Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-07-22
The Political Mill
The Political Mill
Moody's Death Is Blow
ToMichigon Democrats
Only condidote Left Against
Ferguson Is Anti WilIicms
By GouId Lincoln

Ferguson IS Anti Williums
By Gould Lincoln
The sudden death Of Blair Moody,
newspaperman radio and television
commentator, and former Senator from
Michigan, brought grief to his count
less friends. who held him In affection
and respect. IN addition. 1t raised ma
jor proDlens for the Democrats OF his
State.
1t has removed their strongest cam
didate for the Senate seat now held by
Senator Homer Ferguson. Republican.
Particularly has it struck blow at the
dominant Democratic faction. headed
BY Gov. G. Mennen Williams and Wal
ter Reuther, president of the CIO, He
was that factions candidate for the
Senatorial nomination In the primary
election to be held August 8, less than
two weeks away. The only other entry
is Patrick ". McNamara, former AFL
labor leader and Detroit city council
man. member Of the board of education
and rent control administrator. He
has been described as o most likeahle
Irishman--and as q representative Of
the Democratic faction opposed to the
Williams Reuther group.
Strong Candidate.
Mr.. Moody. who had served in the
Senate following the death Of the late
Senator Arthur Vandenberg, Repub-
lican. under appointment by Gov. Will
liams. was expected to win the sena-
torial nomination over Mr.. Mcnamara
without too much trouble. The late
Senator ran strongly in the 1852 cleo
tons. losing by only 10000 votes to
Republican Senator Potter. when Gen.
Eisenhower was carrying the State over
Adlai Stevenson by $4,000 votes. and
Gov. Williams was squeezing by with q
lead Of 10000 votes over his Republican
opponent. While many observers gave
Senator Ferguson the edge in this race
which may determine the political
complexion Of the Senate in the next
Congress-Mr Moody was regarded as
strong contender and possible winner.
depending largely on the economic con-
ditions which prevail In Michigan next
November.
The Williams Reuther faction has
first to make up its mind whether to
stomach Mr.. Mcnamara as the DEM
ocratic nominee for Senator and run
ming mate for Gov. Williams, who is
seeking another term, or to attempt
write-in campaign for candidate
more to its liking. At this late date, a
write-in campaign seems impractical.
Walter Reuther is the only Democrat
who might have chance in such 4
campaign, and it is not believed he
would agree to run. Even If Mr.. Reu-
ther ran and won politicians in Mich
igan say he would be slaughtered in the
November election.
So it appears that Mr.. Mcnamara
will have the Democratic senatorial
nomination the expectations are
that Senator Ferguson will be the VIM
ner in the general election. outside Of
Detroit, Mr. Mcnamara is not widely
known. Mr.. Moody's death could not
have come at more inopportune time
for the Williams-R euther faction. Had
he died before the deadline for filing
for the primary had passed. Gov. VIII
liams and Mr.. Reuther might have
entered another candidate to oppose
Mr.. Mcnamara. Had Mr.. Moody died
after he had won the senatorial nomi-
nation in the approaching primary.
Y then the Democratic State Committee
could have picked candidate in his
place. Under all the circumstances, it
seems probable that the Governor and
Mr.. Reuther will have to go along with
Mr.. Mcnamara. And should Mr.. Nc
Namara, by any chance, win election
to the Senate, then the Democratic
Party in Michigan would really be split
over who should be its leader.
williams in Danger.
Gov. williams might have run for
the Senate himself. But he decided to
go again for Governor and to have
Mr.. Moody run for the Senate. Demo-
Gratis usually turn. not to Senators, but
to Governors for their presidential
nominees-and Gov. Williams Is be-
lieved to be ambitious. The death Of
Mr.. Moody may, indeed, cast its shadow
over the gubernatorial contest Gov. Will
liams picked for the lieutenant governor
nomination an attractive young man.
Phillip Hart, son-in-law Of the Walter
Briggs. But anti-Williams Democrats
have put up George s. Fitzgerald, who
was Democratic national committeeman
Lux Nn1GAliBhu ullbil llC was hlCkCu Uut
by the Williams faction in 1852. Mr..
Fitzgerald Is attorney for the AFL
Teamsters Union, and bitterly anti
Williams. If Mr.. Fitzgerald should win
in this contest, 1t would be bitter pill
for Gov. Williams and MFR. Reuther. The
cry Of the Fitzgerald Mcnamara sup
porters is: End the williams CLIO
domination of the Democratic Party"
Three Republicans are seeking the
nomination for Governor - D. Hale
Brake, State Treasurer; Pat Cleary,
Secretary Of State and former Republic
can State chairman. and Donald s.
Leonard, who resigned as commissioner
of police in Detroit to make the race.
A good Democratic row could help
the Republican nominee against Gov.
Williams.