The Pittsburgh Press (August 1, 1944)
Dewey calls Smith America’s Hitler
Charges isolationist with Bricker smear
Springfield, Illinois (UP) –
Governor Thomas E. Dewey opened his Republican presidential campaign in Illinois today with a charge that Gerald L. K. Smith, America First leader, was a race-baiting rabble-rouser comparable to Adolf Hitler and was seeking to “smear” Ohio Governor John W. Bricker, the GOP vice-presidential candidate.
Governor Dewey assailed Mr. Smith here in a brief comment on the announcement that the latter’s America First Party had nominated Smith for President and Governor Bricker for Vice President. The report got Governor Dewey’s earliest attention when he arrived here before noon on a campaign organization swing which will lead him to St. Louis tomorrow.
Columbus, Ohio (UP) –
Governor John W. Bricker, Republican vice-presidential nominee, said the action of the America First group in nominating him as the running mate to Gerald L. K. Smith in Detroit yesterday was “ridiculous.”
“I shall not permit my name to be used in any such connection,” Governor Bricker said, although he did not specify how he would prevent the America First group from using his name.
Governor and Mrs. Bricker left today for St. Louis to attend the GOP Governors’ Conference tomorrow and Thursday.