Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1950-08-12
The Political Mill
The Political Mill
Connecticut Election
Conditions Favor COP.
Republicans Could Pick Up
Big Prize in November
By Gould Lincoln

The Republicans have an opportunity
to pick UP a big prize in Connecticut
next November-if they don't muff the
ball. At stake in the election are the
Governors Office, two Senate seats and
six seats in the House of Representa-
ttves. At present the Republicans hold
only three House seats-the other offices
all are filled by Democrats.
While conditions seem to favor the
GOP-which has rarely lost an election
In an of year, a year when no presi-
dental election Is held-there is the
chance that overconf1dence and too soft
o campaign may bring defeat. just as
1t did in the 1948 general election.
Some of the Republican leaders here
are FESTIVE because Representative John
Lodge, Republican nominee for Gov
ernor is staying in Washington instead
Of campaigning actively about the State.
The argument that he is needed in the
National Capital because of the war
legislation coming up does not modify
the fact, in their opinion, that candi-
date for Governor must get out and
meet the people in all parts OF the
State and, in addition, make slaShing
attack on the incumbent Democrat, Gov.
Chester Bowles. Mr.. Lodge is a per-
sonable and attractive candidate, and
these Republicans don't want to see
him kick away real chance for victory.
Convention Held Early.
The Republicans held their State
nominating convention early this year
for the very purpose of getting a start
on the campaign. What is feared now
is that the advantage may have been
lost.
The Republican candidate for the Sem
ate, former Representative Joe" Talbot
and Prescott Bush, have been more &C
tive. particularly Mr.. Bush.
Mr.. Talbot is running against Senator
Mcmahon, and Mr.. Bush against Sen
ator Benton. Admittedly Senator Nc
Mahon is the tougher candidate to defeat.
He has friends among the Republicans
as well as large Democratic following
Mr.. Benton-called the carpetbag can
didate because he has only moved into
Connecticut from New York compara-
lively recently-waS a former partner
Of Gov. Bowles in the advertising bust
ness. a business In which both men
made lot of money. Mr.. Bush, too. IS
a wealthy businessman. He has been
actively campaigning among the fac
tory workers where he must win votes.
BowIes Under Criticism.
The Republicans figure, however, that
If they can win with the head of their
ticket, Mr.. Lodge, for Governor, the
other COP candidates will ride right
along. Gov. Bowles has been under a
lot of criticism because he promised,
when he was elected two years ago, to
keep prices down-he had been head OF
the OPA in Washington. Instead OF
going down, prices have gone up.
Also he spoke out strongly in favor,
of State income tax in those days-to
take the place of the sales tax now
imposed, but recently he got proposed
income tax taken out of the Democratic
platform, on the ground that the Fed
eral income taxes were about to be
boosted much higher to help pay for
the Korean war. This means a con-
tinuance of the sales tax. -i.
, In Connecticut, the Korean war is not
popular. There is plenty of growing
about Democratic administration which
got the country into mess. Also there;
is a feeling that the administration has
been dumb in its handling of the charges
Of Communism in Government brought
by Senator Mccarthy of Wisconsin,.
that the whole thing looks like white
wash. These are factors which should
help the COP. The Republicans, how
ever, are in no position to sit back on
their launches and let the days roll by.
They must get out and campaign.
They particularly need large slice OF,
the independent vote, which is usually
decisive in Connecticut political battles.
Perhaps, after Labor Day, things will,
be different. The Democrats are well
intrenched. and have been working for
victory in the 1850 election for months.
If the Republicans are to overtake them.
they must get busy.