Presidential Papers, Doc#579 To Paul Gray Hoffman, 2 December 1953. In The Papers of Dwight David Eisenhower
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Document #579; December 2, 1953
To Paul Gray Hoffman
Series: EM, AWF, Administration Series
The Papers of Dwight David Eisenhower, Volume XV - The Presidency: The Middle Way
Part IV: "Pushing ahead along the broad center"; December 1953 to March 1954
Chapter 8: A world "racing toward catastrophe"

 

Dear Paul: Your letter of the twenty-fifth makes sense to me.1 In fact, so far as preparatory work on my State of the Union Message is concerned, I have been following somewhat along the line you suggest. To become an Administration or Republican "bible" it will need, of course, certain supplementary documents.2 I refer to those that will contain specific legislative proposals, which will necessarily be presented in somewhat more detail than would be appropriate to the Message itself.

I particularly like your thought that it should be a message of hope; I shall try to make it so.3

With all the best and love to your Dorothy. As ever

1 Writing from California Hoffman had suggested that Eisenhower use his State of the Union message in January 1954 to dispell doubts about his Administration in the minds of the people (AWF/A). He advised Eisenhower to set forth policies "clearly and sharply" and to pledge that he would do everything in his power to enact his own program. Hoffman also proposed that the address serve as a "screening device" for congressional candidates. "The National Committee and the Citizens Committee should support only those candidates who agree to support your program," he wrote, "because it is your program and your program only that can save the Republican party."

2 In earlier letters Eisenhower had referred to the Administration's program as its "Bible"; see nos. 525 and 530.

3 Hoffman had written, "Your State of the Union message will also be potent in moving us from a state of fear to one of hope." For developments see no. 586.

Bibliographic reference to this document:
Eisenhower, Dwight D. To Paul Gray Hoffman, 2 December 1953. In The Papers of Dwight David Eisenhower, ed. L. Galambos and D. van Ee, doc. 579. World Wide Web facsimile by The Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial Commission of the print edition; Baltimore, MD: The Johns Hopkins University Press, 1996, http://www.eisenhowermemorial.org/presidential-papers/first-term/documents/579.cfm

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