<P> Both campaigns made use of television ads . A notable ad for Eisenhower was an issue - free, feel - good animated cartoon with a soundtrack song by Irving Berlin called "I Like Ike ." For the first time, a presidential candidate's personal medical history was released publicly, as were partial versions of his financial histories, because of the issues raised in Nixon's speech . Near the end of the campaign, Eisenhower, in a major speech, announced that if he won the election he would go to Korea to see if he could end the war . His great military prestige, combined with the public's weariness with the conflict, gave Eisenhower the final boost he needed to win . </P> <P> Throughout the entire campaign, Eisenhower led in all opinion polls, and by wide margins in most of them . </P> <P> To circumvent the local Republican Party apparatus mostly controlled by Taft supporters, the Eisenhower forces created a nationwide network of grass - roots clubs, "Citizens for Eisenhower ." Independents and Democrats were welcome, as the group specialized in canvassing neighborhoods and holding small group meetings . Citizens for Eisenhower hoped to revitalize the GOP by expanding its activist ranks and by supporting moderate and internationalist policies . It did not endorse candidates other than Eisenhower . However Eisenhower paid it little attention after he won, and it failed to maintain its impressive starting momentum . Instead it energized the conservative Republicans, leading finally to the Barry Goldwater campaign of 1964 . Long - time Republican activists viewed the newcomers with suspicion and hostility . More significantly, activism in support of Eisenhower did not translate into enthusiasm for the party cause . </P> <P> On election day, Eisenhower won a decisive victory, winning over 55% of the popular vote and carrying thirty - nine of the forty - eight states . Stevenson did not win a single state north of the Mason--Dixon line or west of Arkansas, whilst Eisenhower took three Southern states that the Republicans had won only once since Reconstruction: Virginia, Florida, and Texas . Despite the Republican win in Florida, this remains the last time to date a Democrat has won Collier County before southwestern Florida was turned into a growing Sun Belt Republican stronghold, and is also the last time a Democrat has won Aiken County, South Carolina, before the "Solid South" would collapse in the wake of the Civil Rights Movement. 1952 is also, however, the last time a Republican won Yolo County, California, or Native American Rolette County, North Dakota, and the last until Donald Trump in 2016 that the Republicans won Pacific County, Washington, or Swift County, Minnesota . This was the last time the Republicans won Missouri until 1968 and the last time the Democrats won Kentucky until 1964 . It is also the last time that a Republican won the election without Kentucky . Stevenson's 700 - vote win was the smallest percentage margin in any state since Woodrow Wilson won New Hampshire by fifty - six votes in 1916 . </P>

What was one reason for the democratic defeat in the presidential election of 1952