Evening star., 1936-05-27

"All over but the Landon shouting" is
the well nigh universal view of the Re-
publican presidential race as it roars
into the home stretch. AS things stand
today, the Governors defeat at Cleve-
land would be political upset of almost
unprecedented magnitude. 1t would
prove that the age of miracles is not
past. Few authorities believe it will
happen. For the most part, doubts
exist now only as to whether the Kansan
will make the grade on the second or
the third ballot. Favorite son commit
ments and other obligations incumbent
upon various delegations probably make
it impossible for Landon to win on the
opening round But before the initial
roll call is over his hackers are confident
that the band wagon will be in full
motion and insure victory soon after
ward. They see no possibility of a
stop-Landon movement getting any
where in time to achieve its purpose.
The Borah and Knox people, sticking
to figures of their own, refuse to con-
cede that the outlook is nearly as rosy
for the Governor as his cocksure sup
porters so enthusiastically claim. Never
theless, the tide at this witching hour
is running so strongly in his favor that
few G. o. P. politicians think it can
be checked.
Senator Vandenberg has let it be
known that he intends speaking straight
from the shoulder during his Columbia
question-and-answe radio interview
next Sunday evening. There is, OF
course, no suggestion that the out
n do orly intends
launching anything in the nature OF an
attack on any candidate now prominent
in the Cleveland free-for-all. The ex-
pectation rather is that the Senator VIII
supply vivid and vigorous outline OF
his views on the issues of the DAY,
couched in terms that will challenge
the Republican partys interest at this
psychological moment and rivet its at
tention on Vandenberg's availability in
certain contingencies fortnight hence.
With Cleveland just around the corner,
it Is universally conceded that the
Wolverine statesman has conducted him.
self with mastery shrewdneSs during
the pre-convention period, especially in
the Senate during this session, and in
consequence occupies next to Gov. Lam
don the unquestionably strongest posi-
lion OF any man IN Cfle uetu. VdnuCi-
berg will attend the convention, not as
delegate from Michigan, but not ex-
actly as disinterested bystander.
y 4
Senator Borah's broadcast this week
also is expected to clarity the pre-
convention situation, both as to his
candidacy and his campaign intentions.
With the Idahoan's nomination no
longer q practical possibility, his atti-
tude toward the party ticket becomes
matter Of paramount Importance, as
far as he is concerned. The Senate
veteran in the past has been proud Of
his reputation for regularity. While he
has said he win not consider himself
bound to remain on the 1896 reservation,
regardless of what happens, Republican
leaders ardently hope that Borah's voice
and popular appeal will be at the party's
disposal after the smoke of battle has
cleared away on the shores of Lake
Erie. Borah in opposition to or luke
warm toward the Cleveland nominee
would be of definite detriment to the
q. o. p. cause.
~ Il
That statement just issued by Repre-
sentative snAll Republican minngity