Evening star., 1955-02-15
The Political Min
Little Sentiment Seen
For-Third-PortyM Move
No Big Cundidote Available
For 6. o. P. Splinter Group
The Political Min
By Gould Lincoln

TOR -. ". T. 9PiInrer group
By Gould Lincoln
Judged by the reaction, the third
party" suggestion put out by Gov.
Bracken Lee of Utah, at rally
of ultraconservative Republicans in
Chicago has all the earmarks Of
a dead duck. Gov. Lee seems
to have overlooked the fact that few
Republicans, conservative or otherwise.
want a third party. Also, there is no
outstanding Republican vino would care
to lead a third-party movement. The
late Senator Bob Taft of Ohio. had he
lived, would probably be one of the last
men to suggest a bolt from the G. o. P.
or from President Eisenhowers lead
ership. In fact. at the time of his death
Senator Taft was a stout supporter OF
the President.
Mr.. Eisenhower suffered real loss IN
the passing of the Ohio Senator. Sena-
tor Joe Mccarthy of Wisconsin, who
was a speaker at the conservative Re-
publicans' rally, gave the third-party
idea no support. He himself has always
in the past taken a dim view of sug-
gestions that he become candidate for
President. Senator Dirksen of Illinois,
a 100 per cent Taft man in 1852, spoke
at the conservative meeting in praise OF
Mr.. Eisenhower. He holds that the
President is the strongest candidate the
G. o. P. can put forward in next years
presidential race. Gov. Lee himself
would get nowhere if he sought to head
UP third party.
Attack From Right.
All of which should not be interpreted
as meaning Mr. Eisenhower is without
criticism from the conservatives. Gov.
Lee practically labeled the President
New Dealer, when he said he honestly
believed the Government had gone
further to the left in the last two years
than in any two-year period in the
history of the country. 81 think it's
immoral and I think it's dishonest" he
said. Senator Mccarthy for his part,
attacked Mr.. Eisenhowers handling Of
the Far East situation, declaring that
the REIMBURSEMENT Abf the Tachen
Islands had been victory for the
Chinese Communists. He reiterated his
criticism that Mr.. Eisenhower was too
easy on the Reds.
Here in Washington the Republican
high command is disinclined to take the
thlrdparty threat of Gov. Lee seriously.
Nor do the Democrats regard it as likely
to bear fruit. Democratic National
Chairman Paul M. Butler continues to
insist the Democrats will be able to de-
feat Mr.. Eisenhower without any splin-
ter party in the field. Gov. Lees sug-
gestion was that conservative Demo-
Gratis join in the third-party movement.
Strong in Chicago.
Republican leaders here, however,
frankly admitted that Mccarthy senti-
ment' is still strong in Chicago and
other areas. To this sentiment they
attributed the fact the Chicago con-
servative Republican dinner was put on
at all, or that it was attended by some
1900 to 1000 persons. Senator
Mccarthy was reelected to the Senate
in 1852, and he still has more than
three years of his present term to serve.
What his course will be if Mr. Eisen-
hover is renominated next year remains
to be seen. He admits he wants to stay
in the Senate. His only possible chance
AVA 3NASStAoAk AL 400 Will NC do VIC
nominee of the Republican Party.
Should he oppose the election of Mr..
Eisenhower, if the President becomes
the G. o. P. nominee. it would not help
Senator McCarthys chances of re-
election two years later Senator
Mccarthy took no active part in the
1854 congressional campaign, other
than to issue statement urging that
Republicans be elected-except Senator
Case of New Jersey who had announced
he was against continuing Senator
Mccarthy as head of any committee of
the Senate. particularly the investi-
eating committee. He might, indeed,
take no part in the 1856 campaign, ex-
cept to campaign for some of his
senatorial friends.
Here and there it has been suggested
that Senator Knowland of California,
the Republican leader of the Senate,
may become a candidate for the presi-
DENTAL nomination. Senator Know
land has not always voted with the
Eisenhower administration. For ex-
ample, he supported the proposed
Bricker constitutional amendment,
which would limit the Presidents
powers in handling foreign relations.
He also voted against the Mccarthy
censure resolution-and he has not
joined in the chorus that Mr.. Eisen-
hover must run again. However. Sena-
tor KnoWland has approved of the
present Formosa policy of the President.
Certainly he gives no indication he
would go along with any splinter party
movement.