Transcripts For CSPAN2 Susan Eisenhower How Ike Led 20240712

[cheering] this occasion reserves unbroken tradition which began with president theodore roosevelt. The great and the new great have addressed this audience. But tonight, we welcome the man who history will record among World Leaders in the hour of our greatest need. [applause] i have in mind the rapid succession of communist aggression and millions of people were involved behind the farreaching iron curtain. I have in mind the stalemate of fertility in korea, the rampaging inflation in our homelands. Which was eating up the savings, and traveling the enterprise economy. Then is the man, will be acclaimed by future generations as the man who laid the foundations of peace. [applause] [applause] and more, he is our president only love with a deep and abiding affection. [applause] s direct welcome too the commonwealth quoth im george amateur of the humanities for much put together todays program. Along with the staff at the Commonwealth Club. The text aphis help helped to put together these online programs, we have done dozens and dozens of them since a covid crisis began. It is my great pleasure to introduce Susan Eisenhower who is here with us today preaches the granddaughter of president eisenhower. She has written a great book, how like lead. It is like a u2 spy plane overview of his hold the principles that led his presidency. But with the young girls point of view on the man himself. It is really quite a combinatio combination. It is a nice combination because it is also the combination that you lived your life at susan. Because you are a political analyst et cetera pretty live this life this way and you knew him personally for many, many years. I bet that was interesting. He did not pass away until you were already in college or around that age, right . Guest yes. Host so welcome everyone. We are going to get started to talk about president eisenhower. For those of you who are not familiar is president from 1953 until 1961. Jfk was the president right after words. He was he supreme allied commander during world war ii. So susan, first of all thank you very much for joining us from afar. Our inner online world of all recognize can happen much more easily than we thought. But, tell us a little bit about what inspired you to write the book. Youve been working in this field for a long time. As a political consultant et cetera an advisor. And you decide to write about your own grandfathers work. It mustve been very interesting to try to be objective and subjective at the same time for you did it successfully. Will george, first of all thank you so much for the opportunity to be back at the Commonwealth Club. I had the wonderful opportunity of presenting two of my other books at the club in years past. It is great to be back and talk about this. And yes, i think the question is a very interesting one. Maybe as part of the disclaimer for our discussion this evening i should say as a kid i was really raised to compartmentalize what i knew about his politics, about the period in which he governed, about the issues that he dealt with. And on the other side, my relationship with him as a grandparent. So this book is really the marriage of those two things as you said. It was really quite an experience for me to it put it together in one place. Because i was continually struck by how we were doing certain things as a family. And he was dealing with some of these crises. So that was interesting. The impetus of why to do it now revolved around three events i guess. One is that the 75th anniversary of the end of world war ii. Certainly bj day is about to occur. We had of course the 75th anniversary of the end of the war in europe. Back in may of this year. Secondly, the eisenhower memorial in washington d. C. Will be dedicated on september, september 17. In a much more scaledback version of its original self. But it will, nevertheless less be open too the public after that day. Finally, were going into an election year. And there is always a lot of thinking about the presidency. As the most important for your election occurs. And so, i thought that i something to say to us today. And i guess that is the reason i put it together. Host he really did predict found that, he took it from that angle. There so many different elements there were so interesting today. As applicable. One that i thought, its a small side tangents, but there were people who said in 1956 that were against him being reelected, saying will you are actually going to be electing Richard Nixon. Do not going to be electing eisenhower pretty sick, just had this heart attack and so on. So soon Richard Nixon is going to be the president present things happening in the Democratic Party biting will never be the present for more than a month or 20 really electing kamala harris. I think thats interesting and keeps getting thrown out of people. Select both course im not going to speculate on whether there is a difference in the approach. But eisenhower is very conscious of what it would be to be a diminished president. We have to remember the president wilson, was really almost a scandal that people in the country did not know how ill that president was. So i was determined not to find himself in that situation for the good of the country. And after he had three illnesses during his presidency, and after each one of them he would give himself a very arduous test. Like a round the world trip, or a trip to europe the required lots of meetings and lots of stress. And he always would tell his advisors, if i do not perform at top level you have to tell me. Because then i will resign. In any case, that never happened. He became actually rather adroit at managing his time. Managing his stress, and generally you know positioning himself to get through his second term. It was interesting also, a small tangent, that the doctors lied to him about the helium thing said he did not think it was as serious. He kind of thought he might have made a different decision and 56 had they warned him about it. I thought that was interesting. Speech at one of the biggest decisions about running for second term as you point out, is that he had a heart attack in 1955. And he had a doctor named Howard Snyder. Although they were devoted friends and theyd been together in one form or another since the war, Howard Snyder actually drove granddad up the