The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1947-07-07

maries of 1948 are. still long
way off, those busy little bees
that make a business of buzzing
in political bonnets are begin
ming To swarm and folks who like
guessing games are chewing their
pencils and working out dope
sheets.
The spotlight. of course, is on
the Governors race. Attorney
General Tom Watson didn't fool
around waiting to see who would
or wouldn't run but, confident of
his own position, marched out on
the political springboard and
Owed in head first. Fuller War
rem has never stopped running.
He missed the second primary in
1910 by hair or was it a
Whitehair- Anyhow, lot Of folks
contend that had he made it he
would have defeated Holland.
Both Watson and Warren are
able campaigners. They will set
the. pace and make the welkin
ring so long and loud that other
contenders will have a difficult
time making themselves heard.
Both men have a large and loyal
following. Labor, or that portion
of it which is controlled by union
leaders, can be depended upon to
oppose Watson bitterly. But they
polled their full strength against
him last time to no avail and the
fiery Watson figures he can dis
count this opposition and still
win. Warren'S greatest handicap
is the fact that folks are not in
clined to take him seriously. They
like to hear him talk but they are
inclined to view him as a comedi->
an and a Snowman to be cheered
and applauded but not voted for.
In spite of this handicap, how
ever, Warren has strong and
loyal following that will back
him all the way.
1t is safe bet that Watson and
Warren viii not be the only con-
tenders. Others you hear men
toned with ever increasing fire.
quency are Dan McCarty of Fort
Pierce, former Speaker of the
House. His record is good. He is
veteran and commands the res
pect of solid-thinking citizens. He
would undoubtedly have the full
blessing of the Coldwell Admin
istration which would probably
prove a handicap rather than an
advantage.
Down Miami way they are
talking about George Smathers,
political white hope of Florida's
Gold Coast. They point to his
winning personality, his ability
as a campaigner and contend that
if South Florida were to get be-
hind him solidly he would win in
a walk. But unfortunately south
Florida, or any other section for
that matter. can seldom be count
ed to go solidly for any candi-
date. Had they done so for Err
nest Graham he might be Gov
ernor today. Some folks would
rather have revenge than a gov
ernor and vote that way.
Former House Speaker Richard
H. Simpson of Monticello is being
strongly urged to run. If he does,
McCarty won't. They are close
friends and this is understood. 1t
looks at this writing, that Simp-
son will hold off and possibly run
for Commissioner of Agriculture
should Nathan Mayo for any
reason choose not to run. Simp-
son is eminently qualified for the
post of agricultural commissioner.
He is a successful nurseryman
and long years in the legislature
give him thorough knowledge
of state affairs.
Two State Senators with long
and able records of legislative
service would like to enter the
race. One, Senator Walter w.
Rose of Orlando. former presi-
dent of the Senate. He is able
and aggressive. Some contend
that he is too aloof, that he can't
get down to the common man,
but observers who have watched
Rose for the past few years don't
agree. The Senator is lot bet
ter mixer than he used to be and