The Wilmington morning star., 1940-08-08
WASHINGTON
DAYBOOK

WASHINGTON, Aug. 7.-Political notes for
today: I spent hours on separate occasions re-
Gently talking to two men high in the ranks OF
two major parties and, if l have it right, both
the Democrats and Republicans are counting
on splits within the opposition to win victory.
There's nothing new or amazing about 8
party's efforts to split the opposition. The
thumb-rule of battle, 'divide and conquer" is
as hoary in politics as it is in warfare.
What is amazing is that this year ranking
politicians in both parties insist that the time
was never ripper for applying the ~split-and-win
technique.
Hearts Aren't In 1t
Said the Democrat: The GOODNESS of the "Old
Guard" Republicans, manifested toward Wen
dell L. Willkie at Philadelphia, has persisted.
Many conservative Republicans, outside of the
Wall Street crowd, are more lukewarm to Will
kie now than when he Streamrolled over the
convention floor. They may not bolt outright
but they can't put their hearts in electing q
man whose ideas are so close to those of the
New Deal and without the staunch fighting
hearts of the DID Guard" the G. O. p. is
whipped. Wil]kie split the Republican party ir
Philadelphia and it isn't politically possible
for him to back up enough now to bring them
in line. Without these leaders to guide them
in the way they should go, there will be more
Republicans voting for Roosevelt this year thar
ever before /:
Said the Republican: Why just look at the
parade of boilers NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. B u k {
and Cotton Ed Smith; George White, q
former Democratic national committee chair.
man; Lewis Douglas, John Hanes and former
Senator James Reed and that's just the begin.
ming. Roosevelt split the Democratic party by
his decision to run for a third term and by the
high-handed methods of his managers at Chi
cago. For every one OF these men OF prornin'
ence, there are hundreds of thousands in the
rank-and-fle who feel the same way and are
swinging over. There'n be more Democrats ir
the ranks of Republican voters in November
than at any time in the history Of the party
Says 1: These two men are astute politici
ans; just suppose they are both right. Where
the vote in November then? Right back
where it started, with the balance of power
not with boilers at all but with the 10 or II
million ~floaters who have nothing to bolt from
because they steer clear of party affiliations.
Called Him A Conner
Speaking of minor prophets the anonymous
author of a book called The New Dealers
published in 1894, said: "CEdward J.) Flynn
is the coming man of national Democratic
politics."
incidentally, the fellow described him as
"a reasonably well-educated man, has read
widely, collects PenneIl etchings and knows
something about economics. He can carry on
an intelligent conversation on almost any sub.
Ject, has a delightful sense of humor and plays
a fair game of golf. He's just like a successful
uptown business man.
He went on to say that the new national
Democratc committee chairman is "shrewd
and able, far ADLER than Farley"
observers here don't bother to argue that
II couldnt be proved one way or the other.
5ut What tney do say is that Farley and
Flynn are thicker than Siamese twins and thai
tne Democrats this year have got themselves,
IN ERECT, TWO national chairmen..
evidence that the campaign is getting vici.
Gus: Johnny Dem-'Willkie's the futility candi.
ua.e, ne hasn't got a chance" Tommy Cop
~ oe Just like the case Of the Duke of Wind.
sor' a KING departing with his Wallace" 3