wall. [laughter] because first of all, he hovere hovered. He came up with all sorts of things, eisenhowers not allowed to do which is watching the army, Navy Football team in real time. Because he decided it would raise the president s blood pressure. [laughter] ike really did care about the outcome of the game by the way. I think Howard Snyder was part of the team that was not actually about his iliads situation. I was not i was not going to be a diminished president. And he very well could have december decided differently. I think at the end of the day, my grandmother intervene for the first time the early part of their marriage. And encourage him to run again. She thought he would probably die of another heart attack watching everything. You know, thats a tough decision. Sweet steve got on top of that high blood pressure. We what i think your grandmothers decision was much easier to understand. The doctors decision, this is a guy making decisions about the war in korea and all these Big Decisions. And youre worried about them watching a football game. Even if he takes it too seriously. That seems a little bit ludicrous. [laughter] i told that story in the book in the context of how extraordinary amount of power how that often warps relationships you have with other people. Doesnt mean that makes them terrible, it does change things. On the doctors for some reason , i love this expression, actually tried to handle this man. Which would only make him more wound up i am sure. Because he was a guy used making Big Decisions and was perfectly capable of facing any difficult news. As a matter fact, in his last years of life i saw this so often. How brave he was. And how ready he was to take whatever was coming. As a matter fact he even volunteered for some rather exotic treatments for his condition. Because he thought it might help people after he was gone. This was not anyone who is not straightforward with, i just want to say that for the record. Sue and thats a good transition. Before we the big issues that he faced, i think its good to talk about these personal relationships that he had. The friendships that he had, the people who capped him with his family in your own relationship with them. And you have some pictures to show which include pictures of yourself with him when you were younger. Well get those up on the screen. Okay, so there is the picture we have been showing. This is him right around the end of world war ii, right . Speech it yes. This picture was taken in 1945. By that time he had his fifth start. And i think its a lousy picture. I think he looks tired though i dont if you would agree. Helix contents. If the picture were fulllength, youd see he is wearing only a single bar of ribbons and five stars on his shoulder. He was not one to walk around like a soviet general with metals all the way down to their waist. I like this picture because i think he looks approachable. Now i would say tired. And that its to be a fairly accurate assessment since its impossible to know how he could be working 100 hours of work or 130 hours a week sometimes come up all night, up in the middle of the night. And not come out of a three year stench like that really deeply tired. And 45 how old is he . Tsubaki was born in 1890. He was 55 years old. As a matter fact if you look at pictures when he was president of Columbia University he looks younger than he does in that picture. Even though it was another five years later. Sue went yes, he gave a lot of energy. To the next picture is a picture of you. Guest yes. [laughter] sue and this is you as a teenager with him and a horse . Guest is our horse that picture i cant see it from her here. Perfect, perfect. Okay well i became an amateur photographer. And we have in our family collections all sorts of these homemade things. But i like about that pictures, somebody else took a picture of ike take a picture of me. I dont know, every time i see this picture makes me smile because of this baldheaded his as my grandmother always said she loved to roll over at night in bed and pats little baldhea baldhead. [laughter] there if theres a horse in the picture is from the standpoint i cant quite see it. I was the family horseback writer. And so this was a bond we had. Because he loved horses. They were the only animal on his farm hand dolch in any way, shape, or form. He was more cattle and he certainly did not like barnyard cats. But he loved his horses. So i think it is a really sweet picture. Give a short story in your book about when you were 11 and the horses got away and he just put in a putting green. His special putting ring, you might tell that story. I think it shows your relationship nicely. Well, i think the story says a lot about ikes compassion, by lifetime guilt. He put in a putting green. He put the putting green and because he wanted to have some privacy while he practiced his putting. Otherwise he would have had to have gone to the country club. Which he enjoyed doing and seeing people. There is not actually any privacy in those events. People came out to watch you golf and the rest of it. So one evening i was paddle locking a gate, and five of the horses on the farm pushed against the gate, sort of almost knocked me over and went running all around the lawn in front of my parents, grandparents sitting area, or they always sat in the evening. All five of these horses were running around like crazy. And circling hearing going ther there. And then, made a huge sweep across the golf green. I listen more than a state of panic. Everybody came out of the field, field hands, secret service, everybody. We were trying to wrap around these animals. Finally did and then i had to go in and face the music. Not only had they run my grandfathers golf rebuttals late for dinner. [laughter] this was one of those moments in childhood you do not forget. I walked in the outset and a swivel chair, he swiveled around and looked at me and said to notice that your grandmother . I havent seen horses run like that since i was a kid in abilene, kansas. And of course i apologize after that. I never heard of it again. Was a very smart move on his part. Because the guilt would be lingering. [laughter] he was very nice not to bring it up or hold it against me hold it over my head. Because i think he knew i was devastated and would not do it again. She wanted some of this classic experience as in a disney cartoon for children