Evening star., 1951-09-11
The Political Mill
Eisenhower Established
As Kansas Republican,
Timing Of Roberts Statement
Clears Question Of Leonines
By Gould Lincoln

Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower has been
definitely established as IAN old-fash-
ioned Kansas Republican'-unless the
general should repudiate a statement
made to that effect by Roy A. Roberts,
president of the Kansas City Star. No
such reputation is expected. Mr.. Rob-
ertS, in National Broadcasting System
broadcast, said unequivocally that Gen.
Eisenhower had told him, personally,
that he was Republican.
The timing of this announcement by
friend of Gen. Eisenhower, who would
like to see him nominated by the G.. o. P.
for President, hit this politically
minded capital right between the eyes.
1t cleared up, apparently once and for
all, the question of Gen. Eisenhowers
political leanings. 1t established him as
a Republican beyond doubt, for the
benefit of millions of other Republicans
who have been kept in doubt about his
politics. 1t also puts an end to the
seemingly endless speculation by Dem
ocratS about the possibility that Gen.
Eisenhower will head the Democratic
national ticket in 1952-or run as a
vice presidential candidate with Pres
ident Truman.
Build-Up for Draft"
The Strengthening out of this ques-
ton of Gen. "Ike's" politics has finally
put it up to millions of Republicans to
decide for themselves whether they
would like to have him as the party's
nominee for President next year. They
no longer have to wonder whether he is
a Republican. Not only did he tell Mr..
Roberts he was Republican three
years ago, but after he became president
OF Columbia University and until he
was appointed supreme commander Of
the NATO forces in Europe, Gen. Eisen-
hover delivered a series of speeches
distinctly anti-New Deal and anti-Fair
Deal In tenor. There appears no reason
to believe, therefore, that the general
has changed his politics in the interval.
The build-up of the draft Eisen-
hover" movement among Republicans
has been carefully engineered for
months. His friends have carefully alb
stained from asking him to answer any
questions about politics which might
embarrass him in the work he is do
ing. But they have been working hard
nevertheless.
The next question is Gen. Eisen-
hoWer's availability for a presidential
nomination. No answer to this question
is expected until after the first of next
year, as things now stand. Here again
it is a question of timing. The general
is engaged in tremendously important
bodybuilding up the military strength
in Western Europe to oppose any Com
munist aggression. 1t is essential he
stay away from politics. There are those
who insist he is indispensable in that
job-and the most vociferous are Re-
publicans who favor the nomination Of
Senator Taft of Ohio and Democrats
who favor the denomination of Presi-
dent Truman. They just don't want any
part of an Eisenhower nomination-or
drive for a nomination-fo the presi-
dency.
Idea of indispensable Man.
The idea that Gen. Eisenhower is in
diSpenSable as a leader in Europe, and
for that reason should not be available
for a presidential nomination, does not
appear sound-if he can be nominated
and elected President. 1t should be OBJ
vious that as President of the United
States and commander in chief of the
armed forces of this country he could
do as much and more for the upbuild-
ing of the NATO. He would be more
familiar with the problems involved than
any other man who might be in the
White House-and presumably he would
be in entire sympathy with the pro-
gram, unless he became convinced it
would not work or was not worth the
effort because the European nations
Jagged on their end of the job. And he
would be in position of infinitely more
power. Also, should the Republicans
nominate and elect Mr.. Taft, for
example, and Gen. Eisenhower be re-
tanned as commander of the NATO in
Europe, it might be found that the
new President was not as friendly to
the program and Gen. Eisenhower
might become handicapped in carrying
out this function.
Some day, however, if Gen. Eisen-
hover is to run for President. his avail
ability must be known. The forces
backing Senator Taft for the nomina-
ton are strong and aggressive. The
strategy of the Eisenhower supporters
may be to keep their man under wraps
as long as they can-but they can't do
it indefinitely if he is to be in the final
running. 1t looks as though they had
made their first real move.