Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-10-23
Confidence.

Yesterday in New YORK CITY, on the
eve of his appearance at Madison Square
Garden for his final Eastern speech OF
the campaign, Mr. Hoover, talking with
press representatives, expressed his COM
pIete confidence in his election. He
said: ct have not the slightest doubt
of the outcome of this campaign If we
continue our efforts until November 6.
The only danger Is from overconfi-
dence."
That Is, of course, the traditional
optimism of the candidate, who must at
all times, and in all circumstances, turn
q face of smiling assurance to the world,
whatever may be his fears and ankle
ties. It is the role of the campaign
manager, from the start to the very end
of the struggle, to declare abiding be-
lief in victory.
Agreement or disagreement with Mr..
Hoover's forecast is chiefly matter of
partisan leaning But there is one point
Of his statement upon which all will
concur That relates to the necessity
for continued campaign labor. 1t is true
on both sides. No matter how assured
the party workers may be, they must
keep everlastingly at the business of
arousing the voters and, on election day,
Of getting them to the polls. And 1t is
Just as true of the less-confident side.
For no campaign, however gloomy the
prospect may be shortly before election,
is really ever hopeless until the votes
are in the ballot boxes. Eleventh-hour
developments may turn the tide. A sin
gle laundering statement may swing
sentiment in close States. An awkward
gesture, especially in these days of in
slant and countrywide spreading of all
news, is likely to transform the Situa-
ton.
Whereas in all likelihood few votes
are actually positively made by srgu-
ment in the closing stages of the cam
paign, votes may be held from slip
ping. The speechmaking is not the
major work. In the final fortnight the
real task Of the party managers is to
make sure that the voters are ready to
go to the polls and, on election day,
that they do 60 to the polls.
Overconfldence has lost elections IN
the past. It has caused voters to feel
that their small individual contributions
to the result on election day are not inn
portant enough to cause them to take
the trouble to 60 to the polls. 1t has
led to the loss of necessary margins in
precincts, and in districts, and in coun-
ties and in States.
The statement by Mr.. Hoover that he
feels assured Of victory, provided the
campaign work Of the party is con-
tinued undated. should and probably
will have the effect of a stimulation of
efforts by the Democratic organization.
First Of all will come expressions Of
scorn and challenge. They viii be for
the faint-hearted. Then will come, per-
hapS simultaneously, claims Of States
already Sin the bag" enough Of them to
turn over margin above the necessary
zoo SACCJUAd1 NOSCcs Lie A6lb IODb.
Neverl Hoover assured of victory? So
is SMITH All over but the prediction
Republican scouting to make sure that
the vote is cast? Just so in the Demo-
cratic camp!
This phenomenon of confidence is
perennial. or, rather, quadrennial. 1t is
a reclIrrer1t piaSe of our politics, and
however assured in mien the partisan
or even the non-partisan onlooker may
appear to be, the approach Of election
day finds quickening of the pulse, and
election day itself is marked by a slight
rise in temperature, not to be abated
until the result is definitely known that
night, or perhaps q few hours after
ward