Evening star., 1952-06-07
The Political Mill. ~
Democrats Seek Way
To Druft Stevenson
Illinois Delegation Moy PUNK
First BuIIot on Governor
The Political Mill.
By Gould Lincoln


CHICAGO, June THE strategy Of
getting Gov. Adlai Stevensons name be-
fore the Democratic National Conyen-
ton for the presidential nomination is
worrying Democratic leaders here.
The Governor has said he could not
accept any nomination except that
which he already has-for a second term
as Governor of Illinois. It's q bit difi-
cult, therefore, for the Illinois Democrats
formally to place his name in nomina-
ton. The alternative, therefore, is to
have the Illinois delegation plunk for
the Governor on the first ballot-and
hope that Stevensons chances of draft
win build up from there on-or to have
the Stevenson movement start in some
other State delegation.
Meanwhile, Gov. Stevenson is going
about the State, and in other States, as
one observer remarked, like a candi-
date" In his case the presidential
nomination may be said to be chasing
the Governor, not he the nomination;
indeed, many Democrats regard the
Illinois Governor as the strongest pos
Sible candidate the party can put forward
this year. At one time it was believed
that there would be no possible chance
OF drafting the Governor should
Gen. Eisenhower become the Republican
presidential nominee, and that, on the
other hand, he would accept a call from
the convention should Senator Taft
OF Ohio become the G. o. p. standard
bearer More recently, the Democrats
have gained greater confidence, and see,
they say, some chance of winning next
November even against Gen. Eisenhower.
Delegation Not Committed.
Illinois big delegation to the Demo-
cratic National Convention is not COM
mitted to any candidate, although Sena-
tor Kefauver of Tennessee won the
Illinois presidential preference primary.
That primary. it is pointed out, is not
binding on the delegateS-who were
carefully selected by the Democratic
organization. A few of the delegates
are said to lean bit to Kefauver-but
it is believed that they will all line up
for the Illinois Governor. once q drive
for him is started.
Gov. Stevenson has had many op-
portunities to say fatty II will not accept
If nominated" He has never said those
final words, and until and unless he
does these Illinois Democrats are going
right ahead planning and hoping to get
him the presidential tag.
This goes for Col. Jake Arvey, the
Democratic national committeeman. and
for the delegates to the national con-
vention. Other candidates on the DEM
ocratic State ticket. however, look upon
a move to take Stevenson of as the
gubernatorial candidate with jaundiced
eye. Admittedly, he is the strongest
man the party can put forward for
Governor this year. With him heading
the State ticket, the other candidates
for State Office hope to ride along to
victory.
Bitter Strife within G. O. p.
Actually, If Gov. Stevenson should be-
come presidential nominee. the DEM
ocrats would not be too hard put to it to
select gubernatorial candidate with
chance of winning. This is due to the
bitter strife which has engulfed the Re-
publican Party, with one faction for
Senator Taft and another for Gen. Eli
senhower fighting like the proverbial Kill
kenny cats.
The Democrats have been encouraged.
too, by the fighting attitude of President
Truman. who has promised to campaign
across the country for the party nomi-
nee. They have taken the President at
his word that he himself will not run.
They do not expect Truman draft to
materialize, or to be successful If it is
tried.
A chilling breeze blew in from the
Pacific Coast this week, however. Sem
ator Knowland. Republican. of Califor-
mia won both the Republican and DEM
ocratic nominations for reelection as
Senator. This feat has sent cold chills
down Democratic backs. However, they
encourage themselves by saying that
Senator Knowland had no strong DEM
ocrat running against him. No Repub-
lican senatorial candidate has won both
party nominations since the days of the
late Hiram johnson of California. who
had been popular Governor. This as
Sures the reelection of Senator Know
land and promises for him a long and
important career in the Senate.
unless he should be picked for some
other Office.