Evening star., 1944-05-19
Democrats Here Seen
Confident on Election
Writer Finds Party Optimism
Based on Short Memories
By David Lasgvssce- (

Based on Short Memories
By David Lawrence1~
. Although there Is very little discussion
of politics for publication nowadays
among officials here, there seems to be
no doubt that the Democrats have
great deal more confidence about win
ming the autumn elections than they
had a few months ago.
Perhaps the chief reason for their
optimism can be summed up in one
phrase-short memories. The Demo-
Gratis have theory that the American
people are so much absorbed in the war
situation, or win be soon, that they will
forget most of the mistakes of the last
few years and most of the so-called is
sues of domestic nature. -
To illustrate the point, just the other
day Democrat asked this correspond
ent whether he; believed most Of the
people remembered what the fuss was
about In connection with Senator Bark
ley few weeks back. Did the people
really recall what the issue was and
what the controversy was about? Pos
sibly this is q simple thing to put to test
If one asks his friends and acquaint-
5ances. The chances are that most peo-
pie have forgotten what happened in
that episode Yet, at the time 1t oc-
cupied prominent space in all the news
papers and was a sensation.
President Roosevelt, of course, had
nh s,. ~sx,J x,,t,
he promptly disposed Of the Montgonn-
cry Ward case. 1t is still recent and
will be remembered by a great many
people, but the question is whether by
the autumn 1t will be recalled.
The whole strategy of the Democrats
is to focus attention on the war situa-
tion-and If it appears that the war Is
about to come to an end, then to focus
on the peace negotiations. Certainly,
between now and the time for the Mo-
yember elections the Invasion will
have begun and the newspapers will be
filled with dispatches about the des-
perate struggle abroad. Under such
circumstances, how much attention Will
be paid to political controversies? VIII
the radio speeches on campaign subjects
be listened to?
This is campaign which win prob
ably settle once and for all the age-old
argument of whether presidential elec-
tions are actually won or lost during
the campaign or whether they are lost
or won as a consequence of the acts of
an incumbent President during the pre-
ceding three years of his terms Of Office.
Many observers have contended that
election campaigns do not change many
votes and that people are set In their
prejudices for candidate or q party
long before the campaigns are held. IT
this theory is correct, then the Repub-
icans will have an advantage because
there is no doubt that the administers
ton has been on the defensive for the
last two years and has encountered
considerable opposition because of its
method of administering the war pro-
gram on the home front. tnsr
n If. on the other hand, campaigns are
won by the speech-nlaking and the em-
phasis that is given to issues during the
campaign itself, then Gov. Dewey. will
be at a distinct disadvantage. For one
thing, the New, York Governor, has not
made many speeches and has maintained
an.attitude of aloofness toward tse NOM
ination itself SO that whatever oppor-
tunity the public may have had to get
acquainted with him or his views has
been largely forfeited because Of the
peculiar campaign developed In his
behalf. It is a serious question whether
the Republican nominee will. be able
to compete with. the headlines or the
news that will be coming from the
battlefront. In fact, II the Invasion"
happens during the time Of the Repub-
hcan convention, the news Of that con-
vention and its platform may be OBJ
scured entirely. .....t.
AS for the Democratic convention, It
Will not need much public attention.
President Roosevelt Is really in no need
OF publicity from Democratic national
convention. In fact, the very opposite
Will be true. Every effort win be made
70 make it appear that the action of the
convention Is merely the routine result
OF unanimous agreement of tie party
on the Presidents nomination.
1t would not be at all surprising, too.
If the President was out OF the country
during the time of the Democratic ma
tlonal convenient. If, for example, the
invasion is completed by that time and
our troops are landed on the coast of
France and have cleared a considerable
area, Mr.. Roosevelt may be over there on
one OF his customary inspection" trips
which he takes in campaign years.
In any event, the chances for pub
hcity during the campaign will favor
the President far more than they will
MS opponent, and it is much to be re-
gretted that GOV. Dewey by his silence
has been, in effect, losing opportunities
to acquaint the country with the basic
issues of the war and the peace.
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