If Ike was "apolitical" but ran as a Republican, then doesn't that make him a perfect case in point RINO?
Don't use the term RINO,when what you really are trying to say,is that someone wasn't/isn't a Conservative.
Isn't RINO the term generally given to Republicans who are not conservatives and by word and deed undermine conservatism? Eisenhower rarely challenged the Democrats on any issue, and I would argue his weakness as a party leader played a part in the GOP losing their Congressional majority in 1954.
Eisenhower named Earl Warren and William Brennan to the U.S. Supreme Court (though in fairness Ike regretted doing so). Still, you can see how it happened. Ike was a RINO and he appointed a RINO (Warren) was Chief Justice. And Brennan was a Democrat.
You've been a member of FR,for all this time,and STILL don't know this?
Look,the GOP is NOT the CONSERVATIVE PARTY;it just isn't! Republicans come in all stripes and always have done! And no,there is NO "Conservative Party";not even the fringe parties!
Since Ike felt more "at home" in the GOP,was a self proclaimed Republican,he WAS a Republican! Was he a Conservative? No,not a hard core one,and he never claimed to be one.
And many career military clothe themselves in the " apolitical" mode.They have to take orders from the president,which NO party owns forever.
Ike was NO RINO and you shouldn't use terms,the definitions of which,you have less than no idea of.