POLITICS: Ike, Where Are You?

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Last summer, the men behind the Eisen-hower-for-President campaign were supremely confident. Once Ike agreed to accept, they said, neither Taft nor gloom of night could stop his nomination. "We don't need any organizations or managers," said former Senator Harry Darby of Kansas. "The only question is the general's availability." By October, the Ikemen had conceded the need for organization. But as late as December, the campaign manager, Massachusetts Senator Henry Cabot Lodge Jr., was still calm. Said he: "There's plenty of time."

While the Eisenhower men were thus expressing confidence, Ohio's Senator Robert A. Taft and his managers and organizations were stumping around the U.S. scooping up pledged delegates. By January, the Ike forces decided that the "only question" had better be answered quickly. With considerable transatlantic furor, they brought forth an announcement: Ike is a Republican; he will accept the nomination, if offered. But it was soon apparent that the magic words had not produced the desired effect. There was no great G.O.P. swing toward Ike, although he continued to be an overwhelming favorite among independent voters.

Last week the Eisenhower strategists surveyed a Republican scene that was not at all what they wanted to see. Bob Taft was touring the country, speaking out on issues, and Republicans were listening; Ike was an ocean away, and all his supporters had was a collection of statements he made two and three years ago. The top Ike leaders came to a painful decision: the general must come back to the U.S. by May 1 and campaign, as a full-fledged candidate, in civilian clothes. If he doesn't, only a political miracle can get him the nomination. They sent that word off to Ike, and perched on the edges of their chairs, awaiting an answer.