Tenure In 1952, Dirksen supported the presidential candidacy of fellow Senator Robert A. Taft of Ohio, the longtime leader of the Republican party's conservative wing. At the national party convention, Dirksen gave a speech attacking New York Governor Thomas E. Dewey, a liberal Republican and the leading supporter of General Dwight Eisenhower. During his speech, Dirksen pointed at Dewey on the convention floor and shouted, "Don't take us down the path to defeat again", a reference to Dewey's presidential defeats in 1944 and 1948. His speech was met by cheers from conservative delegates and loud boos from pro-Eisenhower delegates. After Eisenhower won the nomination, Dirksen supported him.
tEnuRe IN 1952, dirKSen sUPpoRted the PrESidENtial candidacY of FELlOw seNAtOR robErT a. tafT of ohiO, the LONgTiME leader of the rePubLICaN party'S cOnserVaTive wiNg. aT thE natiOnal pArTY convEntIon, dirKSeN GaVe A spEech AttackiNG nEw YOrk governor thomAs E. Dewey, A liBerAl rEpubLIcan and the LeadiNG supPoRter Of genErAl dWIghT eiSEnhower. DurinG His spEEch, dirksen poinTed At Dewey on THe coNVeNTion flooR aNd ShoUted, "dON't tAke Us DowN thE PAth to Defeat agaiN", A reFeRencE TO deweY's preSiDEnTiaL DefEaTS IN 1944 aNd 1948. his spEEcH WAS Met bY chEeRS from conservATIvE dEleGates and lOUd BOos from Pro-eisenHoweR delegateS. afTer eisenhoWeR wOn the NOMiNAtion, dIrksEN suPported him.