Evening star., 1944-07-12
Shift in Strategy Seen
With Roosevelt Move
Genuine Fourth. r erm Draft
by Democrats IL Shown

Genuine Fourth. I erm Draft
by Democrats Is Shown
BY DSvid Laurence,
Although there has never been much
doubt IN ofncial Warrington but that
President Roosevelt would be nominated
for the fourth term and that he would
accept, the announcement, nevertheless,
IL definitely . change in strategy.
Instead Of . draft artificially engi-
neered ut the national convention as was
the case in 1910, this time there is
genuine draft. The chairman of the
Democratic National Committee form
ally states that the majority of the del
egates have already pledged themselves
TO the Prestdent's denomination and
takes 4 logical course in asking the
President II he will accept the nomina-
ton.
Now, In advance Of the national con-
vention, the delegates know that tho
standard bearer will accept and they
can 60 ahead therefore and shape the
platform and select the vice presidential
nominee with the full knowledge that
all doubts concerning the top OF the
ticket have been resolved
1t is curious thing, but for many
months there has been an undercurrent
Of rumors to the effect that the Presi-
dent at the final moment would not ac-
cept. or that for reasons of health he
would decline to run.
Seen Answer to Objection.
Mr.. Roosevelts statement of his will
ingness to run \ fourth time is designed.
OF course, to answer the chief objection
that will be raised against a fourth term.
namely, that 1t Is unprecedented and
that It is the expression of a personal
ambition. He argues that he would
prefer not to run but that the American
people must decide in time OF war
whether he a. Commander in Chief
shall or shall not remain in ofiice.
Back in February, 1918. there was a
proposal In Congress for a six-year-
term amendment to the Constitution
and President-elect Woodrow Wilson
was asked his opinion. He said that he
did not think there was any need for
limitation on the tenure of a President.
He said he did not favor it because he
felt 1t would be too rigid, but at the
same time he pointed out that the most
important fact in connection with presi-
Dental denominations was the means
by which such nominations were Sc
cured. He rested his whole case on the
illicit means" that President might
use in obtaining denomination.
Because OF the circumspect wav Mr..
Roosevelt has managed his political af-
fairs. 1t cannot be persuasively argued
that he has either drafted himself or
used his ONCE to secure renomina ton.
Rather. the rank and file OF the Demo-
cratic party have looked upon him AZ
the real vote-getter and have insisted
on his running again because of a be-
lief he would carry the congressional |
and local tickets to success at the polls.
| No serious opposition to his renomina-
ton has appeared.
| So the question to be posed before
the American people is whether they
want to grant = fourth term to Mr..
Roosevelt on account of the war situa
tion. The Republican nominee will be
confronted with that argument and will
have to find q way to meet it. 1t NAV
be that before the campaign is verv far
under way Gov. Dewey will find 1t de-
sirable to announce that until the war
| Is over he will, II elected, retain the
| present Secretaries Of State, War and
| Navy.
None Could Refuse u Serve.
| None OF these could refuse to serve
| IN time OF war. Thus the Republican
nominee might offset the arguments OF
inexperience or unfamiliarity Of the
problems of ofiice by stating that he
would retain Messrs. Hull, Forrestal and
Stimson and, OF course, Gen. Marshall
| Gen. Arnold and Admiral King.
The argument of continuity in ONCE
however, as made by the Democrats. is
not confined to the military side OF the
war. In his letter to the President
! Chairman Hannegan of the Democratic
National Committee says that President
Roosevelt must continue until the war
Is won and q firm basis for abiding
| peace among men is established"
This indicates that the Democrat IS
will argue that President Roosevelt
must stay in once not merely to win
the war, but to win the peace" This
suggests that the campaign will be
fought primarily on foreign policy
namely, what kind Of 4 peace will Mr.
Roosevelt or Mr.. Dewey stand for after
either Is elected.
The clearing of the air as to the top
OF the Democratic ticket leaves the
second place 4 sort of ee-for-all 1t
Is beginning to look now IS If Vice
President Wallace does not have SUM-
cient support among the party regulars
to win the nomination. Unless Pres.
dent Roosevelt saves Mr.. Wallace, SEN
ator Barkley of Kentucky, Senate ma
jority leader, will be the choice for sec
ond place on the ticket.
tReproduction Rishts Reserved)
lubor on Child AlIownnree