Is Dewey strong opponent? President declines to say
Mr. Roosevelt also refuses to answer query whether he’s found a running mate
Washington (UP) –
President Roosevelt was peppered with political questions at his news conference today, but wouldn’t give any information.
He said the answers probably would be evident sometime around next November – or maybe this month (the Democratic Convention meets July 19).
Meeting with reporters for the first time since the Republican Party nominated New York Governor Thomas E. Dewey for President, Mr. Roosevelt faced a barrage of political questions.
“Have you found a candidate for Vice President yet?” he was asked. This, the President said, sounded like an unfriendly question. He smiled, declined to answer it.
Not writing platform
Another reporter wanted to know what views Mr. Roosevelt, “as head of the Democratic Party,” had about the 1944 party platform. The President replied that he was not writing any platforms.
The question “Would you care to say whether you think Governor Dewey will be a strong opponent?” produced a roar of laughter in which Mr. Roosevelt joined.
Instead of answering, he said he was making notes for history on the procedure and methods of White House correspondents.
“Do you mean you don’t want to answer the question?” the reporter persisted. The President shook his head, chiding the reporter, a woman, for being a Pollyanna and a cheerful little girl.