that the children makes makes that responsibility where the parents are good they do what i did. When their bad they look like a witch. Georgette had one more thing part had the great sense to apologize profusely and take full responsibility. And i think that went down very well. I would have had a significant ongoing lecture about personal accountability had i not done so. [laughter] tsubaki would already learn that lesson i bet. Yes, i learned that one already. So curious commies painting a picture i assume you are in that picture . You can see from the postcard that its my mother and for my savings, you my youngest sister was born 1955 after that portrait was painted. Taken at camp david. One of the helpers in camp david came in and took a picture of him doing that. He took up painting actually after the war. He followed Winston Churchills example pretty was intrigued by how much painting the Prime Minister did while he was trying to get his head together also his own portrait painter gave him oil paints as a present i took it up then. And they became they found at centered him was concentrating on the painting you have a short story in the book about how he had exhibited an art museum nor is it is being shown years because i was president , speech or they never give a guy like me an exhibit for painting it looks like this. He wanted to be regarded almost as a professional. He gave his cabinet members pictures of him. He had a wartime colleagues and even painted Prince Charles and princess and for the queen of england. He was full of apologies about their execution. Live a picture of churchill thats the next picture. Thats quite talented. Not amateur. Its not bad. Its actually able to present it to two churchill was visiting and the that has churchill the painter would. I also painted field marshal one of the big personalities hed worked with during world war ii. It was a lovely, lovely painting that hangs today in the British Embassy in washington d. C. Becky said its one of the interesting personalities but hes kind of a frenemy as they would call him now. Something like that. [laughter] select their enemies too. The next pictures when he gave to you, the next painting. Theres a little store with this on, right . There is a story about this one. I often stood behind him when he was at the easel. He had an addition to his retirement years, he always insisted on having a studio somewhere nearby. So in the white house this on the second floor overlooking lafayette park. And it was around that time that i was standing behind him, admiring his work. I dont know what this scene is. As i said before he painted usually from postcards. And these landscapes he did were all always serene. It has been noted that theres something ironic about it. Because probably every brushstroke is full of some kind of turbulence he is trying to make sense of. This painting at the bottom is dated de 1957. And 1957, many things happened. I was intrigued when i looked at the back of it. It says to susan covid 1958. So that means is likely a painting that was done, personnel during the little rock crisis. When eisenhower sent the 101st Airborne Division to desegregate Little Rock High School and to escort nine africanamericans to start school and that september. And then, right after that of course was sputnik. So launches first artificial satellite or worlds first artificial satellite in space. So i look at this painting and i think wow, those brushstrokes must have provided some relief during those times of great controversy and crisis. Host we are going to go back to that. People talk about october surprises. In 1956, your grandfather certainly got to really huge ones. But lets finish the pictures. Then we will go. By the way for the audience if you have any questions just send them in through the chat room. And we will ask them for it begot yours gary, we will get to the korean conflict a little bit later. So next picture is . And thats you write . Guest that is me. Will i look like im terribly thoughtful. He looks very kind. I like that picture because i once, ive always wanted people to know that he has some very, very tough decisions and some very dark times during our history. We think about what he saw and what he had ordered during the war, but you know he never became hard or cynical. I think as both a Family Member and as an analyst, i think it is remarkable. Says a lot about his character. It seems to be one of the hardest things to do to make those decisions. Well get to d day later. Said note that is the best so may people will die. At at the worst you do not even succeeded what youre trying to accomplish. And even more people will die. I people of made those decisions for us i think it is why they get admired for decades and even centuries to come because it is so crucial. Your grandfather certainly one of those. The next picture, have a couple pictures of him now i think. Theres a picture of him as a young man on a baseball team. Just of the can see him before he is bald, right . Thats right. I was looking, its always fun to see ike with a full head of hair. So he is, george maybe you could describe which one he is. Im not sure i can. That is exactly right. This is the abilene high school. He was on the baseball team. He was a very good baseball player. I think his real passion was football. And he launched his way for a little while when he broke his knee them was unable to continue playing football at west point because he had played against jim thorpe as a matter fact in the army versus carlisle game. He was regarded as a very fast, effective football player. And that was very discouraging for him. And he had to learn how to snap out of that downer after taking up cigarettes of course. Host one tangent, was not planning on going there. I thought is interesting you mention above all the leaders are not people who obeyed the whole time his kind of not a bad boy, but he certainly got himself in trouble when he was at west point. And he did not even go there to get a soldier he went there for a nether free education. Another interesting tangent. Becky shared that with. S grant. A lot of great leaders turned out to be civilians who had never imagined themselves as soldiers. I think one thing that is worth mentioning, especially in the context of west point, he grew up in a very religious househol household. In the eisenhowers were pacifists. They