DEMOCRAT NOMINATIONS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22457, 29 June 1936, Page 8

DEMOCRAT NOMINATIONS

The nominating convention at Philadelphia has chosen the Democrat candidates in accordance with expectation Mr. Roosevelt for President, Mr. Garner for VicePresident. For both of them the second-term tradition has served to make the choice virtually certain and unanimous, but the very thorough organisation of procedure, including a prolonged and tumultuous acclaiming of the candidates, indicates a wish to impress the country with their merits. Of greater interest, however, are the party platform adopted by the convention and Mr. Roosevelt's speech in acceptance of nomination. These manifest a tactful caution in avoiding specific promises of legislation. The momentous constitutional issues raised by judgments of the Federal Supreme Court on the New Deal are passed: over almost without mention, although these issues were lately understood to be regarded as crucial. Instead of a forthright assertion of federal rights to direct a national solving of social and economic problems, a solution of these is to be sought " through legislation within the Constitution," although the Administration " will seek such a clarifying amendment as may be necessary to make the desired legislation effective." A similar resort to indefinite generalities marks each item of the platform, and Mr. Roosevelt's speech is unexpectedly remarkable for its lack of the challenging note present in 1932. Evidently his years of office have made him gravely aware of difficulties not then envisaged, and he hesitates to do more than forecast a programme in vague terms. The Democrat party managers are confessedly aware that it is one thing to organise a spectacular nomination and another to win the election. They will probably produce a more detailed policy within the next few days. After that it will be too late, as by September, according to general opinion, the popular vote is " frozen."