Evening star., 1953-10-29
The Political Mill
Presidents S Aid Needed
By Republicans in 1854
Two VituI States Will Lack
Strong Party Leadership
By Gould Lincoln

BY 6ouId Lincoln
The propriety of political campaign
by President of the United States (a)
for his own reelection, (b) in support
of the candidates for Governor or
Senator or Representative of his own
political party and Co for individual
and isolated candidates for these Of
fees has been debated many times in
the past. Also, the effectiveness Of the
President in such campaigns. Since
the development Of the two-party sys-
TEN in this country it has become the
practice of an incumbent President to
battle on the huStingS for his own side.
Some have been more active than
lotherS in this field, and some much
more effective than others. Five years
ago, former President Harry Truman
battled his way across the country to
victory.
Campaigning by a President for or
against candidates for Congress and
for or against candidates for Governor
raises other questions. Whether, for
example, President Of all the people
should take part in such contests. The
propriety of presidential campaign
to help elect a Congress of his own
political faith can be strongly argued.
He needs such Congress to help him
carry out his programs. particularly OF
legislation. In the case of Governors
race, however, a President may we'll
be restricted to campaigning only in
his own State. President Eisenhower
has clearly indicated he does not intend
to enter gubernatorial contests.
President viii Speak.
So far as the congressional campaign
of 1854 is concerned, the President has
made another rule for himself. He
wants a Republican Congress elected.
He will, it is now expected, make
speeches in various parts of the coun-
try setting forth the record and accom-
plishments of the Republican admin
iStration in Washington and of the
present Republican-controlle 83d Con-
greSs, and supporting the Republican
programs. He does not propose to enter
individual congressional fights. He could
not, he points out, familiariZe himself
with the local issues in 435 congress
Sional districts and 35 States where
senatorial races will take place next
year. He will feel at liberty however,
to speak kindly of Republican candi-
dates in the places where he may be
delivering addresses. This to a con-
siderable extent removes the chill from
the spines of party leaders who had
feared from remarks made by the Pres
ident week or two ago that he would
do little or nothing in the congressional
campaigns next year.
There is no doubt that Eisenhower
support will be desirable in the con-
greSSional contest and little doubt it
may be necessary if the G. o. P. is to
control the two houses of Congress in
the 84th Congress. This because of the
wide personal popularity of the Presi-
dent. In fact, it will be strongly urged
by the Republican leaders that it is nec-
essary to elect Republican Congress
IN order to make it possible to carry out
the Presidents programs.
Two Crucial States.
The Republicans have a real battle
on their hands in these coming elec-
tions of 1854. For example in two great.
States New York and California, it is
now evident the Republicans who have
led them to political victory for the last
dozen years will not be heading the
G. o. P. tickets next year. Gov. Dewey
of New York has decided not to run for
reelection and former Gov. Earl War
rem of California has been appointed
Chief Justice of the United States. The
present House delegation from New
York is composed of 27 Republicans
and Is Democrats. The delegation from
California is made up of 19 Republi-
cans and IL Democrats. A considerable
loss OF House seats now held by Repub-
IlcanS in these two States might easily
make the next House Democratic.
There are other States, too, where
many congressional districts are on the
border line, and some of them where
Senate elections are always close. OBJ
VlouSly, strong campaign by Gen,
Eisenhower, in support of the Republi-
can program and record, may be effec-
tive. This will be true of Ohio. North
Dakota, Illinois and Massachusetts. az
well as in the States of the Southwest
and OF the South. where the Republi-
cans were able to win in the presiden.
t1al campaign of 1852.
Whether 1t is wise for q President
70 make a formal and general appeal
Tor the election Of a Congress controlled
oy MS own party is a question that the
Republican strategists and the Presi-
dent will have to determine. Such an
appeal by Woodrow Wilson in 1919 was
unsuccessful.