were god during pacifists. There is not an eisenhower who fought in the civil war. So they made ikes uncle, abraham lincoln, eisenhower. Because they wanted to express their views. They were conscientious objectors. You can imagine the family feelings when ike goes off to west point. Because he cannot wait any longer for his younger brothers to put them through college. Fascinating. And those who want more details, it is in the book. The next picture is meeting with kruse jeff, your grandfather had a very interesting idea. He mentioned inmate talked about earlier. And i dont think very many people know about this. When he was talking about the distinctions between what was going on during the cold war period is not a matter of capitalism versus socialism or communism. Guest he says actually in the speech of the Commonwealth Club that it is really about openness, democracy versus authoritarianism. And then he goes on to say it is about a free and open society as opposed to a closed and secretive society. And i just thought that was rather intriguing. A lot of times in order to fight the enemy that is perceived to become like the enemy enclosing often become secretive yourself sometimes. On the add two things if i could add something here about this picture. This is in 1959. Even though they are smiling, the United States at this point has been thrown into what is called the berlin ultimatum. Key cursed Office Currently threatening the United States punitive action over berlin. If it turned into war there be no way to defend berlin with conventional weapons. So it might have turned nuclear. So today we have this kind of standoffs. But eisenhower actually invited khrushchev to come to the United States. And he was here for ten days, ten days. And during that time, soviet premier was subjected to eisenhowers grandchildren as a way to soften him up. [laughter] and all i can say is the future of the world hug and the balance as to whether we were going to be well behaved that afternoon. [laughter] we apparently managed to save the world for the first and last time. No, should not make jokes about this. As a very serious time, after the trips the soviets did lift the olson made him some agreement to continue to talk about it at a summit in paris. Will talk about that right now as long as you have kruse jeff. Were going to do it later but let me do it right now. There is this incident that what also is very fascinating is how much information president eisenhower had about what the russians actually had done and what they hadnt. And he knew everybody was lying about the missile gap and this other stuff that was driving the cold war. It was perfectly clear that they did not have a force that we needed to worry about, at that time when that was going on. Because they had the information. Maybe say a little bit about what happened. Speech is all entreaty and sputnik is tied up in this. You know, we just had the dawn of the space age during his administration. And there were no rules for outer space at all. It was undecided, legally whether or not sovereign airspace would extend all the way into outer space. And so through an agreement with the soviet union, the United States and the soviet union agreed to launch our satellites in 1957 parts of the Eisenhower Administration there is no surprise about that. The point of free access to space which is what eisenhower strongly endorsed, and had to make it possible for the use of the freest of satellites in orbit. And the reason these satellites are so important to eisenhowers because it would help avert a surprise attack. Before the satellites could be launched into free access to space, he proposed overflights for the United States and the soviet union to fly their aircraft over each country territory to assure there not be a Surprise Nuclear attack. Now i just have to say about the sputnik thing, the administration knew there went to launch their satellites and did not feel badly. As a matteroffact sort of encouraged soviet union to go first behind the scenes without telling them anything. But they were sort of hoping the soviet union would go first. So the soviet union went accidentally establish the precedents for free use of outer space. So, not long after that the satellites we had been working on, the corona project, got launched. And we could tell from space and from the u2 exactly what, i should say quite precisely what the soviet military buildup looked like. Including the number of rockets they had. Nevertheless, sputnik open the way to opposition to the Eisenhower Administration. In preparation for the 1960 president ial campaign. It turned into a scandal which is known as the missile gap. And the democrats were accusing the Eisenhower Administration of failing to keep up with the huge lead the soviet union allegedly had in rockets, Nuclear Weapons in that kind of thing. It turned out to be fiction. We were way ahead of the soviet union. And the only way we could eventually tell that for the two programs eisenhower initiated. U2 and the satellite program. For reconnaissance purposes. Sue back your version of the story maybe think you mustve had some pretty good lawyers on his team advising if you do it this way let the soviets go first, then this is going to set the precedent thats going to laos to get what we want which is free and open space thing. If we ourselves say were trying to dominate it will not work. He had to because we had proposed the open skies treaty at the Geneva Summit and 55. And the soviet union absolutely rejected it. But they did not want this mutual overflight business. Because they thought we were going to use it for targeting purposes. So you can imagine if we wouldve got into space first, they would well have accused us of going into space for doing with the u2 was meant to do. Its learn of a complicated story. Thats what i call playing the long game. It took a big political hit. But when sputnik went up before any of our successful satellites, or our successful, artificial satellites, in the end established a framework for space which allows, allowed all of the tremendous amounts take place without conflicts. Sue and he was the right man in the right place pretty certainly have the long game in his mind a lot. He had plenty of experience with it. The other thing that was very interesting, because it is so much dealing of the russians during world war ii, so i did