You're probably right. The Eisenhower-Nixon influence on the GOP was the longest in the 20th century, as opposed to Reagan's, which was brief, in comparison. That Nixon-Eisenhower influence would be a good thing in foreign affairs, but could be a handicap domestically.
Funny thing, I just saw a review of a new book by H.W. Brands, "The Strange Death of American Liberalism." Brands argues that the mid 20th century successes of liberalism were a result of the Cold War. With the Cold War over, in Brand's view liberalism will recede. On the last page of the book: "(Of course in the presence of a renewed security threat, the liberals will once again be called to power -- QED)."
I don't know if the first two propositions are valid, but the third may well come true. Maybe Brands inserted that last bit after 911, but this is a strange case of a book being both obsolete and exceptionally timely even before it's published.
If history is any guide, we may see not just new security measures, but more general social policies and social changes designed to win us support in other parts of the world in our current war.