Evening star., 1949-11-17
The Political Mill
james Roosevelt Settino
Siqhts on 81 Nomination
Faces First Hurdle Next Year in Race
For California Governorship
Bv Gould Lincoln,


James Roosevelt, oldest son OF the late
President Franklin D., is setting his sights
for q shot at the Democratic presidential
nomination Of 1852, in the opinion Of polit-
ically minded Washington. D. c. His first
hurdle comes next year when Mr.. Roosevelt
will run for Governor Of his adopted State,
California. His present announcement,
made formally and over two radio stations.
that he will seek the gubernatorial nomina-
ton. is made early and after a canvass Of
sentiment in the State. The consensus is
that no other Democrat in the State can
defeat him In the primary. Further, it is
unlikely that Gov. Earl Warren could repeat
his spectacular triumph of 1916 and win
both the Democratic and Republican NOM
nations for Governor. particularly II MIR.
Roosevelt Is in the field.
A presidential nomination for Mr.. Roose-
velt could scarcely be hailed with pleasure
by President Truman. For one reason,
James Roosevelt was leader in the Demo-
cratic drive of l948 to nominate Gen. Dwight
D. Eisenhower for President and eliminate
Mr.. Truman, then in the White House by
reason Of the oeatn of President Roosevelt.
Had not Gen. Else enhower fatty declined, the
drive might easily have succeeded. Further,
II Mr.. Roosevelt were nominated and elected
President, Mr.. Truman would go down in
history as br!Gge from Roosevelt to Roose-
welt. Should Nj. Roosevelt be elected Gov
ernor of California, however, he may find
that Mr.. Truman hin1sclf is seeking second
nomination and virtually third term.
That would pose new problem for Mr..
Roosevelt.
No Novice in Politics.
James Roosevelt is no novice in the DO
lltlcal game. He has, too, been building
steadily in the direction of his present
gubernatorial announcement He was an
effective campaigner for his father, and in
1916 he was California State chairman of
the Democratic Party. This was an unfor-
tunate year for Democrats. Gov. Warren,
Republican, won the Democratic nomina-
ton Tor Governor as we'll as that of his
own party. defeating Democratic Attorney
General Bob Kenny in the primary. Not
only was Gov. Warren oyerW.lclmingly re-
elected, but Senator KnoWland, Republican,
defeated Mr.. Roosevelts Democratic candi-
date Will Rogers, jr.
Mr. Roosevelt was able however, to keep
his control beating off efforts of Bob Kenny
ana others to put Henry Wallace in the
running Tor California's delegation to the
lS48 Democratic National Convention. He
was elected as Truman delegate. but
before the convention Mr.. Roosevelt jumped
into the forefront of the Eisenhower boom.
He succeeded, after Gen. Eisenhower re-
fused to run, in getting back on the Truman
bandwagon and winning election as ma
tional committeeman for California. He
campaigned vigorously for a Truman elec-
ton. The State finally turned In lead of
1900 votes for Truman and Barkley over
Dewey and Warren.
Enemies In Party Weak
In all his various maneuvering Mr.. Roose-
velt has acquired number of enemies
among the California Democratic leaders.
There are not enough, nor are they strong
enough personally. to go up against the
Roosevelt name at the polls. There has
been talk, 1t is true, Of E. George Luckey,
wealthy rancher and friend of President
Truman. as candidate for the gubernatorial
demonstrated ability as a campaigner and
has swallowed the Truman welfare state
program, hook, line and sinker.
II Mr.. Roosevelt is able to win the gover-
norship. he will leap Immediately into the
front line Of potential Democratic nominees
for the presidency-among the others will
be Gov. Stevenson Of Illinois, Gov. Chester
Bowles Of Connecticut (if he Is reelected
next year,, Senator Humphrey of Minne-
sofa and Associate Justice Douglas Of the
Supreme Court. There is, too, his younger
brother, Franklin D. Roosevelt jr Repre-
sentative from New York. Jimmy" how
ever, is AZ years old and his brother 35. The
latter might, it is true, be drafted for
gubernatorial or senatorial nomination in
New York next year, and if he won, would
be in the spotlight too. Friends of Franklin,
| jr.. say. however, that the plan is to bring
him along more slowly-electing him per-
haps Lieutenant Governor as his next step
up. It would be difficult to think Of the
brothers as strongly opposing each other
| for the presidential nomination in 1852.
Questions and Answers