Evening star., 1955-03-08
The Political Mill
Biggest Question Mark
In Ohio is Gov. Luusche
Will He Run for Governor,
Senator, or Still Higher Job?
By Gould Lincoln


himself knows what he is PLAN
ming for 1856. Political gossip casts him
in three potential roles First. as a can
didate for the Democratic national
ticket-frst or second place. Second.
as a candidate for Senator against
Senator George Bender. Republican.
Third, as a candidate to succeed him
self as Governor for a sixth term.
So far, Gov. Lausche has given no
inkling what he intends to do. and he
may not know himself. The Ohio pri-
maries are more than year in the
future. The longer the Governor keeps
his opposition guessing, perhaps the
better for him.
Obviously, any Democrat who can be
elected five times for Governor of an
important Republican State-and that
Ohio has been in recent years-is a
man to reckon with. His strength with
Republican and independent voters of
the State has been the secret of his sue
ceSs-an open secret at that. The Dem
ocrats have gone along with Gov.
Lausche-but some of them would like
to stick knife in him. The Governor
has been law unto himself in his
political career. and his personal popu-
larity and his own ability have made it
possible for him to control or ignore the
so-called Democratic organization.
viii Wait and See.
Again and again, Gov. Lausche has
indicated or intimated he has no expec-
tation of running for either President
n,N Njnn Drpcjdonf Ia hoc cold hn
not intend to make any speeches out
side of Ohio until December. 1956-ani
he made similar statements regarding
other presidential election years in the
past He has not bothered to attend or
to take part in some of the Democratic
National Conventions. But next year.
it is rumored, he may play it differ
emily. He may take an interest in the
slate of delegates to be elected to the
1856 Democratic National Convention.
If he does, he may wish to become the
favorite-son candidate for the presi-
dental nomlnation--to hold on to
Ohlos large delegation. Properly
handled, this might mean a vice presl-
Dental nomination, depending on
whom the Democrats nominate for
President Gov. Lausche carried Ohio
by some 100000 votes in 1852 while
Gen. Eisenhower was defeating Adlai
Stevenson there by 100000 Last year
Gov. Lausche won his fifth term as
Governor against James A. Rhodes, by
$4,000.
Most Of the guessing today places
Gov. Lausche as a candidate for SEN
ator next year--against Senator Ben
der who defeated Senator Burke, DEM
ocrat, by scant 1850 votes. To many,
it would appear logical step for Gov.
Lausche. The question arises. however:
Does Gov. Lausche wish to go to Wash
ington as Senator? Also, can he expect
to retain his Republican support for the
Senate seat? Voting for Senator and
for Governor are two different things.
But if Gov Lausche decides to run for
Senator, he's going to take lot of beat
ing. Ohio voters are used to casting
ballots for him.
Ten Years as Governor.
Gov. LauSche has served. or will have
served, 10 years as Governor at the con-
clusion of his present term of Office
five two-year terms. Ohio has changed
its constitution so that Governors shall
be elected for four-year terms, begin
ming next year. A sixth term, there
fore, would mean total of IA years for
Gov. LauSche. Sometimes a politician
goes to the we'll too often. Gov.
LauSche has seen that happen to others.
For the Republicans. the Lausche
enigma has its intriguing aspects. SEN
ator Bender naturally would like to
know if he has to face the popular Gov
ernor at the polls. Potential Republican
candidates for Governor are equally in
terested-they want to know If they
will have Gov. LauSche as an opponent.
Generally, it is propheSied that Senator
Bender will be ominated-although
there are one or two other aSpirants
for the Republican senatorial nomina-
ton. They have not openly announced
themselves. In the meantime, Ray
Bliss. the active young Republican
State Chairman of Ohio, is giving the
situation considerable study. Mr. Bliss
has done real job in his present office.
Ohio not only elected a Republican
Senator, taking up Democratic seat,
but it also picked up House seat for
merly held by Democrat in the 1854
congressional elections. All this while
the Democrats were taking a Senate seat
away from the Republicans in nearby
Michigan, another in Kentucky. and
re-electing Senator Douglas in Illinois.
Temporarily under wraps in Ohio is
Robert Taft, son of the late Senator
the late fMr. Republican, Bob Taft.
He is serving his first term in the State
Legislature and making a good record.
Many wanted him for a Republican
senatorial nominee last year. He re-
mains an available candidate for higher
office-although he probably will wish
to seek reelection next year.