The Key West citizen., 1952-09-17

Editors nofe: This is fhe third
of a series. Of five stories on the
political situation as Of now, as
seen by newspaper editors and
political writer's in all 4S sfates).
BY DOUGLAS B. CORNELL
NEW YORK R - Dixie editors
rate it a $3.50 guess at this point
whether the South will be solid or
split in the 1852 presidential battle.
The consensus of those taking
part in an Associated Press survey
is that the bulk of Dixie once more
will be safe for the Democrats.
But newsmen say that if the selec
tion were held now Gen. Dwight D.
Eisenhower might be able to storm
the Democratic fortress in the
South and border state and
snatch three or possibly five safes
from Gov. Adlai E. Stevenson.
Texas, Louisiana and Florida are
the big question marks, Virginia
and Kentucky lesser ones.
In state after state, even in
some of those considered dead
sure to 60 Democratic as
usual, editors and correspondents
say Eisenhower will receive the
biggest vote ever accorded a Re-
publican presidential candidate.
The way North Carolina editor
summed up prospects in his own
county apparently applies to much
of the Southland:
"There will be more Republican
votes but not nearly enough"
At the moment, the composite
opinion of Southern newspapermen
is that Democratic Nominee Ad
lai Stevenson is certain to sweep
the presidential election in Ala
bama, Arkansas and Mississippi,
North Carolina, Tennessee, Oklaho-
ma and West Virginia. Those nine
safes have 88 electoral votes.
Kentucky is considered close but
fairly sure to 60 Democratic. Vir-
ginia editors think their state is
leaning toward Stevenson by such
a scant margin as to be highly
doubtful. Kentucky has 10 electoral
votes, Virginia IL.
Editors are uncertain as to
whether Texas, Louisiana and Flor
ida, with A electoral votes among
them, will remain Democratic or
hop over to the Republican camp.
When results of surveys in five
Middle Atlantic and IL Western
states are combined with those in
the South, neWSmen turn up with
these opinions, on the basis of
present trends:
l. Stevenson has the edge in II
Southern and Border states which
are fairly safe or at least leaning
his way. He is expected to get
Arizona from the Western group.
1t adds up to a dozen states with
ia electoral votes to toss on the
line Nov. 4.
2. Five Middle Atlantic and nine
Mountain and Western states are
leaning toward Eisenhower or like
ly to back him. These IA states
have a total of TIA electoral votes.
3. Three Southern states, plus
Colorado, are political uncertain
ties. Their so electoral votes could
go either to Stevenson or Eisen-
hover.
Needed to win the election: 266
electoral votes.
In the South, as in other regions,
many editors and correspondents
say it is too early to tell how
Many voters, particularly the in
dependents, they say, are waiting
to hear what the rival candidates
have to say before making up their
minds.
But at this state of the campaign,
many Dixie newsmen say a trend
is apparent that may bring a rec
ord vote for the Republican ticket
in November even if it falls short
of carrying any states.
Again, as in other regions, they
cite these factors: Sentiment for a
change, Eisenhower personal
popularity, disgust with Truman