Minneapolis spokesman. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1946-07-19

Political
Roundup

Governor Thye's resounding VIC
tory over Senator Shipstead in the
Republican Senatorial primary re-
established Harold Stassen as a
prime contender for the COP Pres
idential nomination in 1913. There
is still two years to go, and an in
finite number Of things can happen
to change the present trend, but as
1t appears now Stassen il moving
headlonR into the favored position
for the nomination in the 40 con-
vention.
On every hand one hears that
Stassen will never get the nOmina-
ton because Of opposition to him
on the part Of powerful Republican
leaders and party hackers who are
presumed TO control policy and
nominations. They repeatedly re-
gard Stassen as too liberal and as
untrustwOrthy in terms Of political
commitments. Gazing into the
crystal ball, one sees these points
Of opposition fading away. IL is
already clear that StAssen, as a
liberal Republican, is an acceptable
candidate to conservative business
interests, as witness his favorable
nationwide press treatment. As
regards the politicians opposition,
they will want to nominate the man
most likely to be elected. BY 1913,
Stassen may appear TO be their
best bet.
In the event Stassen is nominat-
ed, these reports of opposition to
him by so-called party bosses"
should constitute a strong psyche
logical factor in his favor for the
election. He will appear TO have
triumphed over machine control,
and that is a victory which endears
any Office-seekeT to the American
public.
Now that the primary is over,
the main interest in Minnesota
elections is shifting from the SEN
atorial race to several COngression-
al contests. In at least four dis
tricts-the Third. Fourth, Fifth and
Eighth-the campaigns will be par
ticularly vigorous and there Is
strong likelihood that one or more
Of the incumbent Congressman may
be defeated. In the Third District,
William J. Gallagher, whose victory
as a DFL in 1914 surprised the
state and who has since faithfully
supported the Truman administra-
ton, will be opposed by George
MacKinnon, war veteran and
formerly leading member Of the
State House of Representatives.
Gallagher will have united support
from organized labor, and Mac
Kinnon will have the full support
Of the Stassen forces who will be
out to demonstrate their strength
in this strongly DFL district.
Frank T. Starkey may face a
tough fight for reelection in the
Fourth. His Republican opponent Is
Edward Dewitt, 81. Paul attorney
and also a war veteran, who won
easily in a field Of FIVE primary
candidates. In the Fifth, Walter
Judd's reelection will be contested
by Douglas Hall. state counsel for
the CIO, VINO put on an especially
vigorous campaign during the pri-
mary. DFL prospects for n new
seat are best in the Eighth. where
State Senator John A. Blatnik,
another war veteran. will fight II
out with Congressman William
PittingeT.
Sponsors Of the Minnesota Poll
are breathing easier now that the
primary is over. They were on the
receiving end OF many a brickbat
for predicting that Thye would win
over Shipstead with 60 Der cent Of
the vote. The Poll came within a
percentage point or two of the
actual result. Had il been wide Of
the mark, il would have seriously
damaged the reputation Of The
Minneapolis Star-Journal. its spOn-
scr.