so forth use it very good position to have a realistic idea about what they were up to what they would do and wouldnt do. He did not consider themselves fanatic they would destroy themselves. They were somewhat rational players. Speak to my father had a tremendous sense of humor i will say. I asked him what he thought was the guest intelligence conclusions of the 1950s. My late father said that soviets were not early Christian Martyr martyrs. In other words the assessment was the soviet leadership wanted to stay in power. And so, that is a very big difference between wanting to launch a preemptive strike. It is a big analytical difference. See when he just mentioned your father. Great story about the conversation have president eisenhowers father about korea. He wants go back with his troops to korea. This is pretty serious but you did not find out about that when you were young. He found out later did you find out about it when your father was still live . Guest oh yes, yes. The story to summarize it is, when general eisenhower becomes president eisenhower, now is not just a five star general. As a matter fact he gave up his Army Commission to run for president. Because we do not have generals as president of the United States. So he suddenly is the commanderinchief. And he is my father who is a graduate of west point two. An army officer who was stationed in korea, comes back for fathers inauguration. And then they have a very serious talk. And i said you have to decide if youre going to a bacteria unit in korea or i will command you to stay in the United States. But heres the deal. If you go back to korea you need to carry a handgun with you at all times. And you have to promise me, promise me this is in order. Promise me that you will never be taken as a hostage. Or be any situation where you could put the president of the United States in any jeopardy. So what that really adds up to is that my father agreed to commit suicide if he were at a situation where he was going to be taken hostage. And it sounds like a really by that time my father and mother already had three kids. I was the third of that group. As i say my sister mary came around in 1955. This is several years before. And you know, it is kind of stunning today. We think actually that our leaders ought to be sending their kids overseas. But the potential for black mail antipathy president of the United States in a position that undermine the security of the United States was not acceptable for those two army officers. My father agreed, thankfully. Feel it to the age of 91. So he came home from korea without having to take such a drastic and tragic step. Sue wanted such a telling detail about the difference in the time with what theyve already gone through the depression on the war. That this father and son could make this deal and both understood that is the only thing you could do. Guest and also there both military men. Its called doing your duty. Because the Mission Always supersedes any individual desires or however you would like to put it. I think it is moving. Im sort of think that story is important to byrd to understand Dwight Eisenhower is to understand is trained as a military mind. He was a strategic leader, who somebody who was well disciplined for he did not like histrionics coming to not like over emotionalism. He believed in selfdiscipline and process. Is extremely important because he did not want his subordinates out freelancing. And he certainly did not make any impetuous, uninformed decision. And that is all changing session at the highest levels. Great stories about how he dealt with the whole atomic weaponry issue and everything, making three different commissions he kind of did in the very elaborate way. But lets move on to the next question, the next picture. So here he is talking to the soldiers. His several great stories, not only at the time during world war ii, but after words, ten years after words. Eightysecond airborne, he met with them. I think this is a groupies meeting with now on the way off to flight. I think it is interesting. I dont think people understand how personal he made this. And how difficult this must have been to look him in the face. Three to this pictures taken on june 5 just as the paratroopers are about to take off to the normandy coast. Two unknown fates. Part of the reason i think this particular picture is so wonderful, look at his face and how he is smiling at those boys. I think it is particularly noteworthy, his decision about the airborne droplets probably one of the toughest of the whole normandy enterprise. His technical expert, air marshal trafficker leigh mallory, who is responsible for the 24000 paratroopers that dropped. Warned ike about general eisenhower about a week before and the dday assault was to take place. He thought the paratroopers should be canceled. Because the germans have reinforced a position. And he thanks it was dangerous. Between 50 and 70 of paratroopers and glider troops would be lost in this exercise. So ike went into a room for two hours and decided against that recommendation. The paratroopers were essential for opening a number of pathways off of utah and omaha beach. And what is moving about this picture is having made that decision a week earlier and written a note that said the landing failed, the responsibility is mine and mine alone. He goes out. These paratroopers in the eye, thinking in his mind between 50 and 70 . Of these boys not coming home. Sue and yost. There is another thing i think you detail is the fact the original dday plans when he got his hands on double d size of the invasion and added this planet about the paratroopers landing. Unfortunately, the advisor was not right he was 4 died in 10 wounded in Something Like that. Still a high amount but not at all what he thought. He succeeded in everyone assumed without the overall comic quoted bid and overall disaster. Guest the paratroopers are the linchpin of the operation. I can tell you pretty much what eisenhower was saying at that point. We know that is the hundred first airborne. We know it is because a number of them came back and told us what was being talked about. And he was asking them about home. He was not giving them a pep talk about getting on a plane dropping behind lines and normandy. Hes talking to them about home. I went such my father by would he do that . My father, a military officer said they knew