had the best candidate who could win the White House. Merritt’s financial support would be significant. Hoover responded with his pick – Senator Robert Taft: “I believe he is the only Republican who can be elected.”
Hoover was clearly picking sides in the epic Republican battle between conservatives and “Eastern Establishment” Republicans. But he also feared a divisive public fight would damage any nominee’s chances of victory in November. He had hoped party leaders might be able to sort it out and settle on a candidate. Hulett C. Merritt was a towering business leader in California. That may explain why Hoover was so open in this letter, responding to Merritt’s request for instructions on whom he should back. Included with this letter is a carbon copy of Merritt’s follow-up letter requesting Hoover’s permission to make the letter public, believing it could help rally support for Taft.
With the personally signed letter from Hoover are National Archive copies of 17 other letters between Merritt and Hoover between 1944-1953. Included are copies of Merritt’s initial question to Hoover and Hoover’s reply to the follow-up from Merritt.
This is an exceptional Hoover letter rich in political content over a seminal inflection point for the future of the Republican Party. The association with the tycoon Merritt only adds to the significance of this letter.
Hoover picks Taft over Eisenhower
Herbert Hoover - signed letter, January 14, 1952, to California tycoon Hulett C. Merritt.
In this outstanding political letter, Hoover expresses support for Robert Taft and offers a frank assessment of the fight for the 1952 presidential nomination. Merritt had asked Hoover who he should put his money behind to make sure the Republicans had the best candidate who could win the White House. Merritt’s financial support would be significant. Hoover responded with his pick – Senator Robert Taft: “I believe he is the only Republican who can be elected.”
Hoover was clearly picking sides in the epic Republican battle between conservatives and “Eastern Establishment” Republicans. But he also feared a divisive public fight would damage any nominee’s chances of victory in November. He had hoped party leaders might be able to sort it out and settle on a candidate. Hulett C. Merritt was a towering business leader in California. That may explain why Hoover was so open in this letter, responding to Merritt’s request for instructions on whom he should back. Included with this letter is a carbon copy of Merritt’s follow-up letter requesting Hoover’s permission to make the letter public, believing it could help rally support for Taft.
With the personally signed letter from Hoover are National Archive copies of 17 other letters between Merritt and Hoover between 1944-1953. Included are copies of Merritt’s initial question to Hoover and Hoover’s reply to the follow-up from Merritt.
This is an exceptional Hoover letter rich in political content over a seminal inflection point for the future of the Republican Party. The association with the tycoon Merritt only adds to the significance of this letter.