Evening star., 1948-07-01
Stassen Too Inspiring.
Figure 10 Drop Out Of
Political Picture
Choirmonship Of 6. O. P.
National Committee
Could Be q Real Job
Bv David Laurence

What is the future OF Harold
Stassen In national politics?
The almost fanatical support
which the former Minnesota Gov
ernor got from the youth of the
country argues that he cannot
be crossed off as a political figure.
The fact that he Is only Al years
old argues that. even if Gov. Dewey
Is elected and serves eight years.
Stassen banner can still be raised
over the White House by a Presi-
dent-elect 40 years OF age.
1t Is natural that any one who
has a chance of some day being
President will command financial
and political support in the interim.
But a man cannot continue to be
just a seeker of the presidency Tor
eight years. He has to demonstrate
by some form of public service that
he is abreast of the times in public
affairs.
There has been talk Of a cabinet
place for Mr.. Stassen. II the former
Minnesota Governor were a team
PLAYER" as the Dewey folks use the
nhrase, he might work his way. up
through the national administration,
hut the Dewey people are not likely
to welcome Mr.. Stassen into tne
cabinet They fear he would 60 on
on his own and be running Tor
president from the cabinet table
and this isn't the meaning that the
Dewey advisers give to the phrase
team play"
There remains the Senate, where
Mr., Stassen could have had seat
in the last few years if he had
chosen. Both the present lncum-
hents are Republicans and his
friends. Unless a vacancy develops
In one or the other Of these two
seats. Mr.. Stassen will not be able
tn keen himself in the limellght
there. He could go to the House OF
Representative for Wnlle ana
later the Senate. 1t would be
convenient place from which to ex-
pound views to the country.
Then there is the governorship OF
Minnesota, in which Mr.. Stassen
has already done constructive Jon:
But 1t doesn't lend itself to national
publicity as does seat IN Congress-
The real job for Mr.. Stassen
would be the craftsmanship OF the
Republican National Committee al
ter the close of the present cam
naien. It is post that has TOO
long been neglected. 1t has been
filled by men of colorless position
in the national scene. Yet slim
ulating the youth OF the land and
organizing public forums for the
discussion of political problems is
exactly what is needed and exactiy
what Mr.. Stassen has done and can
continue to do effectively.
Must Prove Trust.
Mr.. Stassen could not be chosen
for such a post unless he had the
absolute trust and commence OF
Gov. Dewey, for the latter WILL
dominate the Republican National
Committee for the next four years
at least. The best way to achieve
that trust and confidence is for
Mr. Stassen to get into the coming
campaign with zest and enthusiasm
and unremitting energy. IT ne does
an effective job in the campaign,
he will establish himself Sol1dly
with Gov. Dewey and with the regu-
lars in the party. He will also put
himself in line for the 1852 nomlna-
ton if by chance Gov. Dewey doesn t
win the 1948 election.
Mr.. Stassen's mistakes in the pre-
convention campaign were due 10
his inexperience and immaturlty IN
politics. These are surmountaole
weaknesses. He needs seasoning IN
national politics.
Mr.. Stassen may some day win
the presidency. He Is admired by
manv a Republican high in the
councils of the party who dlon I
like to be quoted on the matter IN
the recent contest. He might have
been the vice presidential nominee
with Gov. Dewey If he had played
his cards differently-but the vice
presidency has never been step
pingstone to the presidency by the
laws of politics 1t has led to the
higher place only by the laws OF
chance.
Mr.. Stassen is much too inspiring
q figure to drop out of the national
political picture. The chances are
he will find an effective way to
stav in 1t and gather to his side
the younger Republicans OF the
Nation, especially the World War
II veterans who are not likely to
be content with a 1920 or 1882 or
even 1946 Republicanism.
LRenroductinn RiRhts ReserYedl.