Mr. Roosevelt as Candidate
The first step pointing to the nomination of Mr. Roosevelt as Democratic candidate for the Presidency was taken at Washington last Saturday, when the Democratic National Committee passed a resolution earnestly soliciting him to " continue as the great world humanitarian leader." This amounts to a direct open invitation to him to run for a fourth term; if he should decide to stand he would
unquestionably be chosen as the party's nominee at the Demo- cratic Convention in July. So far the President has said nothing to indicate his intentions. While it has been said that a fourth term is an unheard of thing in American politics, it is equally true that a third term was unheard of till 1940, when Mr. Roosevelt once more stood, and was once more elected. There was a world crisis then, which explained his decision. There is a world
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crisis now, which equally demands his strong hand at the helm. Obstructive political influences have been working against him in Congress, lately all the more virulently because his opponents had one eye on the elections. Some of these manoeuvres can hardly have added to the prestige of their authors, though to some extent they have probably served their major aim, which is to divert attention from the conduct of the war, where Mr. Roosevelt is supreme, to domestic matters, where he can be more easily attacked. The resolu- tion passed by the Democratic National Committee included the words " knowing that our Allies are praying with us." Responsible people among the Allies will not be indiscreet enough to take sides with any American party, but they cannot fail to see the value of enabling the man who has led his country so powerfully, and with such broadness of view, in the war, to complete his work by taking, an active part in the peace. A personal relationship, more- over, of inestimable value, with the heads of other States has been built up over a term of years. That cannot be bequeathed with the White House.
