Evening star., 1955-02-18
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Eisenhower Draft Move
Will Continue to Grow

Eisenhower Draft Move
Will Continue to Grow
By Gould Lincoln
The decision Of the Republican Ma
tional Committee to hold the party's
national convention In San Francisco
next year seems to have pleased every
one on the committee. The representa-
tives Of Chicago and Philadelphia, the
two other bidders for the convention.
accepted the decision with good grace.
So, for better or for worse, the g. o. p.
is bound for the West Coast. to NOM
mate its candidates for President and
Vice President and to write its plat
form.
The Republicans have broken away
completely from the Democrats in this
matter of national convention sites
after cooperating with them on the
same convention city in 1914, 1913 and
1852. Various reasons have been as
signed for their leaving Chicago to the
Democrats next year. One. that the
Republicans, planning to. renominate
President Eisenhower, did not cotton
to Chicago where the old Taft sentiment
and the more recent Mccarthy senti-
ment are supposed to be strong.
National Chairman Leonard w. Hall
says this Is "the bunk" Another reason
was that the Republicans refused to be
led around by the nose by Democratic
National Chairman Paul M. Butler, who
decreed that the Democratic National
81, haN ixa CtafNo
and tied up two dates-July % and
August 13--for the Democratic Ma
tional Convention in that city. The
Republicans, it was said. felt they would
be forced to take the leavings. Also. the
Republicans felt that they wanted q
late convention and a shorter national
campaign-since they plan to renorn-
mate the President.
Eisenhower Decision.
Much depends, naturally, on
whether Mr.. Eisenhower runs again.
II he is renominated, the Demo-
Gratis say. the Republican National
Convention will be cut and dried
affair-an anti-climax to the Demo-
cratic National Convention which is
to be held the week before the G. o. p.
session. For there is a chance for
real contest for the Democratic presi-
Dental nomination, even if Adlai Ste
yenson now seems to be out in front
in that race. Senator Kefauver Of
Tennessee, Senator Symington Of Mis-
souri,. Gov. Hartman of New York,
Gov Lausche of Ohio and Gov. Leader
of Pennsylvania may all be breathing
down the Stevenson neck when the
Democrats meet in national convention
next year. In other words, the Demo-
cratic National Convention Of 1856 may
turn out to be far more interesting to
the public-which will be following both
conventions over television and radio,
not to mention the newspapers.
OF course, a decision by MI. Eisen-
hover not to run again would change
the picture in the twinkling of an eye.
The Republicans might find themselves
in for q Donnybrook of major propor-
tions. AS far as public interest. such
a row might shove the Democratic
National Convention into the back
ground. With the g. O. P. National
Convention set for San Francisco, at
least three potential candidates from
California for the presidential nomina-
ton would be found toeing the line
Vice President Nixon. Senator Know
land and Gov. knight. In all probability
there would be other candidates for
the Republican nomination.
Late Convention.
The fact, however, that the con-
vention has been set by the Republi-
cans as late as August 20, with little
more than two months intervening
between presidential nomination and
the election in November. gives con-
siderable credence to the belief that
Mr.. Eisenhower will run again. ESpe-
cially as he gave his assent to the
late date, as well as to the San
Francisco location-provided the latter
was selected by the national commit
tee. Mr.. Eisenhower needs no build-up
to the American people. They know
him-and they like him. But new
Republican presidential nominee would
be q horse of another color. There
might be some Republicans demanding
that Chief Justice Earl Warren ~
another Californian-retire from his
present high post and become the
G. o. p. nominee. But the Chief
Justice will, 1t is confidently asserted,
turn thumbs down on any such plan
to bring him back into the political
arena.
Presumably, the Republican national
ticket next year will be Eisenhower
and Nixon. Presidents have way Of
nominating their running mates, If they
desire to do so. Mr.. Eisenhower has
given Mr.. Nixon high praise and he
is not likely to turn his back on him
next year. There may be some Re-
publicans cunning for the Vice Presi-
dent, seeking to replace him on the
party ticket It will be difficult to
accomplish. In the meantime, notwith-
standing a. few raucous voices, the
Republicans are starting a real draft"
movement to persuade Eisenhower he
must run.
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