Dwight D. Eisenhower did not aspire to be a politician; in fact, most of his colleagues had no idea whether he was a Democrat or a Republican. "Ike" was a military man his entire life. And not your ordinary rank-and-file military man, but the greatest hero of World War ll – a five-star general whose career goal in the nuclear age was to keep America secure from the continuing threats of communism. Ike's proponents lauded him for his strategic skills, insightful thought process and courageous attitude. At a time when he could have begun enjoying retirement, he accepted the challenge of seeking the presidency because he knew that once in the Oval Office he could provide leadership for the free world in the battle versus communism and set a sane course for the use of nuclear weaponry.