Stokes: Second place stirs hopefuls in GOP race
Backers capitalize on Stassen’s vote
By Thomas L. Stokes, Scripps-Howard staff writer
Washington –
The race for the Republican vice-presidential nomination has opened up again and sponsors of a whole assembly of hopefuls have begun to embroider the qualifications of their candidates.
This has come about by selection of Governor Earl Warren of California as keynoters of the Republican Convention which, under long-established custom, is regarded as a [] to nomination for either first or second place. The broad-shouldered Californian had been linked generally as a running mate for Governor Thomas E. Dewey of New York.
Champions of LtCdr. Harold Stassen, ex-Governor of Minnesota, were among the first to seize the opening to push him forward as vice-presidential candidate. They capitalized upon his recent victory in the presidential preference primary in Nebraska and his placing ahead of Wendell L. Willkie in the Wisconsin primary, despite the fact that he could appear personally.
Brace of youngsters
A Dewey-Stassen ticket would be a brace of youngsters. The former was 42 in March; the latter was 37 only a few days ago.
The Midwest is now regarded as the hunting ground for a vice-presidential candidate. Ex-Governor Stassen fulfills that geographical qualification.
His chief claim, beyond his record as three-time Governor of Minnesota, would be his attraction to those – Republicans as well as independent voters – who are for a strong post-war international organization to keep the peace. He campaigned for a specific plan of post-war organization before he left for the Navy.
His nomination, it is argued, would strengthen the ticket to meet the administration’s emphasis on post-war international collaboration, and the young, forceful man would be effective as a campaigner.
Others mentioned
Another Midwestern governor who has been making the most active national campaign for the presidential nomination, Ohio Governor John W. Bricker, also has a high rating among the bookmakers as a running mate for Governor Dewey, Nebraska Governor Dwight Griswold also has his eyes on second place on the ticket.
Some observers are inclined to think Republicans might go to the House or Senate for a vice-presidential candidate because of their stress on cooperation between the President and Congress. Mentioned in this category is Rep. Everett Dirksen (R-IL), one of the able and vigorous younger members of the House who is conducting a whirlwind campaign for the presidential nomination, though creating no sensation so far.
Another being talked of is Rep. Charles Halleck (R-IN), chairman of the Republican Congressional Campaign Committee, who nominated Mr. Willkie at the 1940 convention.
