Final answer:
President Eisenhower selected Richard Nixon as his vice president due to Nixon's strong anti-communist stance, furthering the message that the Eisenhower administration was firm against communism.
Step-by-step explanation:
Eisenhower chose Richard Nixon for his vice president to show America that he was tough on communism. Nixon's political career was marked by his aggressive stance against alleged subversives, beginning with his work on the House Un-American Activities Committee, and his reputation for rigorous prosecution of those he deemed threats to national security. This image was contrasted with Nixon's opponent in the vice-presidential campaign, and by associating with Nixon's strong anti-Communist stance, Eisenhower could appeal to the American public's Cold War fears.