The Waterbury Democrat., 1932-08-31

Washington-It probably makes very little difference whether MT Hoover or Mir Roosevelt is the bet ter politician, as far as the election result Is involved.
 The voters know alarmed well, or will know darned well before long, which of those twain will get their respective votes in November. Nevertheless, non one can stop you from dwelling now on the technique of this campaign and on the relative merits of two such artists. There may be men who are play ing more politics than MT Hoover and Mir Roosevelt--and probably are-but the two of them remain so persistently in the national spot light that no one ever observes their competitors. Consequently. one selects for examination the performances of the stars. Roosevelt More COlorful Roosevelt is the more colorful and spectacular of the two, but not necessarily the most effective. They are in different position and they must play different styles of poll tics. Hoover is much better equip lped to play his own game than the which is expedient for Roosevelt, wereas if Roosevelt tried to af- feet Hoover's style he would be sunk.
 They have been playing their respective games exceptionally well of late, but each has made a major biunder.
 Roosevelt made a pre-convention campaign which incensed or ir- ritated many persons for various reasons. They haven't all gotten over 1t yet, either. Between those who dislike him because they loved Smith and thing he didn't do right by Al and those who are convinced that he is weak and tricky or "an- other Hoover" there Is q consider able kroup which holds him in law esteem. Perhaps his tactics were those best calculated to win n nomination.
 HOOvcr's Bonus BOncr
 Hoover, 1t is now agreed by most "experts, pulled bad boner when he had the troops drive the bonus army out of Washington. Many applaud his course. but 1t does not appear to have gained him any votes and 1t does. appearf to have lost him quite few.
 The initial unfavorable reaction, contrary to the reaction expected, was followed by such an exetra- ordinary attempt among adminis- ton officials to misrcprcsent the %a At thArn la little nnAattnn tha the mistake was realized al- most at once.
 What this whole country wants, however, is better times. The ob- viously best way for Hoover to play politics is to be a mighty good president or, at least, to create the impression.
 He must stay on the job and make 1t appear that he is doing as much as any man could pos- sibly do to heal the ailments of business and relieve distress. His acceptance speech was fine, forceful attempt to sell tho coun- try on past performances. No one could have made q better defense and probably no one in his, posi- ton could have tried more shrewd- iy and effectively to land on the popular side of the prohibition issue
 Thc Presidents Vast Program
 He has done so many things, even though the business indexes do keep on going down, that he is able to point to a vast program and claim credit at any time the country appears to be turning the corner. Now. just in advance of election, there Is n swell new pro- gram of "unihed reconstruction" for which Hoover is calling in various nationwide business and industrial committees.
 Roosevelt is playing equally good politics as the attacker. He, : like Hoover. must be conceded pas- sionate concern for the nations in- tercst. but has to play more obvi- ous politics becatise he is trying to crash his way into the White House and nudge smother man out. So he has just fire into the cam paign, broken precedents. capital- ixed his charming personality to the tmaost--and undertaken to prove it q forceful one. decided on --.----A----------~---