The Press: Five to One

Republican Nominee Dwight Eisenhower has more newspaper support than any presidential candidate in U.S. history. Last week Editor & Publisher, having polled the 1,773 U.S. dailies, reported that returns from 918 (representing 62% of the 54 million daily newspaper circulation) showed papers running 5 to 1 for Ike. The vote:

¶ 690 dailies representing 81% of the total circulation covered are behind Ike v. a peak of 79% for Dewey in 1948. ¶ 142 dailies representing 9.5% of the total circulation are backing Democrat Adlai Stevenson v. Truman's peak of 10%.

The biggest swing to Eisenhower is in traditionally Democratic Southern papers (TIME, Aug. 11). For example, last week the Columbus (Ga.) Enquirer (circ. 22,-196) announced for Eisenhower, the first time in the paper's 124-year history that it has not backed a Democrat.