Evening star., 1951-05-20
Trumon Seen Choosing
Not to Run Again
Writer Thinks President May
Nominate Eisenhower
By Fronk R. Kent

By Fronk R. Kent
Concerning the Democratic presiden-
tial nomination. nothing definite can
be said until Mr. Truman abandons his
cryptic attitude and clearly answers the
question as to whether he will be q
candidate to succeed himself. The Oft
proved fact that even the feeblest White
House incumbent has the power to re-
nominate himself makes it impossible
to count this one out until he says the
word
However, there Is not q great dea. Of
mystery about it. 1t is certainly true
the millions of Federal jobholders are
strongly for Mr.. Truman, his contin-
uance in Office being the best way to
insure their own continuance. But the
judgment Of almost all his intimate
friends is that he has made up his mind
not to run. Nearly all of these agree
that this is wise decision. So dc most
OF the more clear-headed Democratic
politicians in and out of Congress. For
this conviction there are several SEEM
lngly sound reasons. One, of course,
is his age. Though younger than Gen.
Macarthur, it is doubtful that Mr.. Tru-
man is in as good physical condition.
II renominated, he would be close to
68 before he could begin his third term,
almost 72 before it ended. Most persons
would say that is too old. Second,
there is the fact that since his tri-
umphant election in 1948, Mr.. Truman
has had three terrifically tough years.
His troubles have multiplied; his bur-
dens have increased: almost nothing
has gone well with him. 1t is not easy
hnlioUn of hi
want four more years of such a life.
Third the most reliable information is
that Mrs. Truman and his daughter
definitely want him not to run again.
Fourth, there is the recently adopted
amendment to the Constitution fixing
two terms as the limit for President.
True, Mr.. Truman is exempted from
this restriction and there is no legal
reason why he should not make third
term attempt. But in addition to having
been proposed by more than three
fourths Of Congress, the amendment
was ratified by more than three-fourths
OF the States. Thus 1t is impossible not
to regard 1t as a reflection Of the senti-
ment OF the people and the moral
reason for complying is clear. Fifth
and final reason is the extremely dubious
prospect that he could be reelected.
Today the odds are much heavier against
him than in 1948. His administration
has developed scandals that touch the
inner White House circle.
Add all this up and one can under,
stand why the belief is so strong that
Mr.. Truman is through. If this view
Is sound, the question then arises: How
much influence would he have after he
announces he is out?
An interesting suggestion Of one thing
he might do has been made. He could
withhold any statement until the con-
vention meets. In the meantime he
could permit various States to pledge
their delegations to him on the theory
that he would accept draft" Then
he could appear dramatically before the
convention, announce his withdrawal
and (the military situation permitting)
appeal to the convention to draft" Gen.
Eisenhower, that great American" for
whom his admiration is very real. What
would happen then? Well, regardless
OF the fact that he is not Democrat,
desperately anxious to win. the Demo-
Gratis certainly would nominate hinl-
and unanimously. This idea may seem
fantastic. but it is possibility, and the
mere possibility changes the situation
One experienced and astute Republi-
can expressed it this way: Why" he
said, that makes Eisenhower's nomina-
tion by us inevitable. The possibility
amounts to coercion. We just couldn't
take the risk. Look at the factS-our
convention must be held first Our date
Is already fixed. If we fail to draft the
general. and Mr.. Truman and the Denl-
ocrats do draft him. we are down the
drain again. No one we name would
stand chance. We can beat Truman
this time. We can beat any one else
they have to offer. But we can't beat
Eisenhower. It makes no difference
what he stands for, or whom we put up.
II that possibility exists-and it does
we have got to nominate him"
OF course, 1t may not work out that
way. Perhaps circumstances or his own
decision will eliminate Gen. Eisenhower
before the conventions meet. The Re-
publicans then might well feel safe n
nominating Mr.. Taft and the Demo-
Gratis would be forced to choose among
certain already mentioned party figures,
including the three Senators, Fulbright,
Kefauver and the arch Paul Douglas Of
Illinois, who so unctiouSly and uncon-
vincingly disparages himself before his
television audiences. But 1t will be
agreed that this Eisenhower possibility
exists, and that no more pregnant posi-
bility has been known in our political
history