The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1944-03-21
Status Of Campaign
These Days S S's gso 3+i e. soH02sxy

During the past month hardly
shift has been noted in the for
tunes OF the Republican candidates
for the presidency Their order
remains the same Dewey. Millkie.
Rricker. Stassen. Macarthur. Gov
ernor Warren of California is the
most desired vice president all
candidates hoping that he will be
willing
Wendell Nillkie and John Brick
er have been travelling. Except
that Bricker won Texas. the tours
have thus far been without notable
result. Wilkes trip brought him
no new strength in the West;
Brokers trip brought him no gains
in New England Travelling how.
ever. is Of great advantage to
John Bricker. for whereas eVerybo-
dy knows Willkie and either likes
or dislikes him fanatically, what
ever new friends Bricker makes
are additions Bricker is so
straightforward and down to earth
that many who are wearying Of
glamour find him a pleasant relief
from the prevailing type of politi-
clan.
Tom Dewey, the leader in the
quest. docs not travel SO newspa-
permen and magazine writer's. po-
liticians, business men. labor lead
ers. and anyone else interested in
discussing present or future mat
ters with the presently most prob
able Republican candidate have TO
go TO him. They meet him on his
home grounds where he can dis
play himself at work II is a mast
erly technique. brilliantly conceiV-
ed and its success is attested by
the surprisingly generous eXposi-
ton OF his talents in the press and
magazines.
Dewey does queer things for
favorite candidate. His speech at
the Lincoln dinner OF the Ma
tionsl Republican Club was one
Of his best But it was not on
the air. At a time when every
hopeful is torturing the networks
for time. Dewey cancelled a half
hour of radio time already provid-
ed. Dewe. apparently will not
compromise with the appearance
OF not seeking the nomination
which may be wonderful way
to get it.
The Republicans anticipate
victory. BY Republicans, in this
article, mean the professional
politicians who devote themselves
10 getting out the vote. They
have lost all fear OF Roosevelt;
some even argue that in the circum-
stances he will not run Up to
1912. these same professionals
we're in the depths OF political de-
preston. wailing that their party
would never have another chance
nationally. Their current optimism
is due. OF course, to state and con-
gressional elections in whirch their
party has been so successful. hut in
none OF which Roosevelt was pers-
onally a candidate
The current popularity OF the F.
President cannot be measured with /.
any, assurance. Certainly. he is I.
not the figure that he was in 1886 /.
when he flipped his opponents |
aside with his little finger. Nor |
is he the gay figure whom his |
own party followed blindly. NGe,
the war. disappointments, work 7
have added years to his manner T.
and affability. His own party IS .
weary of him and the men about .
him are no longer young They |
are settling down to stodgy perm /
anence. The best example OF that .
was the debate between Harold .
Ickes and Senator F.. II. Moore of .
Oklahoma on America 3 Town .
Meeting OF the air last Thursday.
A Republican OF importance was .
listening to that debate with ms .
in my study, as George Denny an "
nounced the speakers and subject .
my friend said: "Ickes will slaugh-
ter our man" Ickes opened with
a good. set speech but bit too
serious for his reputation as a hard
singer OF the sharpened word.
Then Moore went for him and
knocked him cold You could .
hear Ickes 20 down spiritually over
the radio. Moore took him every
time he opened his mouth. and
observers in the audience told me !
that Ickes showed surprise, cha