Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1939-11-08

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Seemingly, from recent polls of pub
lie sentiment showing rise in his
popularity, whatever uneasiness NAV
have been felt on that score has
been largely wiped out by the cir
cumspect course of the administra-
ton during the neutrality fight.
The impression that the Presi-
dent is a dangerous" man might
get abroad, and if it should the anti
tnlrd-termers among the Demo-
cratS would have a better weapon
against him than any they now pos
sess. The Republicans, if he should
be nominated despite that handicap.
with Europe still at war and this
country still determined to STAY out.
would have heaven-sent ADVANTAGE
that in all probability would give
them the election.
so much has been taught by the
countrys manifest opposition to our
involvement in the war. as reflected
IN the recent debate in Congress.
No Indication of Change,
There is, however, no indication
that Mr.. Roosevelt will depart from
the cautious path he has lately fol-
lowed. And so long as he follows
t9at path, unless and until he is
undermined by other causes arising
IN the next session of Congress. he
Will continue the strong potential
candidate that he now is. With the
count1y's prime attention still CEN
tered OH the war in Europe and its
eHectS on the United States, all that
Mr.. Roosevelt has to do in order to
holo MS popularity is to sit tight.
what VIII happen to his chances
IN the coming session of Congress is
another question, the answer to
which is in his own hands.
VIII he launch drastic new reform
measures, frightening to business.
ana thus tear wide open, beyond
nope OF repair, his truce with the
conservative and moderate leaders
OF his party? Or will he rest on his
gains in the domestic field and con-
tlnue the collaboration which won
MS victory in the neutrality fight?
Wholly Unpredictable.
Mr.. Roosevelt, as has been re-
marked, is at times completely the
crusader. at times the highly prac-
tlcal politician, at times the Stub
porn Dutchman. He is therefore
wholly unpredictable. But 1t is a
fair guess that with an election COM
ing on-and this guess holds good
whether or not he has it in mind to
run again-the practical politician
in him will be in the ascendant.
His liberal reputation before the
country has been made. He can
hold that reputation, with all save
the extremists, by standing guard
over and consolidating his gains: at
the same time by making no new
move to the left and by continuing
to consult with the Garnerites, he
can soften the opposition within his
party.
Resistance on his part to the prod
dings of the left-wingers will be
easier than it was before the war
broke in Europe and this country be-
came preoccupied with its desire to
stay out. 1t will not be difficult for
him to rationalize a program con-
cerned in the main with the ma
tional defense.
Candidacy Large Possibility.
So it is that the President is
strategically well placed.
1t is greatly to be doubted that he
wants third term. But a candidacy
for third term remains a large
possibility. Mr.. Roosevelt soon after
the opening of the new Congress is
widely expected to say something
about his intentions as to 1910. He
may make his announcement at the
annual Jackson Day dinner of the
Democrats in January. The form
of this statement-if he makes one
will be of tremendous Importance.
He can make it plain that he
wouldn't take the nomination if it
were offered, or he can issue an Il
do not choose to run" remuneration.
This would not be regarded by the
ardent third-termers as final. They
would say that every effort had been
made to build up another New Deal
candidate: that every such effort
had failed; that only Mr.. Roosevelt
remained as the hope of liberalism.
Mr.. Roosevelt may or may not play
his cards with the conscious aim of
forwarding the demand for his
nomination. All that is certain Is
that he is in fine position, both
because Of the war and because Of
the failure of other New Dealers to
capture the public imagination, to
play them that way with telling eff
fact il ha co daSiraS