WEBVTT 1 00:00:41.020 --> 00:00:55.200 For some months past, many of the leaders and members of organized labor and double-services have suggested and owed the lobby of candidates for the nomination for Vice-President of the United States on the Republican ticket. 2 00:00:55.200 --> 00:00:58.780 To these fine Americans, I shall be forever grateful. 3 00:00:59.420 --> 00:01:10.940 But I have said for many months also that I have not sought the Vice-Presidential nomination, and I have not authorized anyone to conduct a campaign for that nomination on my behalf. 4 00:01:11.720 --> 00:01:25.200 However, any American in public life in the United States today would be less than honest if they did not say they would be greatly complimented by such a very gracious and generous suggestion. 5 00:01:36.520 --> 00:01:48.780 Keynote speech was filled with half-truths, distortions, and some outright misstatements and falsehoods. 6 00:01:48.780 --> 00:02:00.920 It indicates that we're going to have a rough campaign. Let me make my answer to that quickly. We'll meet it. 7 00:02:01.520 --> 00:02:05.500 What are the untruths that Mr. Clements voiced? 8 00:02:05.540 --> 00:02:14.000 Well, all you have to do is look at what he said about small business. All you would have to do is read his statement about the prosperity of the country. 9 00:02:16.140 --> 00:02:24.020 If anyone should say that we have prosperity today, I don't know what tint he's wearing in his glasses. 10 00:02:26.460 --> 00:02:43.700 Mr. Lewis, could you say a word about your discussion? 11 00:02:43.700 --> 00:03:02.560 I called on President Truman, the Vice-Presidental of our organization, very loudly to present my compliments and to commend him for the courageous step that he has just recently taken in coming on behind Mr. Governor Averill Harriman for the presidency. 12 00:03:03.280 --> 00:03:20.780 I think his action is most timely and in the interest of all Americans. And I wanted to tell him that I echo the sentiments he expressed and sincerely hope for the nomination and the election of Governor Harriman as President of the United States. 13 00:03:21.380 --> 00:03:32.240 Mr. Lewis, Mr. Truman has also said that if Mr. Stevenson should be nominated, he would support his candidacy and his campaign as well. Would you subscribe also to that, sir? 14 00:03:33.180 --> 00:03:52.240 That would, Mr. Truman undoubtedly was speaking his own convictions for and I'd have to take that under involvement. As a matter of fact, I think that if Mr. Stevenson is nominated by the Democratic Party, that the party might as well send over to the Eisenhower administration a certificate of election and admit that he's in by default. 15 00:03:56.720 --> 00:04:08.340 Under those circumstances, I can't see as of to this date any valid reason why I should waste any time in promoting Mr. Stevenson's candidacy if in the event he becomes a nominee. 16 00:04:08.340 --> 00:04:15.700 Do you understand, John L., that I'm speaking as a Democrat and an organization Democrat and I stay with the party and you don't have to do that? 17 00:04:15.840 --> 00:04:17.620 Well, ha ha ha. 18 00:04:20.600 --> 00:04:21.200 Both rolling? 19 00:04:22.500 --> 00:04:23.060 Roll them. 20 00:04:28.120 --> 00:04:33.980 Governor, rumors of your imminent withdrawal from the nomination of Flying Thick and Fast, could we have your comment on that? 21 00:04:33.980 --> 00:04:49.540 Well, I think they've been killed. I've killed them this morning and Benefield, my director, has killed it. They're malicious, untruth and the man who got them out knew they were untruth because I've stated a number of times the last few weeks that I'm in this to the end. 22 00:04:49.760 --> 00:05:01.560 I believe I can win, but I've in it win, lose or draw because I'm fighting for principles that I believe in and if I can't save the Democratic Party on a national basis, for those principles I'm going to save it in New York State. 23 00:05:01.560 --> 00:05:12.560 We cannot have any part of moderation in any of the programs that we have stood for throughout the years. We've got to go forward, seize the new opportunities with new vision and new determination. 24 00:05:13.940 --> 00:05:24.100 And if I'm going to stand on that position as the governor of the state of New York, as a Democrat or as a candidate, as long as I am able to express myself. 25 00:05:24.140 --> 00:05:25.220 Under those circumstances. 26 00:05:31.640 --> 00:05:32.820 Hi, Governor. 