The Waterbury Democrat., 1946-12-27
Stop-Dewey Campaign Wotched For
 Many Observers
 See Him in Front
 Currently

washington, Dec, T-(up)-sTht
 appearance of some kind of stop-
 Dewey movement seemed likely to-
 day to be an early development in
 the scramble for the lvaa Republi- can presidential nomination.
 Gov Thomas E. Dewey of New York Is regarded by many observers as the front runner right now in the nomination race. That is bee cause of his spectacular showing in last Novembers elections in state which casts more electoral votes than any other.
 All the countrys political magic is not assigned to New York state, But in the past eight presidential elections, New York has failed only once to have a presidential eandi- date on the ticket of one major party or the other.
 Dewey Given Edge
 Of the IS nominations for Presl- dent by the major parties in the past 90 years, Il were of men who were governors of their states or had held that office. Once only did a major party in the past 30 years go to the Senate for a candidate Harding in 1920 Herbert c. Hoover was plucked from the Cabinet to run for President; Davis from the practice of corporation law: and the late Wendell L. winkie from the chairmanship of a big public utility.
 Confronted with such a form sheet, horseplayer would give Dewey an edge in the pre-conven- tion books. Against him is the Re- publican tradition against renomin- ating a loser. There is the further fact to his unpopularfty with many of the old guard leaders. His advan- tage decreased somewhat during Christmas week with revelation that Sen. -elect Jonn W. Bricker of Ohio is willing to step aside in l94s in favor of Sen. Robert A. Taft, also of Ohio.
 With two Ohioans as prospective candidates for the presidential nom- ination the development of a sus- tained and aggressive--if unavowed campaign for either would have been very difficult.
 Taft evidently will not announce his candidacy until next Summer. Both he and Dewey carefully dodge the question when 1t is presented. Only former Gov. Harold E. Stassen of Minnesota has told the people frankly that he would like to have the White House job.
 Campaign Would Be Silent
 All Washington assumes that both Dewey and Taft, and probably Sen. Arthur H. Vandenberg (R.-Mich.) would be readily available for the nomination ana that Dewey and Taft actively will seek it. Therefore. Washington observes the actions of all concerned in the light of presi- dential politics.
 That is the reason a stop-Dewev movement of some kind is looked for. It would not be any publicly proclaimed undertaking. but it would be diScernible in evidence of cooperation among the other po- tential nominees. In fact, Bricker's willingness to step aside for Taft might properly be interpreted as a closing of the Mid-WeStern ranks against New York.
 Similarly, Dewey and his lieuten- ants will be watched carefully for any moves toward coalition with other elements of the party. There is the matter of the vice -presiden- tial nomination. A New York candi- date for President would want A Mid Westerner or far Westerner as his running mate.
 It is no reflection on Stassen to suggest that any other candidate probably would be glad to have him on the ticket in second place. Gov. Earl Warren of California is anoth- CT who has presidential prospects Of his own but who also might fig ure in Republican vice. presidential plans.