Evening star., 1947-10-07
The Political Mill
Can't Win If Nominated
Opinion Hit by Taft Camp
Aides Point to Senator's Victories
When Defeats Were Forecast
~ GauId Lincoln


"He can't win if nominated" is , in the opinion
of Senator Robert A. Taft's Ohio supporters.
not only propaganda spread by Taft's oppo-
nents for his Republican presidential nomina-
ton next year but has no basis in fact.
"He always has won," one Of his principal
advisers commented. And he has won when
many people said he was sure to be defeated.
That happened in the primary for the senat-
orial nomination in 1885, when he was pitted
against Arthur Day, regarded as unbeatable
in Ohio. 1t happened again in the general
election that year. He was running against
Democratic Senator Bulkley who was aided
by some $4,000 Federal employees in Ohio, and
by couple of speeches by President Franklin
D. Roosevelt himself. In 1914 Senator Taft
was reelected, Notwithstanding all efforts OF
the CIO-PAC, which poured money into the
State to defeat him. Senator Taft carried the
State by $4,000 votes Gov. Dewey, the presi-
Dental nominee, by II, 500 votes. and the Re-
publican candidate for Governor was defeated
by his Democratic opponent. Why can't lie
Win?"
Must Overcome Hurdle.
Yet this is Senator Taft's chief handicap
the widespread opinion that he could not de-
feat President Truman next year. 1t Is the
hurdle that Mr. Taft must overcome If he is
10 stand real chance for the presidential NOM
ination. Mr.. Taft himself, is well aware of this.
His friends have frankly discussed ton his
Western trip now completed-and by mail from
other parts of the country.
His friends have no doubt Mr. Taft will
announce his intention to make the race for
the nomination October "a, to the Ohio Re
publican Central Committee. The question in
Mr.. Taft's own mind. however, is how extern
sive campaign for the nomination he should
undertake; whether he should allow his sup
porters to raise large funds-always necessary
in Nationwide campaign for a presidential
nomination. He could, Of course, run merely as
a "favorite son" candidate of Ohio. That would
necessitate little outlay He can win the Ohio
primary hands down. But If he is to seek dele
gates in many other States, the Taft organiza-
ton will require lot of money. Campaigning
these days Is not cheap. This is particularly
true should Mr. Taft decide to 60 into some Of
the presidential preferential primaries in the
States which hold them-like Oregon, Wis
consin, Pennsylvania and Illinois. In 1910,
when Mr.. Taft was seeking the presidential
nomination, he did not enter any primaries
except that OF Ohio. If he should 60 into some
of these primaries and make a good showing,
he would have done a great deal to overcome
this "he can't win" objection which has been
raised to his nomination.
Declared Logical Man.
His supporters argue that Senator Taft, after
all, is the logical man to make the race against
President Truman; that he is more responsible
for the record Of the Republican Congress than
any other candidate-a record on which the
partys choice must make the campaign of 1948.
IF that is to be the ISSUE" his friends ask,
then why send some one else to do the job?
Taft was able to sell this Republican legislation
not only to his Republican colleagues in Con-
gress, but he was also able to sell 1t to large
number Of Democrats. He should be able to
dispel the fog about his ability to win."
Senator Taft will confer on October II or
Is with Representative Clarence Brown of
Ohio, who is expected to run his campaign
Mr.. Brown is in Canada on a newsprint in
quiry for the House. 1t Is known that Mr.
Brown has been greatly encouraged over the
Taft situation by letters he has received from
Republican leaders in many parts of the
country. 1t is said that these letters have
revealed not only increased support for Mr.
Taft, but also diminution of strength of Gov.
Dewey Of New York, the 1914 standard bearer.
They also reflect interest In possible candidacy
OF Gen. Eisenhower-but many say they do not
know Gen. Esenhowers political leanings
Democratic or Republican, and that they also
know nothing about the generals attitude on
important domestic and foreign issues.