Changes

Berger (1967) rejected the [[liberal]] criticism of Taft as an "isolationist", which is a pejorative term used by the [[Left]] to smear opponents of [[globalism]].  Berger says Taft was rather a "conservative nationalist at odds with the struggling attempts of liberal American policy-makers to fashion a program in the postwar years." Taft profoundly believed in the exceptionalism of America and its people, and argued the "principal purpose of the foreign policy of the United States is to maintain the liberty of our people." Taft identified three fundamental requirements for the maintenance of American liberty-an economic system based on free enterprise, a political system based on democracy, and national independence and sovereignty. All three, he feared, might be destroyed in a war, or even by extensive preparations for war, so he did not see Stalin's [[Soviet Union]] as a major threat to American values. Nor did he pay much attention to internal Communism. The true danger he said was big government and runaway spending. He supported the [[Truman Doctrine]], reluctantly approved the [[Marshall Plan]], and opposed [[NATO]] as unnecessary and provocative. He consistently opposed the draft and took the lead condemning President [[Harry S. Truman]]'s handling of the [[Korean War]].<ref>See John Moser, "Principles Without Program: Senator Robert A. Taft and American Foreign Policy," ''Ohio History,'' (1999) 108#2 pp. 177-192.</ref>

Berger (1967) rejected the [[liberal]] criticism of Taft as an "isolationist", which is a pejorative term used by the [[Left]] to smear opponents of [[globalism]].  Berger says Taft was rather a "conservative nationalist at odds with the struggling attempts of liberal American policy-makers to fashion a program in the postwar years." Taft profoundly believed in the exceptionalism of America and its people, and argued the "principal purpose of the foreign policy of the United States is to maintain the liberty of our people." Taft identified three fundamental requirements for the maintenance of American liberty-an economic system based on free enterprise, a political system based on democracy, and national independence and sovereignty. All three, he feared, might be destroyed in a war, or even by extensive preparations for war, so he did not see Stalin's [[Soviet Union]] as a major threat to American values. Nor did he pay much attention to internal Communism. The true danger he said was big government and runaway spending. He supported the [[Truman Doctrine]], reluctantly approved the [[Marshall Plan]], and opposed [[NATO]] as unnecessary and provocative. He consistently opposed the draft and took the lead condemning President [[Harry S. Truman]]'s handling of the [[Korean War]].<ref>See John Moser, "Principles Without Program: Senator Robert A. Taft and American Foreign Policy," ''Ohio History,'' (1999) 108#2 pp. 177-192.</ref>

===Presidency===

===Presidential ambitions===

[[File:Perry_Wilbon_Howard,_II.jpg|thumb|right|210px|Taft's 1952 presidential ambitions were supported by [[Perry Howard, II]].]]

[[File:Perry_Wilbon_Howard,_II.jpg|thumb|right|210px|Taft's 1952 presidential ambitions were supported by [[Perry Howard, II]].]]

Taft sought the GOP nomination in [[United States presidential election, 1948|1948]] but it went to his arch-rival, Governor [[Thomas E. Dewey]] of New York.  One reason was Taft's reluctance to support farm subsidies, a position that hurt his party in the farm belt. Taft relied on a national core of loyalists, but had trouble breaking through to independents, and hated to raise money.

Taft sought the GOP nomination in [[United States presidential election, 1948|1948]] but it went to his arch-rival, Governor [[Thomas E. Dewey]] of New York.  One reason was Taft's reluctance to support farm subsidies, a position that hurt his party in the farm belt. Taft relied on a national core of loyalists, but had trouble breaking through to independents, and hated to raise money.