Three leading faculty members were unanimous last night in de-emphasizing the importance of Estes Kefauver's resounding victory over Adlai Stevenson in the Minnesota Democratic primary last Tuesday.
Samuel H. Beer, professor of Government, Seymour Harris '20, professor of Economics, and Holt B. Westerfield, instructor in Government, all agreed that, while the Kentucky Senator's victory was a distinct letdown to Stevenson supporters, it did not portend a trend in the Democratic party.
"It is a great setback for Stevenson," Beer, who is chairman of the Massachusetts Americans for Democratic Action, said. "The danger is that if Kefauver is not nominated, it will mean a crazy convention which might go through around 108 ballots." Beer added that the Minnesota decision might lead the Democrats to choose a dark horse candidate. If the July convention fails to come to an early decision, Beer said, "someone might do a Willkie."
Harris concurred with Beer that Stevenson's chances were dimmed by the results from Minnesota. "But," Harris added, "he will have to be beaten in the Florida and California primaries before Stevenson is out of the race." Stevenson is still the strongest candidate for the nomination, Harris said, "Kefauver's chances aren't too good."
Agreeing that Kefauver's recent gains in New Hampshire and Minnesota were serious setbacks for Stevenson, Holt B. Westerfield contended that the results were not decisive. "The tale will not be told until the convention itself," Westerfield said. "The odds are still considerably against Kefauver's getting the nomination. Stevenson is still out in front."
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