Evening star., 1952-02-14
The Political Mil
Irumun Cundi ducy May
Upset 6. @. I. Thinking
Strongest Nominee Vital
To Republican Success
By Gould Lincoln

FTGSluSUb 4TuuAH ~ lnSt mas 8o4o
so far as to say he win run for renomi-
nation and reelection under Q specific
condition. That Is: he must be convinced
his reelection would speed world peace.
That Is the report OF Representative
SABBATH. Democrat. Of Illinois. after o call
on Mr.. Truman. This does not rule out
other reasons which might impel the
President to run again. It does, however.
suggest basis on which Mr.. Truman
may yield TO the opportunities Of the
Democratic Party leaders who are now
wearing path to the White House. and
who. knowing that Mr., Truman can
probably have the nomination by merely
stretching out his hand, wish to remain
on the Truman band wagon.
The Presidents opponents win argue
that Mr.. Truman has had six years In
which to bring about peace six years
since the end Of the fighting in World
War u-and that all he has come up
with Is another war in Korea and dis
turbed conditions In many other spots in
the world. But suppose Mr.. Truman is
able to announce withirf the next three
or four months cessation Of hostilities
in Korea on terms that seem to promise
peace. Mr.. Truman will be presented to
the people as the man who prevented
World War III. He may himself make
the claim that. by avoiding the program
suggested by Gen. Douglas Macarthur,
Representative Joe Martin of Massachu.
sets, and by other Republicans. which
would have meant extending the war to
Manchuria and Red China itself. he
saved the United States and the world
from conflict that might blot out
civilization.
Political Stock Might Rise.
Mr.. Truman's political stock In this
country. under such conditions, might
rise. End OF the war In Korea would
close OF some huge expenditures, even
though the country should keep on
with its present program Of increased
military preparedness. He might be In
position to promise an easing OF in
taxes and curtailment Of expenditures.
Mr.. Truman would still face the issue
Of corruption In his administration. But
to those charges he may be in position
to reply that he has himself worked
to clean up the mess, and that, after
all, it was Democrat controlled commit
tees Of Congress that showed up the
crooks and helped to get them out Of
the Government.
A great deal depends-so far as Mr..
Truman's chances Of reelection are con-
cerned-on what happens In Korea. A
gieat deal depends also on claim by
MIR. Truman that he Is needed to bring
peace to the world.
Effect on G. o. p. Thinking.
Obviously, II Mr.. Truman's stock rises
IN the next three or four months-and
he becomes a candidate
thinking about presidential candidates
will be affected. A stronger Truman
will bring an upsurge Of demand among
Republicans for the strongest candidate
they can find-the candidate who will
have the greatest appeal to the greatest
number OF voters. and that includes the
independent voters and Democratic
voters. The most hard-headed Republi.
can realizes by this time that the q. O. p.
cannot win unless 1t has support from
the great mass Of people who are either
completely independent Of party ties or
who wear the party collar lightly s@
If this happens, the fact that Gen.
Dwight D. Eisenhower sticks to his post
In Europe and fails to campaign at
home will seem relatively lnimportant.
The urge to go to Eisenhower viii bs
enormous. Fb
In this connection. . difference IN the
attitude Of Gen. Eisenhower and Presi-
dent Truman toward the presidential
nominations of their respective parties
Is pronounced. Gen. Eisenhower has
said he will accept a call to higher duty
If the people want him. President Tru-
man. on the other hand. has said he can
have the nomination If he wants to take
1t. In fairness. 1t must be added that
President Truman has now added .
condition-that he is needed for peace.