McCarthy's biggest mistake was televising the hearings and attacking members of the U.S. Army. The televised nature of the hearings exposed his mean-spirited tactics to the public, significantly damaging his credibility and public support.
"Tail Gunner Joe" Shot Down
When Dwight Eisenhower became president, he had no love for McCarthy. However, Ike was reluctant to condemn McCarthy for fear of splitting the Republican Party. McCarthy's accusations went on into 1954, when the Wisconsin senator focused on the United States Army. For eight weeks, in televised hearings, McCarthy interrogated army officials, including many decorated war heroes.
But this was his tragic mistake. Television illustrated the mean-spiritedness of McCarthy's campaign. The army then went on the attack, questioning McCarthy's methods and credibility. In one memorable fusillade, the Council for the Army simply asked McCarthy, "At long last, have you no sense of decency left?"
Poll after poll showed the American people thought that McCarthy was unscrupulous in his attack of the army.
Fed up, McCarthy's colleagues censured him for dishonoring the Senate, and the hearings came to a close. Plagued with poor health and alcoholism, McCarthy himself died three years later.What was McCarthy's biggest mistake?
testing President Eisenhower's patience
placing members of the U.S. Army under arrest for treason
splitting the Republican Party with his accusations
televising the hearings and attacking members of the U.S. Army
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