Evening star., 1949-12-06
The Political Mill
Bricker Hits Sour Note
In New Party Proposal
G. o. P. Leader Says Ohio Senator
Has Adopted Defeatist Attitude
Bv Gould Lincoln

bv GOMd Lincoln
The Bricker proposal to form a new po-
itical party through coalition of the
Republicans and the Southern (Conserva-
tive) Democrats struck sour note in the
ears of most Republican leaders. One Of
the milder comments was that the Ohio
Senator had adopted defeatist attitude,
and one Of the rougher that he was scuttling
the Republican Party just on the eve of an
important campaign.
The great difaculty the Republicans are
having, however, is drawing clear-cut issue
with their opponents, the Truman Fair
Dealers. Incidentally, President Truman
himself would welcome such struggle. II
he runs in 1952-as more and more Demo-
Gratis are coming to believe he will-he would
prefer an opponent like Senator Taft OF Ohio.
instead of one of the so-called progressive
Republicans. Republicans who are willing to
60 along with much Of the Fair-Deal
program.
That being the case. it probably would
cause no great distress at the White House If
Mr. Taft were reelected, and so became
again a real possibility for the Republican
presidential nomination. A Taft, it may be
figured, too, would be more vulnerable as an
opponent in 1852 than an Eisenhower, or
even Stassen.
Taft Tour Completed.
N0I. 4d1t udS JubG COLuPlcIcu l1S tOu4 VI
Ohio which he started in September and
from all reports he has strengthened him.
SELF The Democrats. on the other hand,
have come to no conclusion regarding q
candidate to oppose Senator Taft Gov.
Lausche has fatty stated he will not run for
the Senate next year, and the lesser political
fry are not regarded as capable of offering
too serious opposition to Senator Taft.
If Mr.. Taft is reelected he will in all
probability become real contender for the
Republican presidential nomination two
years later If he were nominated by the
Republicans and a prominent Southerner
were named for Vice President the kind Of
coalition which Senator Bricker suggests
might be brought about without throwing
the old COP out of the window.
It Is said that Southerners will not vote
for a Republican presidential candidate.
But lot Of them did in 1928-for Herbert
Hoover-and a lot of them would have voted
for Gov. Dewey In 194s if there had not been
q States Rights Democratic ticket In the
field.
Benton Given Blessing.
The Truman Democrats have given their
blessing to the newly appointed Senator from
Connecticut William Benton, although Mr..
Benton has been rated as an independent -
again indicating their willingness to accept
into their ranks so-called Progressives, by
whatever name. William M. Boyle, jr.,5 chair
man of the Democratic National Committee,
Immediately put out a statement welcoming
Mr.. Benton back to Washington where he
formerly served as an Assistant Secretary Of
State.
Probably the same hand of welcome would
be- extended If Murray Lincoln, a registered
Republican who has been voting for Truman
and Roosevelt, were given the Democratic
nomination to run against Senator Taft next
year. In other words, the Fair Dealers are
doing their best to get into their corner any
one who calls himself liberal.
The Republicans, for their part. aren't
shedding any tears over the Benton appoint
ment. They believe he will be vulnerable il
he is the candidate for the seat he now eccu-
pies; that his selection by Gov. Bowles his
former business partner, is not pleasing to
lot Of the regular Democrats in Connecticut.
They think they can knock him of, with for
example, Representative Lodge, Republican.
Mr.. Bowles will be running again for Gov
ernor and Senator Mcmahon for reelection
to the Senate. Senator McMahon, some Of
the Republicans believe, will be the most
difficult to defeat. They would welcome his
appointment to take David Lilienthal's place.
as chairman Of the Atomic Energy Commits
sion If President Truman would give Senator
Mcmahon that job. Senator Mcmahon has
been tremendously interested in the atomic
energy problem. as chairman Of the Joint
Committee of the Senate and House on
Atomic Energy.