The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1911-09-20
CAN HE BE ELECTED?

CAN HE BE ELECTED?
Judged just as dispaSsiOnately as
we can, with all prejudice, all person
al likes or dislikes thrown aside, we
are forced to the opinion that the pro-
posed candidacy of Mr.. LaFollette for
the presidential nomination, is un.
wise, ill-timed and suicidal so far as
the republican party is concerned.
The first requisite in any candidate
is availability. Can he be elected, is
the first question which must be met
and answered with some degree of
positiveness, in the affirmative. No
matter what his other qualifications,
no matter how good an official he
might make, if elected, the question
as to whether he could be elected or
not, must be the first consideration.
Perhaps it would be better to lead a
| fOrlorn hope. Perhaps it would be
better to wade through buckets of
blood to an open grave. Nevertheless
this question of availability is the
first that confronts not only the poll
tician, but the statesman or the bust
ness man whenever he would select a
man to represent him. IN,
1t is therefore strictly from the
standpoint of availability that we
would discuss the candidacy of Mr..
LaFollette.
The good general in drawing his
lines of battle first views as accurate
lily as possible the strength and posi-
ton of the enemy.
There is no question but that the
outlook for democracy is the brightest
since the election of Grover Cleve-
land. TO large extent the same con-
ditions prevail. The victory at the
last congressional election has in
|spired the democrats with hope and
confidence. They have half dozen
candidates upon whom they can reas-
onably unite. AS between Taft and
LaFOllette there is no question but
that the democrats would vote for
LaFOllette. There is no question but
that LaFollette would have their sym
pathy at the primaries, he might, and
probably would, get many democratic
votes at the primary. But the cleo
ton would be another question. Then
the choice would be between LaFol-
lette on the one hand and some such
democrat as Wilson, Clark, Under
wood or Harmon on the other. Does
amy sane man believe that the demo
Gratis, with possible victory in the air,
would prefer a neardemocrat like La
Toilette to the genuine article? 1t is
out of the question that the democrats
will desert their own standard in any
considerable numbers, either for La
Toilette or for any other republican.
So far as the democratic vote is con-
cerned Taft and LaFollette are on
exactly the same footing. LaFollette
would have more of the democratic
sympathy, but such sympathy is not
an asset at the polls.
Republican victory must come, if it
comes at all, from republican votes.
1t must come because the people wish
the continuance of republican poll
cies, because they do not wish to try
free trade and are fearful of the ira
ditional results of democratic rule
Who best can unite the republican |
vote of the nation is therefore the |
problem to be considered.
Allowing full credence to the claims
of the rapid growth of insurgency it
must still be admitted that it is mi
nority faction in the republican party
LaF'ollette could doubtless make as
spectacular campaign as did William
Jennings Bryan, but could he get the
votes? Is there any possibility for
him to carry New York or Pennsyl-
vania, Ohio, Michigan, or any of the
easter states? Whether right or
wrong, is it not fact that thousands
Of republicans would be SO incensed
over the reputation of President Taft
and so fearful of the radicalism of
LaFollette that he could not command
heir votes? Would not the choice
between a democrat and a near-dem-
ocrat impel them. either to remain