I wouldn't say Eisenhower was socialist. More likely a "respectable Republican" who was willing to trim back a bit, but didn't want to be an "extremist."
Democrats always push the country left. Then "respectable Republicans" cluck their disapproval and trim back a bit. Just a bit. Anything more would be extreme and partisan.
Eisenhower meant well, but he had taxes up into the 80-90% range. In government the road to hell is paved with good intentions. He seemed on the alert to the “industrial-military complex” but seemed blind to the threat of the ever-growing unconstitutional portion of the federal government.
Same with the GOP and the Right in general.