Evening star., 1939-12-23
The Liberal Threat

IuS IIOSIOt uISut
Recent conversations concerning
the need for a united front among
the liberals" of the country, and
the suggestion, faint though it may
be, that it might become necessary
for them to oppose both the Repub-
lican and Democratic presidential
nominees in 1910, suggest the posi-
bility that Secretary Ickes, Mayor La
Guardia and perhaps the President
himself are fearful that the self
styled liberals will not be able to
control the next national convention
of the Democratic party.
Mr.. Ickes was once a Republican
and turned a New Dealer. Mayor
La Guardia was once a Socialist,
once a Republican. The President
has remained Democrat None of
them so far has put into words the
idea of new, national liberal party.
Mr.. Ickes has admitted the weak
ness of such a move. Yet, if third
party is not the answer, what would
remain of his threat in the event the
Democrats and the Republicans both
nominated presidential candidates
who did not measure up to the liberal
ideas of Mr.. Ickes?
Another Roosevelt sought in 1912
to carry the country as liberal can
didate for President. Still another
third party movement, headed by the
late Senator Fighting Bob" La Fol-
lette of Wisconsin, was formed in
1924 when the liberals of that day
were dissatisfied with the Republican
and Democratic presidential nomi-
nees. In 1912, the third party drive
elected a Democratic President by
splitting the Republican vote. In
1924, the liberal third party ticket
carried one State, Wisconsin, the
Democrats held the "solid South"
and the Republican candidate was
elected.
In view of the disasters which
overlook the liberals in Minnesota
and Wisconsin in the 1888 elections,
it would be understandable if these
gentlemen, in the Farmer-Labor
party and the La Toilette Progressive
party, would like very much to have
the support of the Democrats in
1910 in their own state campaigns,
and would be willing to cooperate
to the extent of supporting a Demo-
cratic nominee for President, but it
appears now, however, that they
wish to tell the Democrats whom
they are to nominate as their stand
ard bearer.
Attorney General Frank Murphy,
ardent New Dealer and supporter OF
the President, believes like Mr.. Ickes
that the liberals should unite for the
coming campaign. Mr.. Murphy,
however, is firm in his belief that
the liberals should work within the
Democratic party. In that position
he gives evidence of political COM
mon sense.
Mr.. Ickes is strongly convinced
that President Roosevelt should seek
third term, that he is the one man
In the country today fitted to be
Chief Executive. 1t may reasonably
be suspected, therefore, that the
national convention of liberals
which he proposes would be asked
to indorse the President for renomi-
nation. Such an Endorsement might
weigh heavily with the President
himself. On the other hand, the
probabilities are that it would in
crease the opposition of the anti
third term Democrats rather than
frighten them into acquiescence.
Boiled down, the issue becomes one
of control of their party by men who
have been Democrats all their lives
or OF control by men who have re-
Gently enlisted-and who might de-
sert the party if crossed in their
desires.