As part of that effort, a "Pink Sheet" was distributed by the Nixon campaign suggesting that Douglas's voting record was similar to that of New York Congressman Vito Marcantonio, reputed to be a communist, and their political views must be nearly identical.[72] Nixon won the election by almost twenty percentage points.[73] During the campaign, Nixon was first called "Tricky Dick" by his opponents for his campaign tactics.[74]
In the Senate, Nixon took a prominent position in opposing global communism, traveling frequently and speaking out against it.[75] He maintained friendly relations with his fellow anti-communist, controversial Wisconsin senator Joseph McCarthy, but was careful to keep some distance between himself and McCarthy's allegations.[76] Nixon also criticized President Harry S. Truman's handling of the Korean War.[75] He supported statehood for Alaska and Hawaii, voted in favor of civil rights for minorities, and supported federal disaster relief for India and Yugoslavia.[77] He voted against price controls and other monetary restrictions, benefits for illegal immigrants, and public power.[77]

Vice presidency (1953–1961)
See also: Presidency of Dwight D. Eisenhower
Official Vice Presidential portrait
General Dwight D. Eisenhower was nominated for president by the Republicans in 1952. 