The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1938-08-18

Washington.-No topic is of such
absorbing interest in Washington
these August dogdays as the ques-
ton whether Mr.. Roosevelt really
hopes and expects to be elected IN
1910 for a third term in the White
House. The third-term issue is be-
coming more and more the major
political issue in both the Demo-
cratic and Republican parties.
Of course, Mr.. Roosevelt could
eliminate that issue by a direct
statement that he will not be a can
didate in 1910. It would have to be
a much more positive and convlnc-
ing declaration than the President
is accustomed 10 make, however,
to makel the politicans of either
party accept it as final.
When President Coolidge in 1927
made his famous declaration: II do
not choose to run for President in
1928" half of the leaders in his
own party and most of the opposl-
ton refused to credit it for what
it was, a definite and final with
drawal from the Presidential race.
Nothing milder than General VIII
liam T. Sherman's statement in 1880
would convince most Washington
political observers now that Mr..
Roosevelt is not seeking to break
another precedent and make him
self the first three-term President.
General Sherman left no doubt in
anyone's mind when he told the Re-
publican National Convention: eff
nominated I shall refuse to run; if
elected I shall refuse to serve"
Anti-New Deal Coalition
In the absence of anything so Wig
orous as that from Mr.. Roosevelt,
and with the belief steadily grow
ing that his intentions are quite the
reverse, "Stop Roosevelt" move
is already under way, mastering to
its support not only leaders OF the
Democratic party but many inf1u-
entail Republicans who are begin
ming to believe that the only way to
block third term for the present
President is for the Republicans to
get behind a Conservative Demo-
cratic leader, and throw their
strength to an anti-New Deal Goa
lition, on the old political principle:
eff you can't lick 'em, jine 'em."
It is conceded by almost every ex-
perienced political observer that if
the Presidential election were to be
held tomorrow and Mr.. Roosevelt
were again a candidate he would be
reelected. But if there were two
Democratic tickets in the field, as
there were in 1896, and the anti
Roosevelt ticket commanded the
support of the Republican voters, it
might be different story.
Political speculation here is tax
ing that direction because of the
growing belief that the Republican
Party will not be able to muster
enough strength in it's own name
to make a better showing against
as good.
It lacks two elements which, I'M
der the American political system,
are essential to the success of any
national party. One of those is
national organization built up
around nucleus of state, county
and municipal office-holders In that
respect the Republican party is I'M
der tremendous handicap The
other missing element is leadership.
1910 Republican Prospects
Whoever runs for President in
1910 must have, if he is to run
against Mr.. Roosevelt, a high de-
gree of personal magnetism and the
ability to project that personal
glamour over microphone. There
is general agreement here that the
Presidents most useful political as
set is his radio voice and manner.
He has the rare faculty of con-
vincing everyday folk who have
never seen him that he is their
friend and speaks their language.
No Republican possessing that sort
of personal charm has yet appeared
on the political horizon in a posi-
ton where he might be accepted as
a leader.
Senator Vandenbergh, who has
has become the party's spokesman
by default, has not got it. Neither
has former President Hoover, who
is generally conceded to be out of
the race as possible candidate in
1910 Mr.. Landon would like to be
the party's nominee, but is doubt
full if he could be nominated.
n