The Daily Alaska Empire

VANDENBERG LOOMING AS DARK HORSE
Eisenhower's Exit as Possible Candidate Starts New Political Talk
(BY JACK BELL)

WASHINGTON, Jan. 24.—(AP)—Gen. Eisenhower's abrupt exit from the field of Republican Presidential hopefuls started new talk of Senator Vandenberg (R-Mich) as a potential dark horse nominee today.

Senator Sparkman (D-Ala) told a reporter:

"It looks like Eisenhower's withdrawal clears the way for Taft and Dewey to run a dead heat and for some third man to capture the Republican nomination. My guess is that the third man will be Vandenberg, if he will take it."

The Michigan Senator has gone a long way toward removing himself from consideration. He has said that he is convinced no man ever is drafted for the nomination without his connivance and that he won't connive.

Vandenberg has observed however that no man could decline the nomination if it actually were thrust upon him.

Declines Comment

The Senator smilingly declined comment today on the statement by Eisenhower that "I could not accept the nomination even under the remote circumstances that it were tendered me."

Senator Robert A. Taft of Ohio, former Gov. Harold E. Stassen of Minnesota and Gov. Thomas E. Dewey of New York, announced candidates, were similarly silent.

The General's action seemed to leave a "draft Eisenhower" movement high and dry, but some die-hard backers refused to give up.

Leonard W. Finder, New Hampshire publisher, declared in a radio address last night the nation can still draft the General.

It was Finder to whom Eisenhower addressed the letter yesterday telling the voters to count him out.

Name On Oregon Ballot

Supporters in Oregon are going "right ahead" with plans to put his name on their State's Republican Primary Ballot, they said.

"This is a 'draft Eisenhower' movement and I still think he can be drafted," declared Peter Alford, Public Relations Representative of the group.

Eisenhower's consent is not necessary to place him on the Oregon ballot.