A Purebred No

As the campaign season progresses, the political varieties of "yes," "no" and "maybe" grow and multiply, and multicolored hybrids burst out all over the garden. Last week one of the leading prospects for the Democratic presidential nomination tried to produce his own home-grown species of the purebred "no." Illinois' Governor Adlai Stevenson, who was the Truman Democrats' favorite favorite son, said it as explicitly as he could: "In view of my prior commitment to run for governor, and my desire and the desire of many who have given me their help and confidence in our unfinished work in Illinois, I could not accept the nomination for any other office this summer."

Politicians and pundits immediately began to pick at Stevenson's statement and make slides for closer study under their political microscopes. One thought that "this summer" could be taken as a hint of a short summer. Another pointed out that "could not" is not "will not." The Chicago amateurs running the national Stevenson-for-President committee announced that they would not close up shop, but would stand by for developments. Professional Jack Arvey, Illinois' Democratic National Committeeman, said he is still for Stevenson, thinks his man "should & would accept" a draft. Even Harry Truman, who had displayed his own brand of purebred no only last month, seemed far from convinced. At his flood conference in Omaha, the President shook Stevenson's hand, gave him a big grin and said: "Adlai, I don't believe it."

But there was every indication that Adlai Stevenson's no really meant no. Despite the pressure turned on by well-wishers from all over the U.S., he feels that he is committed to run for re-election as governor, that he still has a job to do in Illinois, that he owes a first loyalty to the friends he has persuaded to accept public office during his term at Springfield. He is determined not to let the state slip back under the control of ex-Governor Dwight Green's Republican machine. Besides, he is not certain that he is ready for the presidency, is not sure that he could win against a Republican candidate like Eisenhower. His "this summer" phrase seemed calculated only to leave the door open for an entrance into the presidential picture in 1956, after another term as governor of Illinois.

By week's end, most politicos in Washington were convinced that Stevenson can be counted out for 1952. While there will still be talk about a draft, the politically wise know that a nominee is rarely drafted unless he is willing to sign the induction order himself.

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