The Omaha guide., 1956-10-19

=
ted that, on the average, not more
than one in 20 of those voters who
backed President Eisenhower four
years ago, but who voted for DEM
cratic state nominees this year,
are now planning to vote for Adlat
E. Stevenson.
Another very small fraction OF
1852 Eisenhower supporters are
now on the fence, according to
these interviews.
Thus, if this 5 per cent shift
proves correct, President Eisen-
hover will still carry Maine very
heavily. But if the same percent
age were to prevail in some key
states, the election would be ex-
tremely close nationally.
Although political observers are
seeking to draw broad political
implications for the nation from
the Maine results, the Maine vo-
ters themselves generally regard
the outcome as based almost
wholly on the high caliber of the
Democratic nominees and strictly
Maine issues.
While they believe the Democrs-
tic propaganda value inherent IN
those results is high, they consider
the Maine election a strictly Maine
affair, indicating no national
trend in the November presi-
dental and congressional cleo
tions.
Those Eisenhower hackers, Re
publican, Democratic, and indepen-
dent alike, who in large numbers
helped reelect Democratic Gov.
Edmund S. Muskie and give one OF
the three GOP-held congressional
seats, and possibly another to the
Democrats, do not believe they
have handicapped the President
whom they may hope to reelect.
Defections Explained
Rather then feel their actions
may lead to state and federal pro
grams to boost Maine economic
position.
If the interviews are indicative
of the general political temper Of
Names voting population, the
President will suffer some Maine
defections. for variety of reas-
ons, usually because of those -
round him rather than anti-Eisen-
hover feelings or pro-Stevens0B
sentiments.
Not single Republican or DEM
ocrat who voted a straight party
ticket this year and supported his
party's presidential nominee four
years ago, among the scores inter-
viewed in many communities, re-
ported that he would deviate in
IlNONCti1OGl.
The interviews took place on
main streets, in garages, shops.
and at factory gates in such COM
Imunities as Portland, Augusta
Lewiston, Auburn, Biddeford, and
ISaco.
Among those voters who backed
President Eisenhower la 1852 but
Iplan to support Mr.. Stevenson in
November was retired govern
lment worker in Saco. He said:
l"Until this year l always voted
a straight Republican ticket. This
year | voted for Governor Muskie
and for Jim Oliver for Congress.
| am going to vote for Mr. Steven
son in November.
For Little Man
81 still like Eisenhower but
don't like the crowd around hinn-
They are too much for big bus5-
ness. I felt Muskie and Oliver
are for the little man."
James c. Oliver of Cape Eliza
beth, Democratic nominee for Rep.
resentative in Congress from the
1st Congressional District, came
within 20 votes of defeating Rep
resentative Robert Hale R) of
Maine, seeking his eighth consecu-
tive term.
In Auburn, a housewife was
typical of the few interviewed who
said they are now ION the fence
regarding the presidential cleo
ton. She reported she voted for
Governor Muskie and Frank M.
Coffin, chairman of the Democrats
State Committee, who wrestcd aha
2nd Congressional District sea-
from the COP, but is more hess
tant about President Eisenhowes
because of the health issue.
The first District, many persons
interviewed stressed that they
voted for Mr.. Oliver. the Demo.
cratic nominee, on the ground that
Mr.. Hale has been in office IL
years and "has done little for
Maine," despite the fact that in
Washington Mr.. Hale is regarded
as an excellent congressman.
Mr.. Hale's stand against public
power, in contrast to Mr.. divers
constant demands that Names
five major rivers and Passama
quoddy be deveoped as publs
power projects, cost him votes.