The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1944-07-10
Observations
Mustache Viewed
as Handicap For
Gov. Dewey
BY Helen essary

Not that Gov. Thomas E. Dewey,
Gov. John w. Bricker nor even the
Republican National Committee IS
pining 10 hear a dash OF advice
from me. But there's no harm in
my calling attention 10 a few little
things about the Chicago conyen.
tion that linger sharply in my
thoughts.
First. I liked Governor Dewey
much better than / had expected
] had made up my mind that |
would not care for him az all-not
that my opinion matters to the
world one small bit-but did find
? him intelligent, sincere and cour.
ageous
Before / go further TO explain my
new attitude, want TO say quickly
that he would be a far more effeC-
tive candidate for the White House
II he would take himself to his IA
vorite barber and shave off his
mustache.
have heard dozens OF women
make the same criticism OF the gen.
I I
tache is the biggest handicap Tom
Dewey has II takes from the seri-
business and strength OF his face.
Moreover il will not help with the
woman vote. The governor has a
handsome head. a clearly chiseled
nose. a decisive mouth. But when
you look az him, unless you study
his face long and closely, you see
none Of these photogenic assets
You see only the mustache. You
remember only the mustache. With.
out il. Governor Dewey would look
a million per cent more real as the
proper man for the White House
Job he is after. Newsreels and posi-.
ers could do a handsome work with
the governor OF New York as
smoothshayen personality
had imagined that the governor
was really a small man. He is not
a giant but he is an inch taller
than Winston Churchill.
The Republican candidates equip
ment for the radio is excellent. He
has a warm, flexible speaking voice.
His golden.tongued opponent may
even have TO brush up on his speech
lessons IL he is 10 successfully com
pete on the air with the Chicago
nominee.
The Dewey diction also is per-
feet. Perhaps a shade too perfect
How ever, it is soothing TO the ear
. and does not shock the nervous
system in the manner OF several
vell-known candidates. His words
are easily understood. He pitches
his voice well and talks slowly. He
has a nice flair for picking the right
words
Dewey conducts himself we'll
when questioned. This talent no
doubt was first inherent and later
grew when he became district at
torney OF New York The penetrat.
ing questioning during the day'af-
denomination press conference
did not disturb the candidate.
Incidentally, tina sort Of questions
asked and the identity OF the ques-
TONERS proved the interest OF the
rest OF the world in the coming
. presidential election.
Journalists from Free France,
Canada, Honolulu. London, Sweden,
South America, China and Poland
wanted 10 know the Republican
nominees attitude on matters that
especially concerned their own
countries. Hearing the strange voic-
es and accents made me realize
that this United States OF ours be-
longs 10 the world. Or maybe the
world belongs to her.
o. Governor Bricker. the vice presi-
Dental nominee, will be useful,
very useful in the coming campaign
for the White House. He is big,
likeable fellow and will look good
on any speakers platform. And he
does not have mustache.
Governor Bricker has a charming
wife who will be an advantage to
the Republican cause. She should
20 everywhere her husband goes,
be about the place to rest the eyes
on
The Republican ticket is lucky in
the wives OF its candidates. Mrs.
, Dewey is a darling. She is her hus-
4 bands greatest asset. This Is not
Just a pretty phrase | am turning.
Mrs. Dewey is going to be more help
IN battling that fourth term bust
ness than miles OF high sounding
honest oratory.
She conducted herself with skill
and tact at her first Chicago press
conference. She was thinking and
acting in terms OF her husbands
career. She was not trying TO sell
herself as a brilliant, singing per-
sonality.
She was poised and thoughtful. !
suspect she had no opinions Of her
own that would have made the
, headlines. But she subordinates
! those as dangerous TO her hus-
bands campaign. Instead she made
her questioners think OF the Dewey
family-husband and .Xife-as good
teammates working0rogether for
the success that so far has come
quickly and may lead 10 the White
House. the highest goal in Ameri.
can public life.