Dynamic Conservatism

Throughout his presidency, Dwight Eisenhower preached a doctrine of “Dynamic Conservatism.” This was a monicker for his middle-of-the-road politics. Similarly he called himself a “modern Republican,” saying he was

“. . . conservative when it comes to money, liberal when it comes to human beings.”

Supporting this claim, President Eisenhower continued all the major New Deal programs still in operation, especially Social Security. He expanded its programs and rolled them into a new cabinet-level agency, the Department of Health, Education and Welfare, while extending benefits to an additional ten million workers. His cabinet, consisting of several corporate executives and one labor leader, was dubbed by one journalist, “Eight millionaires and a plumber.”