Food for Thought

Ever since V-J day, professional politicos had been padding softly behind General Dwight D. Eisenhower. His tremendous reputation, unencumbered by political liabilities, his wonderful nickname, his poise, tact, and amazing popularity made him the perfect presidential candidate. As a professional soldier he had no political commitments. He could run on either ticket.* But no matter how much applause he stirred up, the General consistently, calmly, sometimes humorously denied all political ambition.

Nevertheless, after he addressed the C.I.O. convention at Atlantic City last week, many a politico edged a little closer. When C.I.O. President Philip Murray said: "I would like you to know that every man & woman in this convention is your friend," hundreds in the hall decided that he really meant: "Eisenhower for President." And when the General addressed a group of New York business leaders that evening, it was possible to say that he was acting like a candidate at last. Said he: "All your brains and wealth cannot produce a single bushel of corn without hands to do it. . . ."

The General made no outward sign that he had changed his mind about politics. But many a Democrat thought him the only man who could save the party in 1948; many a Republican who could cheer for neither New York's Tom Dewey nor Ohio's Robert Taft began chomping and glaring jealously. Ike might find it hard to slap down the presidential bee.

*Ike was born in Texas, which is solidly Democratic, spent 20 years in Kansas, now a Republican state.

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