it theyre about to go do and theyre scared half to death. So imagine that smile. And amanda came out had the courage to look him in the eye before they took off. They said dont worry jonah we are going to whip hitler. No, Great Exchange really. Very moving. Very moving tales in your story of your grandfather. I think the next picture, that is him at dday remembrance years later. Due to how will this is . Guest he wouldve been 75. It was dday plus 20 years for that picture was taken. Take a minute to Walter Cronkit cronkite. They drove alter the normandy coast line. And of course this is the American Cemetery before it was completely finished. I was a long process to put that cemetery together. This is the first time i could come back. During the presidency, the tenth anniversary of dday occurred in 1955 he did not went to politicize what is really hollowed ground. We sent a gift to the people of normandy. That and spent the day in seclusion. Here he comes back and talking to Walter Cronkite. Look at the pain in his face. All of those kids who didnt make it. And he was responsible which may have cost some of those people their lives. Until then Walter Cronkite says what you think when you sit her here . Im very moved by this. He said they gave us another chance. And he said the question is what are we going to do it that chance . And i come and a way, think we are at a crossroads today. We have to ask ourselves we have to ask yourself before you move on this crisis. Are we going to be a more United Country . Or are we going to allow our divisions to separate us as a people . But is really a great segue. We have actually audio of president eisenhower. He spoke of the Commonwealth Club here 60 years ago. As you know. I have a little clip, maybe about three minutes on where everybody can hear his voice. I know a lot of people are not aware thought is commonly heard with the clips. The way he says what he says is almost as important as what he says. I think is very relevant for today, just as you were saying. So soon as that clip get started, we will listen to it. But i find it fascinating as we were saying a little bit earlier, this generation of men. My father was in the war. He was dropped off in north africa went up to sicily. Is it ready . What and run it. I am glad to be here this evening. Two sustain your perfect scores having as a speaker every president of the United States this is found at the beginning of the century. [applause] sorry we do not have live audiences right now. [laughter] [inaudible] [laughter] moved by a wisdom developed out of experience, the organizer of this club provides for the new creation a noble and necessary purpose. Better government and their state. Its energizing spark was the belief that, and then take these words the document of the time, california suffers greatly. Because the best elements of the population failed to cooperate in the common good as respectively as a bad element cooperates for evil purposes. [laughter] the dedication of that group and the unremitting efforts of its membership to pursue the course of sound government the almost six decades of the clubs existence. The word commonwealth signifies a group united by common energy. But equally significant is the fact that in the political realm, the Common Wealth as mr. Webster defines it, has come to mean generally if not always in association based upon free choice. Tonight, i shall try to apply to some aspect of the world of International Affairs this organization. That this space failed by the some elements cooperate as other did for you. No group, no matter how wellintentioned, can cooperate fruitfully unless they are first established a firm basis of common understanding. The founders of your club recognize by noting that one of the great difficulties with lead by different groups in california did not know each other. They were separated at that time by wide areas. My also distrusted each other. Just as the californian of 1903, there your club was founded, it was far cry from the commonwealth of california toda today, so were as we turn into the 20th century scarcely recognizable as the one we know in 1960. Strachan the same issues are here. As you said, can people cooperate . One of the big issues the two talked about in the book in several places is your grandfather was really not either a democrat or a republican. And so he was a moderate. And he worked together quite often. In fact in his cabinet he had democrats, that used to be done. And it seems to me that he was worried about the extremists at both ends. And those extremists at the time, on the right there is the john birch society. There is the mccarthy anticommunist. On the left there were the communists and people were trying to help the soviet union to succeed. And other groups that were extreme. And he tried to run through the middle. And he was of course criticized for not moving fast enough by one group. In criticized going too fast by the other groups. He definitely went right up the middle. And i have often thought today its interesting that the democrats republicans shot themselves in their own all the Congressional District sprayed they did it, not to cause what happened they did it they made the primary elections, the actual election. Because there group was always going to win. As a result of which it pushed towards the extreme because the primaries work for extremists. We could undo that process. In both parties seems to me to it be interested in that. If they do not get interested in it, we could do another president eisenhower that said what about getting the democrats that are moderate and the republicans that are moderate to Work Together and do that instead . Because people at a think about 60 of the voters it seems from the polling, are right in that situation. So its very interesting. To think that is the nice framework for all the different issues he covered. We have a couple questions here printed there plenty of things are going to cover. So many issues that he did. Lets ask the questions that were asked. Gary landsman asked, what is ikes strategy to prevent a flare up of the korean conflict . susan the course it is a long story, they always are. But i think if you were to look at his well, let me start by saying that after he was elected president , he went to korea as he promised during the campaign. Actually took a helicopter ride over the terrain. He