Though generally regarded as a fairly undramatic, even bland

My quick explanation

Though generally regarded as a fairly undramatic, even bland chief executive, many of President Eisenhower's assertions, such as his warning about a military-industrial complex, might have aroused controversy and ire if he had not projected such a genial, middle-of-the-road persona.

(A) many of President Eisenhower’s assertions, such as his warning about a military-industrial complex, might have aroused controversy and ire
his is referring to President Eisenhower’s - possessive case is not a good antecedent
(B) many of President Eisenhower’s assertions, such as when he warned about a military-industrial complex, might have aroused controversy and ire
he is referring to President Eisenhower’s - possessive case is not a good antecedent
(C) it might have aroused controversy and ire, such as his warning about a military-industrial complex, when President Eisenhower made assertions
it - no antecedent
(D) President Eisenhower made many assertions, such as his warning about a military-industrial complex, that might have aroused controversy and ire
his is correctly referring to President Eisenhower - not in possessive case
(E) President Eisenhower made many assertions, such as his warning about a military-industrial complex, that might have aroused controversy and ire even
even sounds odd when compared with D

I narrowed down to D and E, but marked E. what is wrong with 'even' in E

Thanks,
sahil

Its not E because the word 'even' changes the meaning of the sentence.

controversy and ire are aroused only if he had not projected such a genial, middle-of-the-road persona
It does not say that: Even if he had not projected such a genial, middle-of-the-road persona, it arouses controversy and ire.

Hope that makes sense

Agree with sahil...also want to point out that "although" is used and then using "even" is wrong to close the sentence....i.e. two changers... "E" is out

same case with me and finally picked E thinking that it would be a better choice over D .
Thanks igotthis for explanation.

Though generally regarded as a fairly undramatic, even bland chief executive, many of President Eisenhower’s assertions, such as his warning about a military-industrial complex, might have aroused controversy and ire if he had not projected such a genial, middle-of-the-road persona.

(A) many of President Eisenhower’s assertions, such as his warning about a military-industrial complex, might have aroused controversy and ire
"many of President Eisenhower’s assertions" is incorrected modified by "Though generally regarded as a fairly undramatic"

(B) many of President Eisenhower’s assertions, such as when he warned about a military-industrial complex, might have aroused controversy and ire

(C) it might have aroused controversy and ire, such as his warning about a military-industrial complex, when President Eisenhower made assertions
awkward

(D) President Eisenhower made many assertions, such as his warning about a military-industrial complex, that might have aroused controversy and ire

(E) President Eisenhower made many assertions, such as his warning about a military-industrial complex, that might have aroused controversy and ire even

It was a close call between D & E. "Even" in E helped to nullify it .

IMO D.

Regards,
Gaurav

A – ‘his’ is referring to President Eisenhower but the previous clause’s subject is ‘President Eisenhower’s instructions’ . This is not good construction.
B – Same issue with the pronoun ‘he’
C- ‘it’ has no antecedent at all.
D – Correct. ‘his’ here correctly refers to President Eisenhower.
E – Also correct but changes the meaning of the sentence. ‘even’ implies that Eisenhower’s ‘ genial, middle-of-the-road persona’ actually contributed to his assertions raising ire.

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