Thawing Out

Noting that "round-shouldered Raymond Clapper reported that the Midwest had only the 'mildest interest' in the Presidential race" (TIME, Jan. 29), General Hugh S. Johnson was ready for an argument last week. "Well," snorted he, "paunchy, red-faced Columnist Johnson doesn't agree with round-shouldered Ray."

Whatever the country's midwinter feeling was about the Presidential campaign, there was evidence last week that warmer weather would thaw out a lot of political ice. Floes from Presidential primaries quadrennially precede convention floods of politics.

No more complicated political system could be devised than U. S. Presidential primaries, which are held in 15 or 16 of the 48 States. In these primaries the people ostensibly select delegates who will go to the Party convention, there vote for the man they are "instructed" to nominate for President. These delegates are supposedly bound to keep on voting for The People's choice until he is nominated or hopelessly out of the race.* In most States, both parties are content to leave political maneuvering up to State conventions, let them pick what delegates they please to send to the national convention.

Six States hold primaries in April, eight in May. First Presidential primary is New Hampshire's, March 12. Up to last week, no Democratic Presidential candidate had filed in New Hampshire. The State's favorite son, Senator H. Styles Bridges, expected no opposition in the Republican voting.

Georgia furnished last week's biggest Democratic primary news. At Senator Walter George's suggestion, John Garner avowed his willingness to enter the primary. New Deal Governor E. D. Rivers, counted to swing his hand-picked delegates for Roosevelt, stayed in his shell. If he did call a primary, results would furnish the best Southern test of New Deal v. Old Deal Democrats.

Illinois' Bosses Kelly & Nash filed Franklin D. Roosevelt as a candidate in the April 9 primary. He has until Feb. 24 to disavow the filing. Thomas E. Dewey entered Illinois' Republican primary, where a sweeping victory would give any candidate top billing. Bob Taft was undecided. Arthur Vandenberg declined.

Oregon New Dealers last month quickly completed a 1,000-signature petition preliminary to putting Roosevelt on the ballot, May 17. Mr. Roosevelt's friends sent a furtive message last week asking that his name be withdrawn. The Oregon New Dealers told the messenger to go chase himself. Pitted against Roosevelt will be John N. Garner, who was filed by his Oregon manager, a crusty old purgee, ex-Governor Charles Henry Martin. Rather than go out and get the 1,000 signatures, he paid the $100 filing fee.

New Jersey's Boss Frank Hague was circulating petitions which would put a Third Term list of delegates on the ballot, including James H. R. Cromwell, newly appointed Minister to Canada.

* Of many flagrant violations of the spirit of the Presidential primary the case of North Carolina in 1920 is best known. The primary chose Hiram Johnson but only one delegate voted for him, even on the first ballot.

This file is automatically generated by a robot program, so reader's discretion is required.