got. Close to the front is a matter of fact. He was not really right on the front. The newly elected president. But he wanted to see the terrain. He wanted to see all they have the firsthand. And i think the terrain already right him a lot. Given positions of both sides. Any thought this is just not a winnable war. Unless it becomes a big war. In big weapons are used. He just did not think that it would succeed. He was very much against wars without an end. It was believed not just as human lives but believed that the economy and it would bleed it energy and attention and he said about working out the negotiations. But this later became a great point of contention between those who were in favor making the world safer. Our america to engage in the small quarters. Versus eisenhowers view that small wars, start small pecan gets big. They can get big fast if your adversary is losing. And in this particular case of course later, the big adversary was the soviet union. And they had weapons to match her own including the Hydrogen Bomb that was developed just before he came to presidency. So they managed in the turned out that there was not just the United States. But there was flexibility that same debate present among our enemies. And it is still in place. And i guess this is the last chapter. What are we going to do the korean situation. Are we going to stay in korea. Are we ever going to be able to negotiate some kind of a proper and to that floor. George another big issue that he dealt with after the war was not a deal with germany. We will go into a lot of detail about that because theres so any things to cover but he did Say Something interesting. I will consider a policy towards germany successful 50 years later. Its a thriving democracy. In a 1995, which was 50 years after hed said that at the end of the war, was only couple of years after germany had reunited is all one country and certainly is a thriving democracy. So whatever his long range strategy was, its right on point. And it is amazing, that the chinese were told that they look ahead 100 years in the russians look ahead but we have had president s that have done that. And they cant keep the policies in place of somebody takes them away. They can set the policies in the way that they make enough sense that people continue them. I think a lot of this were done. Susan i just want to say that and of course you were a strategic reader. I think he was always looking for sustainable strategies. I like the idea of a sustainable strategy because it is a good strategy if it stays in place and meets the of longer period of time. So any of the things that we call strategies today have leica one term, half and then we have to or can go on for longer than that of course but then corrections have to be made. And i think that actually likes accomplishments hold up. Well over the decade. He was playing a long game anyway. When he lived in the concentration camp and was horrified by what he saw. He was so shocked that he still cant find words for how he felt he was very articulate writer. His first reaction was one of the people going to say in 50 years. But they going to say that the holocaust never happened. Unless we chronicle it i sent everybody including my father into those camps to photograph it, congressman came from the United States. That was all in his orders. George the alert and other elements was trust. It seems to me they do have a problem in trying to come to an agreement with each other today. Everybody has their own point of view. That is always been true. Were getting use to democracy. Everybody gets to have the point of view. Some people are very mad that the educated elite trying to run things based on principles and so on and so forth. It is against the way they would want to do it. So you need to have a persuasive argument about it. In addition to that, you say what is it that we have in common. I think one of the things that we have learned over the years is that its all right if we educated women, theyre not going to be the end of society. In fact our society is no better. Its much more productive. Stuff that if we educate all kinds of people. Everybody should be educated although, anybody does not want to be educated, that is another argument. They dont need to be if they dont want to. That is fine. But you have a certain element of what it is we can have in common. In say that if that is our goal, i will agree, like 70 percent agree on those goals, then we can trust each other if we just stick to those goals. This is what we will work on together and the rest of it is something different. Good people in politics want the promise with theyre going to accomplish. Nobody can promise what theyre going to accomplish in politics because it is a bunch of people you have to get to agree with you. [laughter]. Susan that is absolutely true. I think the beginning of this administration when you were describing a problem he said, he described it as the fear in the hearts of men. I think he understood that underlies this lack of trust is fair. To your point. So its a responsible leaders role to put into perspective, the fears we may have. Versus how dire things really are. We come to the point in this country now where everything is a threat. And im really sorry, but not all threats are equal. And some are more important than others. And i think this is one thing that get from this book is the way true strategist thinks about these things is to understand what fundamental questions are. Because nobodys affected if they take on absolutely every issue but one of the ones that are going to keep, one of the long ones that will keep the ten from collapsing. George people miss that, they understand that the domain temple is coming down. The idea about the fair is absolutely right. Think one of the reasons we were successful after world war ii was a level of confidence in america. The quote we had just accomplished. They were big scary things going on from Nuclear Weapons, it was a big scary thing is you certainly remember. In several other things. But there were still the confidence that we can meet our problems and overcome them. Because we working bigger problems already in world war ii. So why cant we do the street and i think that the amount of fear is been generated since 911, about this and in the next thing in the next thing. Even though there were plenty of terrorism in the 