Evening star., 1952-09-11
The Political Mil
Eisenhower Ticket Gets
Big Lift in Wisconsin
Voters Supported Mccarthy
As Symbol on Red Issue
The Political Mil
By Gould Lincoln

AS Symbol on Ked issue
By Gould Lincoln
The voters of Wisconsin have appar-
emily decided the Mccarthy issue to
their own Satisfaction-and how. Their
cascade of Mccarthy ballots in the
senatorial primary is interpreted as Ger
tain reelection in November of the
most controversial member of the up
per house since the late Huey Long,
the Louisiana Kingfish. Senator Nc
Carthy in the Republican primary ran
more than 100000 votes ahead of his
three opponents combined He ran
more than 10000 ahead of the COM
bined vote Of his three Republican op-
ponents and the two candidates for the
Democratic senatorial nomination, in a
total primary vote of about 50O00-a
huge primary vote and a record. In
the Republican primary, upwards Of
76l 900 votes were cast; in the Demo-
cratic primary. approximately $4,000.
No such margin of Republican
strength is expected in the general elec-
tion in November. The State went
Democratic in 1948, in the presidential
election, by $4,000 votes. There was
no senatorial election that year, but
the Republicans elected former Gov.
Remcebolun. Gov. Kohler, elected in
1850, is again on the ticket this year.
With Kohler and Mccarthy both run
ming. the Eisenhower ticket should get
big lift. Indeed, it's going to take
political miracle to give Wisconsin
to Adlai Stevenson in the presidential
race.
More Than Show Of Strength.
The Wisconsin result goes beyond a
mere show Of Republican strength in
} that State. 1t shows that the voters
in Wisconsin take seriously charges that
the State Department under the Tru-
man and Roosevelt administrations was
far too friendly. far too ready to ap-
peaSe Communist Russia. Further, they
take seriously the charges that Russian
Communist Sympathizers and fellow
travelerS-and CommuniSts-had infil-
trated that department. The Wiscon-
sin result shows that the So-called Red
issue" Is by no means dead SO far as
this campaign is concerned. The voters
supported Joe Mccarthy as a symbol.
They want change in Washington
not in their Senator.
No one can plead that the voters were
not fully informed regarding Senator
Mccarthy. For weeks the air and the
newspapers were full of the charges
brought by Len Schnitt, his principal
opponent for the Republican senatorial
nomination. For weeks. too. the two
candidates for the Democratic sena-
torial nomination made Senator McCar-
thy their chief target of attack. Henry
Reuss, Milwaukee attorney, who was
defeated in the Democratic primary by
Thomas Fairchild. started last year
campaigning over the entire State
against Senator Mccarthy. His oppo-
nents called Senator Mccarthy faker
and a crook and a character assassin.
The voters did not believe them, and
that's that. Senator Mccarthy himself
was unable to campaign because of a
surgical operation during the summer.
It is Of interest to note that Mr.. Schmitt
had the backing of both the State CIO
and AFL leaders-and yet Senator
Mccarthy cleaned up in the industrial
areas. including Milwaukee.
May Be Political Portent.
Six years ago, Senator Mccarthy de-
feated former Senator Bob La Toilette.
jr.. for the Republican senatorial nomi-
nation by o scant 1000 votes. He went
on to win election to the Senate by
620, 0,430 votes to 378,772 over his then
Democratic opponent. Howard McMur-
ray, former University of Wisconsin
professor and member Of the House.
The Mccarthy victory In the Wis
consin primary may be political por-
tent in other States. It will be remem-
bered that violent opponent Of Senator
Mccarthy, former Senator Tydings Of
Maryland, Democrat, who had been
chairman of the Senate committee In
vestigating Senator McCarthy's charges
against the State Department. was de-
feated by his Republican opponent.
Senator Butler, two years ago. The
Mccarthy issue entered that campaign.
Maryland Is o battle ground again this
year.
Also, the impact Of the Wisconsin
primary vote may be felt in Connecticut.
where Senator Benton. Democrat, Is up
for reelection. Senator Benton has
brought charges against Senator Nc
Carthy and sought to have him ousted
from the Senate. Senator Mccarthy has
fled countercharges against Senator
Benton. Mr.. Benton has tough Tight
ahead Of him.