Evening star., 1936-05-15

very strongly inclined to support Lam
Senator Borah'S following may pre-
sent Senator Vandenberg as a COM
promise.
Talk of bolt by Borah in the
event that he himself does not win
the nomination is heard but it is
not to be credited. Borah has never
bolted the regular Republican nomi-
nee. But he is interested in seeing
an aggressive campaign made on
principles he considers basic. His
attitude toward Landon has not been
publicly defined. though there have
been intimations that he would be
found in opposition.
Might Work For Vandenberg.
What man would Borah accept
and work enthusiastically for? 1t
might be one of his senatorial COL
leagues. like Vandenberg or perhaps
Senator Steiwer. Certainly the
Vandenberg movement would not in
the final showdown find Borah un-
friendly, but rather friendly.
Then, there's the Hoover faction
In the party, which knows there is
no chance to renominate the former
President, but nevertheless wants to
see some one nominated who has not
been unfriendly to the Hoover cause
The California primary experience
mas left residue of bad feeling among
the Hoover men, many of whom felt
that Landon did not stand I'D In a
test of major importance when the
Hearst influence was being fought BY
the regular Republican organization in
California,
Hooverites May Aid Push.
The Hooverites are not in any wav
espousing the Vandenberg cause, but
they, too, would accept the Michigan
senator. With the backing, therefore.
OF Borah, on the one hand, and the
Hoover group. on the other, the
chances of Vandenberg developing into
a formidable candidate at the con-
vention appear at the moment to be
bright indeed.
1t should not be forgotten that
while Col. Knox of Chicago is not
considered likely nominee he will
have substantial number of dele
gates. Here, too, there is a possibility
OF support for Vandenberg. This is
because Knox hailed originally from
Michigan and is close friend of the
Michigan Senator.
AS a vote-getter Vandenberg has
not been tested in any primaries this
year. but in the 1894 congressional
elections he was one of the few Re-
publicans elected. To have met the
New Deal tide successfully in a year
in which the Democrats actually in
creased their majority over 1882 is
something of an achievement in ma
tional politics.
Friends Uncertain.
The close friends of Vandenberg
are not sure they want him pushed
forward at this or any other time.
Their argument is that he might well
bide his time for 1910. This reason
ing assumes that If Mr.. Roosevelt is
reelected there will be distinct re-
versal of sentiment against the New
Deal four years hence. On the other
hand, if Landon is nominated and
elected he would naturally be the
candidate of his party four years from
now. To talk "1940" is to concede
the Roosevelt reelection.
The Michigan Senator stands very
well with his colleagues in both
Houses of Congress. At the moment,
1t does look as if the Borah strength
may be inherited by Vandenberg and
that the Michigan Senator will be
the candidate on whom the opposition
to Landon may possibly unite whether
Vandenberg wills it SO or not
Estimates few weeks ago that
tandon has the lead still hold good,
but Vandenberg is coming along much
more strongly as Borah's chances seem
to diminish.
(Copyright. 1850