Evening star., 1951-01-27
The Political Min
The Political Min
Republicans Scan Field
Of Potential Candidates
Eisenhower and Taft Questions
Uppermost in 6. O.P. Minds
By Gould Lincoln

Uy SOutu LWSOIH
Republicans here for the first meeting
Of the party's national committee since
the 1850 elections have already begun
to look over the field Of potential candi-
dates for a presidential nomination next
year.
Two questions uppermost in their
minds were: Cd Will Gen. Dwight D.
Eisenhower, new supreme commander Of
the projected North Atlantic pact ma
tons forces, be available, and CD how
strong is Senator Taft of Ohio as
prospective presidential nominee?
This does not mean, however. that dis
cussion of candidates is limited to Messrs.
Eisenhower and Taft. Already an in
cipient boom for Everett NJ Dirksen,
freshman Senator from Illinois, but a
veteran Of the House of Representatives,
Is under way. Senator Dirksen took the
measure of former Democratic leader
Scott Lucas in the November elections
in State where the Democrats still have
all the better Of party registration fig
ures. Senator Dirksen won by around
275.000 votes. which is sizable margin
in any mans language. Also Senator
Duff OF Pennsylvania, another freshman,
former Governor of the Keystone State,
Is in the gossip. Senator Duff is hard
hitting campaigner who looks like the
late Teddy Roosevelt. He has draped
around him mantle labeled progress
sivism. There is talk of Gov. Earl War
rem Of California, too. Gov. Warren de-
feated Jimmy" Roosevelt son of the
late F. D. R.. by huge vote, for third
term as chief executive of California.
Too Much Nom Partisan.
Republican minds, is that he is too little
Republican and too much a non
partisan. These critics, however, are
mostly found in the "Old Guard" groups
of the G. o. P. Gov. Warren was per-
suaded to run as vice presidential candi-
date with Gov. Dewey of New York in
1948, on the theory he would carry Cali
fornia for the Republicans. He failed,
but only by about 17oOO If he were a
nominee for President, his friends figure
he would sweep the State in 1882
The consensus appeared to be that
Gen. Eisenhower would be available
barring war. Of course. if the United
States should be involved in a shooting
war when June. 1852, rolls around, it is
figured that Gen. Eisenhower would be
vitally needed in the military field and
would not be available. On the other
hand. If there is no war, it is expected
that Gen. Eisenhower will have wide
support. provided he will agree to run.
This belief is found among delegates
from coast to coast
Senator Taft's strength, however, has
increased greatly throughout the coun-
try since his overwhelming reelection
last November. Members of the national
committee favoring the Ohio Senator in
sist that his victory has answered the old
questlon-"can he win if nominated"
Further, many contributions to Mr.. Tafts
campaign for reelection were sent by
citizens of many States, many of them
just dollar of two, and one national
committeeman from the West insisted
that the contributors now feel a real per-
sonal interest in seeing Mr. Taft NOM
mated and elected President.
Sentiment for Stassen.
Here and there among the committee
members sentiment for the nomination
of Harold E. Stassen, former Governor of
minnesota and now president of the Uni
Versity OF Pennsylvania, cropped up. For
the denomination of Gov. Dewey of New
York, however. there appeared to be no
sentiment at all, despite Gov. Dewey's re-
election last November by more than
half million votes over his Democratic
opponent. The committee members still
1eeI the tremendous disappointment
which President Truman's victory over
Gov. Dewey brought them in 1948. Also.
some OF them recall with considerable re-
sentiment the fact that in the Dewey
campaign the national committee was
practically ignored and Dewey team
took over. If Gov. Dewey had to RELY
upon the national committee for future
presidential nomination - certainly in
1952-he would never get to first base.
The Republicans have their second
wind, with the 1948 debacle somewhat
obscured by their successes in 1850, and
speak both hopefully and confidently of
winning the presidential race next year.
Indeed. they insist that if the election
were held tomorrow, they would sweep
the country. because, they say, the people
have lost confidence in the Democratic
administration and because of the high
taxes now burdening them