Evening star., 1952-07-19
BorkIey Gains Strength
In Race for Presidency
Truman Is Rumored in Favor
Of Kentuckiun's Cundiducy
The Political Mill:
By Gould Lincoln

CHICAGO. July 19.-Not since the
early days of the Republic has the line
of presidential succession found Vice
Presidents moving into the Office of
Chief Executive. Andrew jackson,
somewhat later, was able to get his Vice
President Martin Van Buren, nominated
and elected to the presidency. In more
recent years, several Vice Presidents who
succeeded to the Office of President on
the deaths of their predecessors, have
later stood for election and won the
presidency. For example, Theodore
Roosevelt, Calvin Coolidge and Harry S.
Truman. But the vice presidential office
has by no means been stepping stone
to the White House.
The Democratic National Convention
of 1852 and Vice President Alben Bark
ley may prove an exception to this rule,
if it can be considered a rule. Mr.. Bark
ley apparently is to have his run-in
this most confused situation which the
Democrats have experienced in score
of years. AS more and more delegates
and Democratic leaders reach the con-
vention city, more and more is heard Of
Barkley's chances. Rumor has it that
President Truman himself looks with
favor on the candidacy of his veteran
Vice President. Mr.. Barkley carried
much of the campaign burden in l948
and never faltered.
Hot Race for Second Place.
Since the Vice President is IA years
old and would be in his 18th year when
he took Office as President, should he
win that Office, it is apparent that the
Democrats will seek to name a strong
nj 70
President if they make Barkley their
presidential candidate. Indeed, there
may be a hot race for second place on
the ticket-if Barkley lands the first
place.
Presumably. however, Mr.. Barkley
would have a good deal to say about the
choice of his running mate. A pres
idential nominee, unless he leaves it
to his advisers and campaign managers.
usually picks vice presidential candi-
date. The late Franklin D. Roosevelt,
after he got rid of Vice President Garner
ON the third-term issue-picked Henry
Wallace for Vice President in 1910. He
dumped Mr.. Wallace in 1944-although
he wrote letter to the convention say
ing he would vote for Wallace if he were
delegate. In Wallace's place Mr.. RooSs-
velt took Harry S. Truman. The point is.
it took Roosevelt OK to nominate
vice presidential candidate.
There is the chance, too, however, that
in order to obtain presidential nomina-
ton an agreement may be necessary on
Vice President. In 1882, Franklin D.
Roosevelt agreed to take Jack Garner Of
Texas as his running mate-and SO
won nomination for President the first
GoY orfc 41NI Malt
delegates swung the nomination to F. D.
r. Now, if Mr.. Barkley gets within
striking distance of the presidential
nomination, New York, with youthful
Franklin D. Roosevelt, jr., or Michigan,
with Gov. Mennen Williams, to offer as
vice presidential candidates. might swing
the nomination finally into Mr. Barkleys
lap. Both States have large delegations
in the convention Illinois has its Sen
ator Paul Douglas who might prove
acceptable indeed, there has been
a, report that majority of Illinois big
delegation is ready now to support the
Kentucky veteran for the presidential
nomination.
Earned Place, Is Argument.
1t is argued that the Vice President
has earned his place in the sun, that
he will go down the line for the Roose-
velt New Deal and the Truman Fair
Deal. Also, that coming from a border
State, Mr.. Barkley could do much to
bring the warning Northern and South
ern factions of the Democratic Party
together. Certainly, Mr. Barkley has
given his proofs that he Is more than
capable campaigner.
1t seems clear, however, that Mr..
Barkley is not going to have the nomi-
nation without a brisk fight. The
forces backing both Senator Kefauver
OF Tennessee and Mutual Security Ad-
miniStrator w. Averell Hartman of
New York will do their utmost to
'stop" the Barkley candidacy-even, it
is rumored, to the extent OF joining
forces to that end. Their trouble will
lie, however, in deciding which of them,
Kefauver or Hartman, is to have the
presidential nomination. Kefauver-
Hartman ticket is discussed. Senator
Humphrey Of Minnesota, militant lib
eral and himself favorite-son candi-
date, has said he would welcome such
ticket, or would take Hartmann
Kefauver one.
If the Barkley nomination ma
terializes. it will be another strange
manifestation of a strange political year.