The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1952-04-02
Political
Notes
By JIM THoMAssoN


ATLANTA tA-Political realists,
who are wondering where the
South will go if Sen. Richard B.
Russell can't win the Democratic
nomination, are finding it difficult
to get clear picture.
In most Southern states, the anti
Truman Democrats are still SO
jubilant over President sTruman's
withdrawal, they won't even think
much less talk-of anything buA
Russell as the nominee.
However, anticipating wide
open convention in which anything
can happen. some Of them are
beginning to look ahead.
And il is a good bet that two
men-Gov Adlai Stevenson Ok II
linois and Sen. Rolarf Kerr of
0klahoma-wiIl be under careful
scrutiny of some shrewd Southern
politicians between now and next
July. l's''
Virginia, home of Sen. Harry
Byrd who was one OF the original
Russell sponsors, is one Of the
states where some thinking has
turned to who will inherit the
states delegates if Russell fails
to draw the necessary outside sup
port. hs
Stevenson's name has figufed in
some private diseussicl there and
he apparently win be watched
closely until convention time. One
Virginia leader-who declined to
be quoted--commented that ssstey-
ens0n appears TO be tie only DO.
ltential candidate of presidential
stature on the horizon, excI|ItGng
of course. Sen. Russell
Georgia's Gov. Herman Tai
madge, leader of the nti-Truman
campaign and active Russell sun
porter, also has recognized the pos
sibilities in wide open conQen-
ton. Russell. he said, will gel
the nomination or at least help
choose the Candidates and write
the platfrom. .
VINO would Talmadge take as
second choice? lie isn't saying, He
once remarked that Sem Kerr's
record is very similar 70 that Of
Sen. Russell.
Talmadge also admires Steven
son as an administrator, but IS q
bit, suspicious Of his thinning on
civil rights, states rights and .simi-
lar issues.
The Georgia governor has openly
seoffed at Sen. Estes KefauVerAfD =
Tenn as a Southern senlaxae !"
Outside of Tennessee there has
been ntle mention Of Kefauver as
a Southern candidate. SO m
kefauver also has the Intense
dislike Of Florida's Cow Fuller
Warren as a result of the sena-
tors Crime Committee hearings In
that state. a.,,tNs
Mississippi leaders don't have
any idea 10 whom they might turn
| II Russell fades. But he would have
to be strong states rights sup
porter. Gov. Hugh White said his
people are tremendously inter-
ested' In Russell, but are more
interested in the party platform.
Russell headquarters in Florida
has given mo thought to any such
eventually and expressed conf.
dence in Russell's nomination.
Frank Upchurch. q member Of
the Florida Democratic State Com
mittee, also has ncz considefed the
possibility Of RusselPs NOT winning.
But 4 Il should happen, ne said
Il suppose the Florida delegates
would 90 along with RusseiI.s rec
ommendation.
South Carolina reaction was
Quote Russeil's the man un-
quote: We are not considering that
anyone else can get the nemina.
ton in the face Of cohesive South
ern action.
Gov. Designate R0Ssert .Kennon
OF Louisiana said on a visit In At
ianta that 'four-fifths of fle PEG.
pie have talked with in Louisiana
are for Russell. 49,
IN Arkansas. where Gov. Sid Me-
Mafil has been consistenf sup.
porter Of President Truman Rus
sell Is reported to have some dele.
gate support, iogefher with Steven.