The Lincoln Times

Republican Leaders Are Confident Ike Will Run

WASHINGTON— A big majority of Republican leaders now seem to be convinced President Eisenhower will run again.

The Associated Press today completed a poll of 134 Republican governors, state chairmen, national committeemen or national committeewomen.

They were asked: "Do you believe Eisenhower will run again?"

This is their answer:

Yes 77

Yes, if . . . 19

No. . . . 17

No 17

Don't know or no comment . 21

The "yes, if" classification is for those who said, yes, if he has recovered sufficiently from his heart attack of last September.

A follow-up question also was asked: "If not, whom do you consider the most likely to win the GOP nomination?"

Since most of the politicians already had said they thought the President would run again, not many cared to speculate on what will happen if he doesn't.

Ten said they think Vice President Richard Nixon has the best chance if Eisenhower drops out.

Other suggestions included:

Sen. William F. Knowland (Calif.). Chief Justice Earl Warren. Secretary of the Treasury George Humphrey. Rep. Joe Martin. (Mass.). Sen. Leverett Saltonstall (Mass.). Sen. Everett Dirksen (Ill.). Gov. Christian Herter (Mass.). Gov. William G. Stratton, (Ill.). former Gov. Thomas E. Dewey (N. Y.). United Nations representative Henry Cabot Lodge, Jr.. and Harold Stassen, a special assistant to the President.

But, mostly, the Republicans pinned their hopes on Eisenhower running again.

Some sample quotes:

Mrs. Kathryn K. Meloney. Wyoming national committeewoman: "I'm confident he'll run again. He won't let the nation down."

Perry Compton, Missouri state chairman: He will run and "will win re-election handily. He is too good a soldier not to continue assisting his country when it needs help."

L. Judson Morhouse, New York state chairman: "Eisenhower will be re-elected by the greatest margin of states since 1936"when Franklin D. Roosevelt rolled over Alf Landon.

Some conceded their predictions were based on little more than a hunch.

Mrs. Raymond W. Wheeler. Massachusetts committeewoman, said. "Yes, on a guess, because Leonard Hall (the GOP national chairman) looks so happy."

Others felt it still is too early for predictions.

"Anyone who tries to answer those questions at this time," Gov. Arthur B. Langlie of Washington said. "is entering God's realm. and I don't care to speculate."

If any of the politicians felt that some voters may hesitate to vote for a man who has had a heart attack. they didn't mention it. And Gov. Joseph B. Johnson of Vermont said he was sure it wouldn't make any difference.

"It begins to look lately as though Eisenhower will run again," Johnson said. "If he decides to run again. I don't think the American people will consider his heart condition as a liability.

The voters will accept the President's word that he is well enough to handle the job."

Most of the 17 who don't think Eisenhower will run again preferred to remain anonymous.

Among those who didn't mind having their names used was Gov. J. Bracken Lee of Utah, an outspoken critic of the administration. Lee said he doesn't think Ike will run, and that he favors Knowland.

N. Bryant James, chairman of the Louisiana State Central Committee. said:

"As much as I don't think Eisenhower will run again." He picks Nixon as the most likely candidate.

Of those who don't know, Rep. Clarence Brown of Ohio pretty well sums up the sentiment:

"Who knows? Right now I don't think even the President does."