National Affairs 1948: Independence Day Truman Elected

THE NATION Independence Day

The little old voter fooled everybody.

The experts thought they had him analyzed, charted, taped and ready for delivery. But the independent voter apparently wasn't telling anybody anything. This week he went to the polls and cast his secret ballot. In Illinois, a victorious Democratic candidate for the Senate, Paul Douglas, declared: "This is a people's victory." He was right.

Why had the voters chosen Harry Truman and given the Democrats sweeping control of both Senate and House? For a number of reasons, not the least of which was little old Harry Truman.

The President had fought a single-handed fight without parallel in U.S. history. He did it all himself, after Democratic liberal and labor leaders had tried their best to depose him. He had plugged and pounded his way across the country. He had a kind of self-induced fervor which roused the admiring cry of "Pour it on, Harry!"

Harry Truman was now the absolute boss of a resurgent Democratic Party. Republicans might not be able to stand it. But the Republic could.