Ain't Saying

The subject of Harry Truman's 1952 intentions came up again at his weekly press conference. The President wasn't saying, just acting deliberately mysterious. It has become an unprofitable line of inquiry and a stale joke, but both sides went through with it.

What about General Eisenhower's plans, then? the President was asked. When Ike was appointed to SHAPE, was there any understanding as to how long the job would last? The President flushed slightly and said there was not. Is the general a Democrat or Republican? 'Grinning archly, the President suggested that the best way to find out would be to ask the general himself. "You told us at one time that you took Eisenhower at his word when he said he would never run for President.. ." a reporter began. The President, breaking in abruptly, told the reporter not to use the word "never." Eisenhower had told him in January 1948 that he would not run for President in 1948; that was as far as the President went; he had not discussed politics with Eisenhower since.*

A visiting reporter for the Macon (Ga.) Telegraph, with a great show of innocence and a grits-and-gravy drawl, said: "Mr. President, this is my first conference. My impression about you is that you look a lot younger than I thought you did." The President rocked back on his heels and let out a real belly laugh. The Southerner pressed his advantage quickly, "Would you say you are in better shape now than when you first became President?"

Still laughing, the President said proudly that he was. He was still young enough to make a good race, he said. Then he paused deliberately, and added coyly that he meant a foot race.

* Not the way the transcript reads for a press conference Dec. 22, 1949, more than a year after the 1948 election. The President was asked: "Do you feel sure that he [Ike] is not a candidate for 1952 as he was not in 1948?" The President replied that General Eisenhower had said so, and his word was good.

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