Senator Joseph McCarthy Urges Eisenhower to Oppose James Conant’s Nomination as High Commissioner for Germany (1953)

Date: February 3, 1953

Created By: Joseph McCarthy

Original or Replica: Original

Era: McCarthyism and the Red Scare, The Presidency

Collection: Eisenhower Presidential Library

Citations: DDE’s Papers as President, Name Series, Box 22, McCarthy Joseph; NAID #16660398

In this February 3, 1953 letter, Senator Joseph McCarthy informs newly inaugurated President Dwight D. Eisenhower that he strongly opposes the confirmation of James B. Conant as U.S. High Commissioner for Germany. McCarthy outlines several objections to Conant, including his wartime support for policies resembling the Morgenthau Plan, his views on the redistribution of wealth, his opposition to parochial schools, and his statements concerning alleged Communists in American universities. McCarthy argues that these positions demonstrated poor judgment and made Conant unsuitable for the important diplomatic position in West Germany.

McCarthy makes clear that he is not accusing Conant himself of being a Communist or pro-Communist, and even describes him as intelligent and a “fine gentleman.” Nevertheless, he argues that Conant had been too willing to dismiss concerns about Communist activity in education and therefore lacked the judgment necessary to confront Communist influence in Germany. McCarthy explains that he would normally launch an aggressive Senate fight against the nomination but worries that a public battle could provide Communist propaganda in Europe and damage the new Eisenhower administration. He therefore tells Eisenhower that he will vote against Conant but will not publicly campaign against the nomination. McCarthy describes this as one of the most difficult decisions he had made, believing he was choosing the lesser of two harmful alternatives.

The letter provides a revealing example of McCarthy’s influence, anticommunist arguments, and his early relationship with the Eisenhower administration.