Evening star., 1949-11-29
The Political Mill
Dewey Still Is in lontro,
ORG. 0. P. in New York
Can Have Gubernatorial Nomination
Again Next Year If He Wants 1t
By Gould Lincoln

Gov. Thomas E. Dewey can have the
Republican nomination to succeed himself
If he wants 1t; no other Republican could
successfully challenge him. However, so
far the New York Governor has the Repub-
licans guessing about what he will do-and
some of them are guessing he will run when
the time comes. They are also guessing he
could be reelected, though by a much
smaller margin than in his two earlier VIC
tories. They base their belief that Mr. Dewey
will seek or accept another nomination on
his activity during the Dulles-Lehman sena-
torial campaign and since the election. In
other words, he acts like man who has by
no means forsaken political ambition.
Gov. Dewey certainly does not have to
solve this problem until next summer, for
the nomination for Governor Is not made
until September, in party convention. Chang
ing conditions, possible desire to get back
into the private practice OF law, all may
affect his decision Meanwhile he remains
chief executive of the Empire State and an
enigma to the politicians.
Third Nomination Doubted.
Even if he determines to remain actively
in politics and public life-and seeks re-
nomination-it will not be, 1t Is believed, with
an idea that he could be nominated for
President In 1852. The party in national
presidential nomination, after two defeats.
However, Gov. Dewey might become pow
erful factor in the selection of the Re-
publican national ticket. He would head the
largest State delegation in the convention.
WITH more than 80 votes, enough to be de-
cisive in a close contest between important
candidates both for the presidential and
vice presidential nomination.
When Mr. Dewey completes his present
term as Governor, he will have served eight
years in that office. Only an impelling de-
sire to remain in public life, it seems, could
persuade him to run for another four-year
term. This desire might be further strength
ened by a wish to close this phase of his
career with victory, removing the bitter
taste of the 1948 defeat. Further. should
1850 show definite Democratic and Fair Deal
trends the gubernatorial contest would pre-
sent challenge which Gov. Dewey,
fighter, would hasten to accept. Against
this he would have to weigh possible de-
feat still further lessening his prestige.
Democratic Standouts.
In reaching a decision whether to run,
Mr.. Dewey will take into consideration, too,
his firm determination to make and keep
New York a Republican State. He may
weigh, also, the vote getting strength of po-
tential Democratic nominees for Governor.
AS VI tOudS, Il1c L1cC ulC1 WllO StS1llo Ouk
as likely to be chosen are Representative
Franklin Delano Roosevelt. jr.; Mayor Will
liam ODwyer of New York and Democratic,
State Chairman Paul E. Fitzpatrick.
It has not been custom for New Yorkers
to send the Mayor of New York City to
Albany to sit in the Governors chair. so
Mayor ODwyer. who has just been reelected
and Is proposing to increase his salary from
$4,000 to $4,000 a year, may have to re-
main in his present Office. II he Is not
nominated for Governor, the race will be
then between Messrs. Fitzpatrick and Roose-
velt-unless Mr.. Roosevelt should wish to
delay his political advancement few years.
in which case he would decline to become
candidate. Mr.. Fitzpatrick is head Of the
Democratic State organization, powerful
position in contest in State convention.
Yet, the Roosevelt name and the allegiance
of the older New Dealers might stampede
any convention. - 4