Evening star., 1947-10-16
COP. Campaign to Stress
Personal Qualifications
The Political Mil

Personal Qualifications
Stassen and Taft Seek to Smoke Out
Both Dewey and Eisenhower
By Gould Lincoln
Former Gov. Harold E. Stassen of Minnesota
takes the position that the Republicans should
select presidential candidate next year on
the basis of the program" presented by the
candidate. In other words, they should not
buy pig in a poke"
Ihis raises an interesting and also a perth
nent question: Do the Republicans care where
man stands on the vital domestic and
international issues of the day--or do they
just want man who can win? Also-an-
otner questlon-is the candidate to stand on
MS own personal platform or program, or on
the platform or program of the Republican
Party written in convention?
1he TWO men most frequently mentioned
as the probable presidential nominee of the
Republican Party in 194a are Gov. Thomas
+. dewey OF New York and Gen. DWIGHT D.
Eisenhower: Gov. Dewey because of his poten
tlal delegate strength and Gen. Eisenhower
because he Is a glamorous figure with an
imposing war record. Neither has presented
program or personal platform Gov. Dewey
mas not yet announced himself a candidate
Gen. Eisenhower has denied he is candidate.
out Is regarded receptive" However of
the TWO, Gov. Dewey's views on public oues-
ions are much more available. He has twice
oeen elected Governor of New York-with a
very definite program each time-and he cam
paigned In 1914 for President Gen. Eisen-
mower has been an Army man all his life
and has kept out of politics.
Not Shooting at Taft.
presumably Mr.. Stassen was referring to a
personal program or platform when he said
that no man should be selected by the Republi-
can National Convention who failed to present
mis- program. Inferentially he was shooting at
both Gov Dewey and Gen. Eisenhower when
he made his statement (at press conference
here). Certainly he was not hitting at Senator
TAFT OF Ohio, who on his recent swing through
the Tar West not only gave his own personal
program but also program for the Republican
Party in great detail. AS for himself Mr..
Stassen has been discussing public questions
ever since he announced himself a candidate
Tor the presidential nomination many months
ago. Any he may have overlooked he will
doubtless discuss on his coming tour into the
Middle West, West and South. Also, he Is
publishing book on November II entitled
Where Stand"
HOW many men who have been nominated
Tor PRESIDENT In the recent past have had
personal platforms in advance of their nomna-
ton? And how many have stuck to those plat
forms after they were elected President? Take
the case of Franklin Delano Roosevelt. In
1882 he was Governor of New York-the white
hope Of the Democrats who feared to renomi-
nate Alfred E. Smith. Mr.. Roosevelt. before
he was nominated, had little to say beyond
the general democratic exooriation of Herbert
Hoover and hard times. 1t was in his accept
ance speech that Mr.. Roosevelt declared him.
sell Tor new DEAL" And even in that
declaration he did not reveal the extent of
the deal he was to give the country. AnAafter
he entered the White House he tossed into the
discard many of the platform pledges con-
ealned IN the Democratic national platform
on which he ran. Al Smith, when he was
nominated for President by the Democrats in
1928, was q recognized opponent of national
prohloltlon-but he never had chance to try
to put that program through. OF the last three
Republican Presidents, Hoover Coolidge and
Harding, none of them had any particular
personal platforms or programs in advance of
their nominations
Attempts Squeeze Play.
The attempted squeeze play today-in which
Mr.. Stassen and Senator Taft both have part
Is to smoke out Messrs. Dewey and Eisenhower
Ihey wish to prevent Gov. Dewey from con-
tinuing silence on important issues while
waiting for the delegates and the nomination
to come his way. They point to a vulnerable
chink in the Eisenhower armor-no one knows
his views on such questions as labor manage
ment> relations, taxes Government spending,
the tariff public welfare legislation, or, indeed,
foreign policy. Other Republicans who have
been frequently mentioned for the presidential
nomination are Gov. Warren Of California and
Senator Vandenberg of Michigan. Gov
Warren has no personal program-as a candi-
date for President, which he insists he Is not
Senator Vandenberg, on the other hand, while
not laying down personal program, has
certainly discussed In the Senate and out
many of the issues Of the day-and every one
knows where he stands on foreign policy.
Beyond doubt, Gov. Dewey may be expected
to speak out on many issues If and when he
becomes an announced candidate. This nee
ding on the part Of Mr.. Stassen and Senator
Taft may force his hand. AS for Gen. Eisen-
hover, 1t Is difficult to see how he can discuss
issues while he remains in the Army Latest
reports are that he may have to forgo retire
ment from the Army and entry on his presi-
dency Of Columbia University until March,
After that he may have time to unfold his Ideas
in speeches or in magazine articles, before the
June 70 Republican National Convention.
1t is perfectly evident, however, that irre-
spective of personal programs, the Republicans
are going to lay great stress on personal quail
frcations for victory in the coming presidential
campaign.
Questions and Answers
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BY THE HASKIN SERVICE.