Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-10-13

at national headquarters and the ques-
ton probably will be answered by the
President himself, since he Is directing
larger tactics Of the campaign. With
the polls running so heavily In his favor,
one group argues that several speeches
would be interpreted as q sign Of fear
over the outcome; another group feels
that he owes the country q statement
Of what he expects to do If reelected.
Fear Of Losing the House.
Another reason for one or severrl
political speeches by the President s
the fear of losing the House to the r.
publicans. 1t is unlikely the politically
astute Mr.. Roosevelt would repeat the
blunder made by President Wilson IN
1918 when he demanded a Democrat c
House to support his policies. vet the
practical politicians, despite the presi-
Dental polls and reports of local chair
men, are not overlooking the possibility
of a close election. If there is another
Roosevelt landslide, as indicated by
some polls, of course the House would
remain firmly Democratic and probably
firmly New Deal. AS noted, the Presi-
dent himself probably will decide
whether the situation requires political
speeches from him, and II he makes
them he will find his own phrases to ex-
press his desire for Democratic House.
The Senate will remain safely Demo-
cratic to 1914 at the earliest.
While carrying out the grand STRAIT
egy," the Democrats. through na.ion-l
and local speakers, have not given ~
the orthodox tactics evolved when the
Republican presidential nominee WIS
an unknown quantity. The Democratic
platform carried out the Presidents
often announced belief that the votes
should be given their choice between
liberal and conservative nominees ard
programs. The Democratic platform
sought to draw this line and, using cleo
trio power as an example, said:
The nomination of a utility execu-
tive by the Republican party as its presi-
Dental nominee raises squarely the issue,
whether the Nations waterpower shall
be used for all the people or for TIE
selfish interest of few. We accept
that issue"
WILKES Issues Lack Full Force.
Wilkes virtually complete indors--
ment of the New Deal domestic laws
but not their administration-has robbed
this issue of much of its force, yet A.
torney General Jackson, Secretary Icke-,
Federal Security Administrator McNut-.
Senator Norris Mayor La Guardia ard
many other New Dealers have MADE
this and WILKES business backing
major theme of their campaign speeches
This is the liberal approach.
The Flynns, the Michelsons, the KEEL
lys, the Hagues. the Southern Demo-
Gratis and most of the incumbents Of
the Senate and House are not develop
ing this field. From the New York ma
tional headquarters, to the regional Of
fees. the State leaders down to the
precinct workers. the practical politi-
clans are comparing the Rooseveltian
record to the Willkie promises, with the
muffier on the old, effective Farley ma
chine which got out the voters in 1922
and 1886 in time tested, expensive bally-
hoo style
Or to change the metaphor and 10
look at the situation from another angle,
the President is making the race over
the same old track, but under wraps es
he must do if he is to maintain his atti-
tude that he was drafted" at Chicago
because of the international situation.
The Democratic realists. at this writing.
are convinced that this has been sue
cessful strategy.