One for the Democrats?

Colorado Republicans, missing a golden opportunity, seem to be falling short in their efforts to take over the U.S. Senate place vacated by Democrat Edwin Johnson, who is running for governor. As of last week Democratic Candidate John Carroll, 53, a onetime cop and fingerprint expert, now a lawyer, appeared to be holding on to a lead of about 5 to 3 (as indicated by a recent poll) over Lieutenant Governor Gordon Allott, 47, the G.O.P. senatorial nominee.

John Carroll, who still carries the childhood nickname of "Jinx," has been called the most predictable man in Colorado politics (Vice President Nixon last week gave his version of Carroll's predictability by describing him as a "left-winger"). Liberal Carroll has made up his longtime feud with Conservative Ed Johnson, thereby hurdling one of the main obstacles to his election.

Republican Allott is honest and capable, but lacks Carroll's political glamour. He has long been a lone wolf in Colorado politics—e.g., he was the state's only big Stassen supporter in 1952, held out to the bitter end.

Colorado's battle lines are clearly drawn. Said Allott, early in his campaign: "The issue is clearly defined: Do we go back to what we had with Truman, or do we go ahead with Ike?" Carroll accepted Ike as the issue, has attacked the Administration's farm, reclamation and rural electrification policies with considerable effect. With the help he can expect to get from Big Ed Johnson, who is a shoo-in for governor, Jinx Carroll should live up to his nickname as far as Allott is concerned.