Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1942-11-19
Fact And Opinion
Why the Republicans Won.
By E. C. Stengelsen.

Why the Republicans Won.
A variety of reasons have been
given for the reelection of Stassen
and Ball. l have seen no comment,
however, which gave what 1 believe
to be the correct explanation.
For four years, the metropolitan
press of Minnesota, echoed by the
m er Republican newspapers
throughout the state, have been per-
sistently DINING at the same song
Stassen's efficient and economical ad-
administration of the states affairs.
AS experts in the field of advertis-
ing, they are well aware that if a
thing is repeated often enough, it
will ultimately be believed. No facts
need be given. And no facts were
given. Whenever they mentioned the
StasSen administration, almost invar-
iably they used the opportunity to
color the phrase with the flattering
adjectives, efficient and economical"
A large proportion of Minnesota
population gets its news and editorial
opinion chiefly from these sources:
The Minneapolis Star-Journal and
Tribune, the st. Paul Pioneer Press
& Dispatch and the Duluth Evening
Herald & News Tribune.
There was always commentator
and praise. Never word of criti-
cism. Conversely, it was never 9TH
er than critical of their opponents,
Petersen and Benson.
The voter had been constantly told
about the economy and efficiency of
the Stassen administration. He had
come to believe it.
Had he been asked to state par
ticulars with reference to Stassens
efficiency and economy, he would
have been unable to answer. He
might have made some vague re-
mark about reduction in the states
debt or lessened expenditures. He
would have been forced to concede
that his taxes had not been lowered
Had it been pointed out to him that
no credit was due Stassen for the re-
duction in the debt-that this came
about through operation of law for
which he was in nowise responsible
or that cold fact was that state
expenses were higher than before
the impression implanted in his head
by the constant newspaper publ
city would nonetheless have re-
mained-that Stassen was an effici-
ent and economical governor
The same press had, just as per-
sistently, conducted a smear cam
paign against Elmer Benson. It had
harped on the extravaganza and cor
ruption of his administration.
This, too, the voter had come to
accept as truth. Had he been asked
to name specific instances of extrav-
agance or corruption, he would have
been unable to do so. But because
it had been constantly dinned into
him, he had become firmly convinced
IlloS llAS oClioOll dIlOll IAdSA
been extravagant and corrupt.
Hjalmar Petersen attacked Stas-
sens record. Because it was on his
record that Stassen ran for re-elec-
ton, it was the logical point of at
tack.
Petersen gave details-facts and
figures. To reasonable and think
ing men, they must have been an
adequate refutation of the claim of
efficiency and economy made for the
governor.
But, unfortunately, those who rea-
soned and thought were apparently in
the minority.
But to one interested in the states
welfare, it was at least encouraging
that their number was as large as
it was.
Admittedly, there were many who
voted for Stassen for the sole reason
that he was Republican. To them,
his qualifications did not matter so
long as he was of the right party.
And there were doubtless many
who voted for Petersen who would
under no circumstances vote for a
Republican. But it is my belief that
had Stassen produced proof of econ
omy and efficiency-something more
than bare, unsupported statement
his vote would have been far
larger.
And had all independent voters
required such proof, Stassen would
have been showed under.
Petersen and Benson had little or
no organization behind them, they
had no political machine and their
campaign funds were modest. They
were opposed by a powerful machine
and by a huge campaign fund. Not
in money, perhaps, but in something
just as good-a tremendous amount
of favorable publicity, furnished
largely by three groups of news
papers which are always hand in