The Pittsburgh Press (September 24, 1944)
Dewey may reply to FDR tomorrow
Starts homeward trip after coast visit
Aboard Dewey special campaign train (UP) – (Sept. 23)
Governor Thomas E. Dewey sped east tonight after a whirlwind campaign through 11 politically-important states whose combined electoral votes will be a major factor in his bid for the Presidency.
As the GOP nominee boarded his special train for the return trip home from Los Angeles, he appeared confident of victory in November and was reported “more than optimistic” at results of his drive through the West.
Speaks Monday night
Mr. Dewey will deliver only one major speech on the trip east – in Oklahoma City Monday night – but his associates say it will be “full of fight.” He may take the opportunity to reply to President Roosevelt, who formally opened his campaign tonight.
The New York Governor spent 22 days consulting with Republican leaders and representatives of labor, farmers, cattlemen and businessmen in Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Michigan, Iowa, Nebraska, Wyoming, Montana, Idaho, Washington, Oregon and California.
Organizes groups
His purpose was to organize the groups behind his campaign and at the same time gather material for future speeches. The states have a total of 131 electoral votes and many are considered “doubtful.”
Mr. Dewey’s major argument in six nationwide speeches and numerous back platform appearances had been, “It’s time for a change.” He argued the Roosevelt administration had failed to solve the nation’s problems despite more power and more money than any previous administration in history.