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Show INDEPENDENT VOTERS WILL DECIDE The stage is now set for what may be the most momentous Presidential campaign in recent history. As it looks from this point in time and space, it will be a battle of personalities. On the major concern of American today, national defense, there is no discernible dis-cernible difference between the pronouncements of the two party platforms, or between those of the two Presidential candidates. On domestic issues, both platforms are the usual attempts of politicians to please everybody. It was a wise man who said that "platforms in politics and railroad cars, are built to get in on, not to stand on." As usual, the candidates will make their own platforms. The issue, then, comes down to the personalities person-alities of Mr. Roosevelt and Mr. Willkie. In the matter of personal magnetism and charm there is little to choose between them. Both are forceful force-ful men and good fighters. Each has handicaps of which his opponents will make the most. Mr. Roosevelt's chief handicap is the reluctance of those bred in the American tradition, in and out of his party, to break with the time-honored belief that no President should seek or accept a third term. Mr. Willkie's successful career was chiefly as the head of a great electric power company, a fact which condemns him in the eyes of those who hold great corporations to be enemies of the people. It will not be hide-bound partisans who decide de-cide the election. As is always the case, the next President will be elected by the votes of the great body of independent voters who follow no party line. It is far too early to guess how they will go. |