70s and 80s in europe and in america, but it was hard it did not scare people. Susan theres a certain amount of political exploitation. Some people in Washington State that if you want to get anything done on capitol hill are the white house, you have to face a National Security threat or status. I have one very critical friend calls it threats marketing. Whatever the cases, the early beginnings of that. In the story that i have written. Certainly, we should be alert at all times. But we also have to understand that the state of our economy, and moral authority that we have as a country both domestically and internationally. All of these things i think are critical to our own National Security. In the military capability was sure that that was not the only thing that was hard for National Security. George right. And because i dont think that human nature will change too much. Except that the politicians will use his threats marketing in order to get ahead. But what i would hope for this they wouldnt lead to a john kennedy did in muncie one, he said that actually is not as bad as we thought. So bring it back down again. And i understand this is like a game. Like trash talk in the best booking. To prep trying to upset then the at the top of the game so that you win the game. And in a way, it shows a lack of confidence that you can when the game but thats the way ball games are mostly played but it would be nice to the politicians would then say, while i was just kidding. Or but, now that im here and i found out all of the information, some as bad as he said. So we can all go back to feeling a little more comfortable because the level of fear is really the thing that dissolves society. Speech of theres another fair there as well. And it is probably contributing to or part of the result of social media and just a whole bunch of other factors. People are very afraid is being seen as weak. Whereas winter are a loser. In these are things that i dont think my grandfather would understand that it all. He really believed in second chances. If you believe in second chances, then you dont believe in the whole winner or loser thing. Then hurled it people but these are attacks on peoples motives and the personalities and i dont think it helps at all. It does not help because then people might make illinformed decisions just so there seem to be doing something. When in fact, spitting more time studying the issue are looking at the background thinking about the longterm consequences would be more productive. George your grandfather certainly embodied that. If everyone is a loser, winners are just losers with more patients. Susan that is good and i like that. George so we will have one last question here. This is from evans. How did he find a different to be a leader in the military versus lady the world of politics and government. Which one was more difficult for him. Goodness that in your book. I was very interested in that. Susan i am so happy for the question because there is no question that Dwight Eisenhower and learning curve when he got into fullblown retail politics. First of all, one of the big differences is when your fivestar general everybody, you outrank everybody. [laughter]. And the military is organized in a way to follow orders. And i would say that and i think it is. Evident in the book that is a fivestar general, he was remarkably flexible and he was not like his former boss, general Douglas Macarthur who was tough on the troops. And addicted to the attention he received. And in any case, the, i think he described it during the chief of staff years where he said that the biggest job in the military as commander or supreme commander, is to think through how you really view things. What his strategy will be then just bring others along, billy people. And then he said but ive noticed from making an washington the making of your own mind on something is only just the beginning of the problem. And then he outlines all of the various problems there are. You dont know who is connected to who and who has a grudge against two. And this is actually a very funny part and i thank you so probably particular funny because eroded in his diary which he never thought would get published for all of us to read and enjoy. But you know, you saw some early pickups in the campaign. In later, will mostly in the campaign. But he picked up the algorithm of it. Quickly. I can just say that if we do not understand some of those pickups like his staff releasing his speech during the mccarthy encounter in minnesota and we are missing the adjustment he had to make. I think probably anytime than in the lakes or any staff did not do what they were told to do, this was a big problem with him. Because what you do in the military so he ran a tight ship in the white house. I believe it or not, his associates were tremendously respectful of it. I know any of his associates and they liked the fact they were given a lot of leeway. It was a very good person at delegating. But they understood they had to be personally responsible for the decisions they were making as well. And i should add that i had a. Good sense of who needed the short range and who keep could give more latitude to pray devoted to fascinating question. Thank you so much for asking. Because we tend to study eisenhower the president or study eisenhower the general partner we dont really put the two of them together as much as we should. Because the said was a real one starting with his role as chief of staff of the army. And going on from there. George and the people still have the feeling of so any different kinds of generals including really big egotist and he had to deal with in patton and Douglas Macarthur who used to be has boss. That is one thing. Thus the politicians, he had to learn a whole new set of buttons to push or whatever. Two understand what drives them. It certainly not trying to win a war. When election yes but anyway, he did a wonderful job of showing both sides of that breezy great book for those of you who want to know. For much more detail, get it and enjoy it. Im sorry that draws home and have time to read it. But its a great idea for anybody that wants to go back to the period of time. So thank you very much susan for explaining your book and the great pictures of your grandfather and yourself from your childhood. And so ends another event. In his 118th year of enlightened discussion