CHOICE OF CANDIDATE

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 23 June 1928, Page 11

CHOICE OF CANDIDATE

LATE EDITION

FOR U.S. PRESIDENCY. DEMOCRAT NOMINEE. SMITH’S STRONG POSITION. (United Press Association—By Electric Telegrapn Copyright.) (Australian Press Association.) NEW YORK, June 21. Governor A E. Smith’s ascendancy for Democratic nomination as President lias now reached a stage when every indication points to his victory at the convention. Nothing but a political upheaval is likely now to prevent his nomination. Perhaps the most significant indication of this is the fact that Mr. McAdoo has announced that lie has not only withdrawn from the pre-conven-tion consideration, but will not even attend the convention. This tacit admission oi deieat is politically eloquent. Senator Reed’s candidature has failed to assume anything like importance; it cannot hinder the amazing strength and spontaneous popularity that is behind Mr. Smith’s candidature. Consequently Mr. Smith is not likely to have any difficulty in obtaining the necessary two-thirds majority oi the 1100 delegates on the early ballot. This does not mean that a fierce attack will not be made; the prohibition and anti-Roman Catholic groups derive strength from the fact that they are ostensibly in politics because of their convictions and not simply professionally. They will fight to the end for their “cause.” This fact is expected to produce, “fireworks” at the convention.

Tlie Democrats’ Vice-Presidential choice will probably be dictated by Mr. Smith’s forces, and it is inevitable that he will be a Western man. This is discernible in the fact that the managers for Mr. H. C. Hoover, the Republican Party’s candidate for the Presidency, have disclosed that during tlie campaign Mr. Hoover will make his principal fight in the east ; believing the west always Republican. .It is obvious that Mr. Smith’s strength lies in the large eastern cities, and that the Democrats must centre their fight in tlie west; therefore they must choose a Vice-President who will appeal to that section of the country. In the Democratic platform there will be a tremendous, biting condemnation of alleged corruption of Republican men in high office with large campaign expenses from tainted sources. Prohibition will produce a fight, but difficulties in the party will probably be overcome by a timely declaration for enforcement of the law. The Democrats will make a bid for the farmers’ support with an agricultural plank which make make staunch promises to the farmers. The tariff question will, of course, play its part, but though there may be open quarrelling and bitter speeches and the usual Warfare so characteristic of the Democratic Party when the convention meets, the debacle of 1924 at Madison Square Garden is not likely to be repeated.