Evening star., 1952-06-21
The Political Min
California in Key Spot
Of 9. O. P. Delegations
Con Make or Mar Chances
Of Almost Any Condidote
By Gould Lincoln

By Gould Lincoln
California's big 70-member delegation
to the Republican National Convention
may be in key position to make or mar
the chances of any candidate for the
G. o. P. presidential nomination. Hence
the bait which it Is said is now being
dangled before the Californians' eyes by
supporters of Senator Taft of Ohio-a
vice presidential nomination for popular
Senator Bill Knowland.
That such a deal-a deal by which
Knowland and his friends in the Cali
fornia delegation would swing to Taft
for the presidential nomination and get
in return Taft's support for Knowland
Tor Vice Presidents being tried out
by Taft lieutenants is vouched for by
unimpeachable California sources. But
that it is getting anywhere is something
else. Senator Knowland has said no
offer has been made to him personally.
Furthermore, he is in Gov. Earl Warren's
corner as long as the California Cover
nor wants him there. He will make the
speech placing Warren in nomination for
the presidency in the Chicago conven-
tion. Senator Taft, too, has denied any
offer to Senator Knowland.
Claims of Taft Forces Doubted.
The second factor in the situation is
that it is extremely doubtful that more
than S. or 10 at the most. California
delegates would vote for Taft even if
such deal were attempted. The Cali
fornia delegates were all appointed by
Gov. Warren-and Warren has no use for
Senator Taft as presidential candidate.
He does not agree with TaftS policies or
philosophy of government. He does not
believe that Senator Taft could carry
California, or that he could carry the
country. Talk by Taft people that there
are Is to 80 delegates in the California
aggregation favorable to the Ohio Sena-
tor is. according to insiders, lot of
baloney.
The California delegates know that, in
the first place. there are million more
registered Democrats in their State than
there are Republicans. Under these
circumstances, some of the Californians
say it would be suicidal for the G. o. P.
to nominate Taft and hope to carry Cali
fornia with its big electoral vote. They
fear he would lose by 300 900 votes. With
Warren or Eisenhower. they figure they
would have chance.
Gov. Warren himself is likely to have
the final word in the disposition of the
delegateS-and he may hold on to them
for himself until it is too late TO affect
the final nomination for President. He
is firm in the belief that he himself has
chance for the nomination. He will
hold out. If he does not release the
delegates, they will stick with him.
Any deal with the Taft people, there
fore, seems entirely unlikely of consum-
mation-either because the delegates
would not 60 along or because it would
be too late if attempted.
Knowland Happy in Senate.
Senator Knowland, the subject Of
these attempted dickers, is entirely
happy where he iS-in the Senate. He
has recently won both the Republican
and Democratic nominations for that
office for another SiX-year term. It is
probable, however, he could run for
Senator and for Vice President at the
same time-if he should be placed on
the Republican national ticket. The
voters in California vote for presidential
and vice presidential electors, not for
President or Vice President. Techni-
cally, Senator Knowland would not be
on the ballot for two Offices. 1t will bs
remembered, too, that former Vice Presi-
dent Jack Garner in 1882 was reelected
to the House of Representatives from
Texas at the same time he was elected
Vice President on the Democratic ticket
with Franklin D. Roosevelt.
There is the chance, however, that a
legal question might be raised in Cali
fornia if Knowland were nominated for
Vice President and kept right on run
ming for Senator, too. In that event,
the Democratic Attorney General. Pat
Brown, might rule against him-and the
Republicans would be shy candidate in
California either for Senator or for Vice
President.
Senator Knowland might more easily
become the nominee of the Republicans
for Vice President on ticket with Gen.
Dwight D. Eisenhower-if the wishes of
the California delegates are taken into
consideration. It is the belief Of some
California leaders that IS out of the 70
delegates would 60 to Eisenhower if and
when Gov. Warren releases them. Know
land would add strength to the Repub-
lican national ticket in a State which
may be vital to the Republican Party
next November. The California Senator
insists, however, he has had no offers Of
the v. P. nomination from either the
Ike forces or those of Senator Taft.