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Show PUIJLIC OPINION STILL COUNTS When the national conventions meet, as they will shortly, to choose the nominees for President and Vice-president of the United States, one question will he upper-most in the minds of the delegates: "Who can win?" Neither Republicans nor Democrats will convene with any purpose to nominate a loser. No matter what the personal preferences of delegates may be, nor what statesmanlike considerations may be uttered from the rostrum or written in the platform, the main idea will be to nominate 'a winner. ' The sentiment of the people indicated in con versation, in letters, in surveys and news reports , , cah still be decisive if it is plain enough. Your ex- I pression of opinion will help to make that sentiment ! felt. Your questions to others will help them to form I opinions. Here are some questions about any candi- j date that may be worth asking: j Does his background suggest that he will put on i brakes against spending and piling up more debt and ; taxes? Does he clearly stand for the true principles of American liberty, or will he continue to drift toward Socialism and government control of everything? Is he speaking plainly about his views, or is he i passing out nice-sounding generalities? 1 As between foreign and domestic policies, which does he consider to be the dog, and which the tail? Has he shown the courage to take stands that may be unpopular? Has he the kind of experience in government that will permit him to move sure-footedly through the vast maze of Federal bureaucracy? Is he being judged because he has or does not have the surface of glamor, or because his qualities of statesmanship have been fully proven? Are his political positions taken always in behalf be-half of the whole people, or in response to the pressures pres-sures of. particular groups? What is his vote-getting record? And if nominated, nom-inated, will he know how to plan and carry out a vigorous campaign for his party? N Most people know the answers they prefer. Measure the candidates you have in mind against these questions, and your answers. Ask questions and talk! All sorts of sentiment which the sensitive political politi-cal leaders will feel can be built up between now and July. Let's be sure that both parties choose men who truly represent the aspirations of their adherents, so that the 1952 campaign can decide what kind of country the majority of Americans want! |