The potters herald. [volume] (East Liverpool, Ohio) 1899-1982, 1940-07-18
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Inc nomination OF Wendell Wlllkle
as the Republican presidential candi-
date signified a triumph of aggressive
public sentiment over machine politics.
And, on top Of that, it was a political
Mr.. Willkie has never held public
office. Six or seven years ago he was
virtually unknown, save in a limited
industrial circle. Up to a year or so
ago the public at large knew little or
nothing about him. A few months be-
fore the convention, some of the lead
ing columnists began writing about
him, observing that he would make a
model candidate but that, unfortunate
ly, his complete lack of influential po-
litical backing made his nomination
virtually impossible. Major news
papers editorially expressed similar
views. Mr.. Willkie was, in other
words, the darkest of dark horses, in
a field filled with political luminaries
long in the public eye. Apparently
Mr. Willkie himself first took sug-
gestions that he might be the candi-
date, as flattering but rather idle con-
versation.
When the Willkie campaign got un-
derway, it was run entirely by anna
teurs. His name was not entered in
any state primaries-though he did
receive very large and purely vol
untary write-in vote in some states.
No delegate to the convention was
really pledged to him. The compara-
tive handful of votes he received on
the first ballot came from unpledged
delegates who, with the whole field to
pick from, considered him the best
man. And long before that ballot was
polled, it became evident that supposed
Dewey and Taft strongholds were
cracking fast in favor of Willkie. Some
of the party leaders, finding their in
|huence waning, organized an almost
hysterical "stop-Willkie" movement. 1t
added to his support, and
on the third ballot, when Dewey lost
heavily, it was clear that Willkie was
to be the man.
The obvious question is, What man
ner of man is this, who so dramatical-
lily licked the COP bosses to a stand
Istill? And the obvious answer is that
he is very remarkable man indeed.
No one doubts his intellectual capabil-
jity for the number one U. S. job. A
Jeffersonian in political philosophy Che
first voted Republican in 1886, when
he became convinced the New Deal
had Abandoned democratic principles
and was moving toward collectivism)
he has done magnificent job of pub
| licizing the issue of the individual ver-
sus the state-he is implacably OPP
Iposed to government going into busi-
ness competition with it's citizens, and
to dictatorial government domination
Of the social and economic life of the
nation. But in these days, intellectual
capacity is not enough-other talents
are needed, and Mr.. Wiilkie has then
to. AS William Allen White has writ
ten, he is extremely photogenic-he is
a big man, jovial in manner, with g
shaggy, leonine head. He is quick as
they come on his mental feet, and has
highly developed sense of humor. As
a speaker and radio platform person.
ality, he is one of the best-many
think even better in this regard thar
/ President Roosevelt. He has a strong
sense of drama, and great aptitude
for the telling phrase. In brief, season
ed political observers feel that he was
the only COP aspirant with the i'm
jportant physical as we'll as mental at
tributes needed to battle the stronges
Democratic candidate on even terms.
: The Republican platform says little
and means less That is not important
Mr.. Willkie will make the platform
4. himself, and no one in these days pay!
much attention to the political planks
While he believes in private enterprise
he believes also in strict regulation
iand the iron-handed elimination o
. business abuses. On foreign policy HI
| favors aid to the allies, but is pledged
against declaring war. He is especial
,Ily strong in defense of civil liberties
for minorities not less than majoritics
and has pointed out that if we are t
assure the perpetuation of freedom, W.
must always protect the liberty o
those whose views we abhor no les
:, than those whose views we endorse
He detests fascism, and all that i
t stands for.
l The nomination Of Senator McNar'
2 Of Oregon for second place on tn
ticket was what the sporting frater
: nifty call natural No senator ha
so strong following in the West, AM
;. in the all-important agriculture
, states. He is perhaps the ablest par
Humanitarian in Congress, and is uni
versally popular. His record as mi
: nority leader during the COPS leanes
= days has been excellent. He is def
i mite asset to the ticket.
= Many experts are saying that tn
nomination of Mr.. Willkie makes tn
denomination, by draft if necessary, o
President Roosevelt almost certain
Reason is that the Democrats mus
y NOW put their best foot forward-an
l. the President is their best foot by fal
: Mr.. Willkie is far too strong a candi
q date, far too good speaker, to oppos