Evening star., 1949-12-04

Trumon's Ambition Hu|ts
The Roosevelt Brothers
James and Franklin, Seen Blocked
by Presidents Wish to Run Again
By Frank X. Kent
Those who expect better things from the
next session of Congress than they got from
the session recently ended forget the former
will be only few months from an election
instead OF more than year. That as every
politician knows, makes lot of difference.
Among other things, it means the big pres
sure groups exert more influence; the profess
sional promisers become more lavish, the
demagogues more reckless, the legislative
bullies more brazen and the timid members
Of Congress more craven. These things be-
come more pronounced as election day ap-
proaches-and the coming session easily may
run to within 80 days of that date. It is not
only that in the coming session the con-
gressional election Immediately ahead will
strongly flavor the proceedings. but the pres
idential election, still two years away, never
will be absent from political minds.
For example, in administration circles at
this moment the conviction is strongly held
that Mr.. Truman Is a candidate to succeed
himself. No one in the White House inner
circle" has any doubt on that score. This, OF
course. is a change from the former Truman
attitude. Prior to the 1948 convention, Mr..
Truman's feeling seemed to be that he had
no desire to spend another four years in the
White House. What really caused him to
insist upon nomination was the vicious at
tack upon him by shining lights of the Amer
leans for Democratic Action, including the
two Roosevelts James and Franklin, jr., who
were out whooping for Eisenhower, Douglas
or practically any one except Truman.
Against such an attack, Mr.. Trumans self
respect compelled him to revolt.
Accordingly he made his assailants look
silly in the convention and he was elected
notwithstanding the odds and the prophets.
Right after election those close enough to
reflect his views asserted he felt his victory
had vindicated him; that at the end of four
years he would have had enough; that in
1852 he would not want denomination. Ex-
actly when and why he changed his mind
is not certain, but change it he apparently
has. Intimate friends who then were so
sure he would retire are now emphatic in
asserting he will be renominated. OF course,
II he wants to be he can be. Certainly, there
is in sight no other aspirant Of real avail
ability It Is recognized now that Gen.
Eisenhower is Republican,; that he would
not take Democratic nomination; that he
never believed in the New Deal and does not
favor the welfare state; that the only
nomination that appeals to him is the
Republican nomination. The advocates OF
Justice W. o. Douglas will have no conven-
tion votes and there just is no one else in
sight unless you count young Franklin
Roosevelt.
Ae +o him there seems M nuestjon about
either his ambitions or his impatience at
delay in realizing them. Men who know
say he has definitely made up his mind to
70 after the New York gubernatorial nomi-
nation next year instead Of seeking another
term as a member of the House-though
publicly he must pretend that he will. Some
what swollen by his first victory and rather
bumptious individual congenitally, he is quite
convinced he can beat Gov. Dewey and is
represented as believing that once he has
done that there is no obstacle between him
and the White House. Nor does he like the
idea Of waiting until 1856 to get there. In
brief. young Roosevelt wants to run for
Governor before he finishes his first term
in the House and for President before he
has much more than begun his term as
Governor.
It is not likely to work out that way.
There are too many hurdles to take. With
no political asset except his fathers name.
it would seem to make him young man
far too much in hurry. While it Is true
his career in the House must be measured
by months, nevertheless he has demon
strated neither a capacity for, nor desire
to, work. Beyond doubt he Is good. glib
campaigner. He has all the New Deal and
welfare state patter at the tip of his tongue.
He knows all the demagogic catch phrases
and special appeals He has considerable
personal sttractiveness, but is said to be
essentially superficial and definitely light
weight without any strong convictions. 1t
is further said he has persuaded his orotner
James, the insurance man, now campaign
ing to land the California governorship, that
because he has "the name" he is entitled
to the first White House try.
It is an interesting situation these avid.
not to say greedy, Roosevelt brothers. who
more or less believe they have inherited
the country, have created If next year
Jimmie gains the California governorship
and Franklin the New York governorsh1p,
each will be on q springboard that, with
luck. might land him in the presidency.
But not In 1852, If MIR. Truman wants the
nomination And by 1856 chances are the
magic Of "the name" will have measurably
disappeared and any Roosevelt will have TO
advance on his own merits, which would
be unfortunate for him.
and-buggy age" when everything was
leisurely compared with now.
fN