Willkie scores primary foes
Kenosha, Wisconsin (UP) –
A few years in public office does not necessarily qualify a man for the Presidency, Wendell Willkie told an audience here yesterday in an attack on three of his opponents for the Republican presidential nomination.
Mr. Willkie aimed his remarks at backers of New York Governor Thomas E. Dewey, Ohio Governor John W. Bricker and former Governor of Minnesota LtCdr. Harold E. Stassen.
Measure personalities?
Mr. Willkie said:
I hear it said that the Republican Party should sit down and measure personalities and then select a candidate on the basis of his experience in public office.
It is suggested that some man who may have served one, two, three, four, five or six years as a governor is qualified for the Presidency, irresponsible of his stand on issues.
If followed to its logical conclusion, such an argument would require the reelection of President Roosevelt because he has already held three terms, Mr. Willkie added.
Too much experience
He said:
No one has ever said as much experience as Mr. Roosevelt and I hope no one ever again has as much.
Mr. Willkie, making a statewide tour on behalf of his slate of convention delegates at the April 4 primary, spent the remainder of his speaking time criticizing anti-Willkie forces which claim he “is in league with President Roosevelt.”