Well it's actually ambiguous when the "conflict" began.  But if you want go back to our first involvement in French Indochina, Truman sent troops there right after WWII in 1945 and again sent military "advisers" there in 1950.  We already had troops there when Eisenhower took office.  He sent more there in the mid 1950's when the country was divided into North and South. There is no official "start" to the Vietnam War, as the US never actually declared war. Some historians say it started in the early 60's when Kennedy substantially increased troop levels, escalating the conflict. More historians say it began with the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution in 1964 under Johnson. But your point regarding Eisenhower's role is taken. And it is not inconsistent with my thesis.  I have never excused the GOP. Rather, I'm suggesting the "Party of War" title is shared. You seem to want to excuse the DNC from any culpability. I blame both parties. And I blame "we the people" for electing them.