27 00:05:33.320 --> 00:05:33.520 Hi. 28 00:05:33.520 --> 00:05:33.860 How are you? 29 00:05:35.520 --> 00:05:36.560 Now, what do you... 30 00:05:40.040 --> 00:05:56.400 Well, I've been very much pleased by the support I've had and encouragement of so many old friends, many of whom encouraged me to undertake this greatest of political responsibilities. 31 00:05:56.400 --> 00:06:05.060 And also I've been very much pleased and gratified by the support of many new friends here in Chicago. 32 00:06:05.860 --> 00:06:08.200 Many new friends in spite of severe pressures. 33 00:06:08.960 --> 00:06:18.560 In the last few hours the states of Arkansas, New Jersey, of Pennsylvania, of Michigan have come out on my behalf. 34 00:06:19.640 --> 00:06:22.200 I've said nothing unkind about any competitor. 35 00:06:22.200 --> 00:06:29.460 My fight is against the Republican administration and not against any of my fellow Democrats. 36 00:06:52.860 --> 00:06:59.560 I'm very happy to say that the New Jersey delegation has just concluded its meeting. 37 00:07:00.240 --> 00:07:03.900 We have 36 votes to cast on the first ballot. 38 00:07:04.740 --> 00:07:10.140 The New Jersey delegation will cast the 36 votes for Adlai Stevenson. 39 00:07:10.800 --> 00:07:19.400 And Adlai Stevenson wants to express his delight and gratification and his gratitude to you, Bob Minor, and his admiration for you and all of your delegation. 40 00:07:19.400 --> 00:07:25.680 Gentlemen, just one more question. Have you either any comment on the president, ex-president Truman's statement this morning? 41 00:07:25.820 --> 00:07:26.700 No, sir, I have no comment. 42 00:07:27.060 --> 00:07:27.700 No comment. 43 00:07:28.000 --> 00:07:31.900 There was a feeling of sadness, I understand, over there when he had his news conference. Do you share that? 44 00:07:32.380 --> 00:07:33.140 No comment. 45 00:08:04.680 --> 00:08:13.760 I'm sad to say that we have fewer friends in the world today than we ever had in the history of the United States of America. 46 00:08:13.760 --> 00:08:18.380 That's a tragic thing to say, but I fear it's true. 47 00:08:19.340 --> 00:08:23.900 Mr. Dulles one day gives his interpretation of neutralism. 48 00:08:24.920 --> 00:08:29.580 The next day, Mr. Eisenhower gives his interpretation of neutralism. 49 00:08:30.680 --> 00:08:36.820 The next day, the vice president of the United States gives his opinion of neutralism. 50 00:08:36.820 --> 00:08:42.820 And others in the Republican Party give their idea of neutralism. 51 00:08:44.340 --> 00:08:46.660 And confusion is confounded. 52 00:08:47.640 --> 00:08:56.160 And then a statement, a solemn statement comes from the White House that they all agree on neutralism. 53 00:08:56.760 --> 00:08:59.140 And let me say one other thing. 54 00:09:00.120 --> 00:09:03.300 They say nobody can beat their candidate. 55 00:09:04.640 --> 00:09:11.460 Well, maybe nobody can beat their candidate, but maybe somebody can beat their true candidate. 56 00:09:57.280 --> 00:10:02.740 The Michigan caucus has taken a preliminary poll. 57 00:10:02.740 --> 00:10:07.180 Which shows the following tally. 58 00:10:07.340 --> 00:10:10.560 And may I point out to you that these are half votes. 59 00:10:11.640 --> 00:10:18.820 63 for Stevenson, 22 for Harriman, and one for Symington. 60 00:10:19.460 --> 00:10:22.420 This is in accord with my own feelings. 61 00:10:22.420 --> 00:10:32.600 And I will urge that the Michigan support Stevenson and that it be made unanimous when the voting occurs in the convention. 62 00:10:53.780 --> 00:10:59.640 I think the press and the columnists have missed the point of what I am trying to do. 63 00:11:00.860 --> 00:11:15.860 My purpose was and still is to urge the Democratic convention to nominate a fighting candidate committed without reservations or evasions to the dynamic principles of the Democratic Party. 64 00:11:16.660 --> 00:11:19.600 Governor Stevenson is not that type of candidate. 65 00:11:19.600 --> 00:11:24.640 He cannot win the election by himself without a lot of help. 66 00:11:25.060 --> 00:11:42.560 Reasoned events prove that he likes the kind of fighting spirit that we need to win and keep the party from falling into the hands of a conservative minority group that would be content to act as caretakers under a Republican administration. 67 00:11:42.560 --> 00:11:50.480 There is nothing personal about my attitude toward Governor Stevenson. 68 00:11:52.220 --> 00:11:53.980 In fact I like him personally. 69 00:11:54.620 --> 00:12:01.680 I have not hesitated in the past to speak out when I considered it my duty to the people in the party to do so. 70 00:12:02.100 --> 00:12:07.500 I am now and have been speaking out before it is too late. 71 00:12:08.000 --> 00:12:08.580 That's all. 72 00:12:12.700 --> 00:12:26.880 Friends, Mrs. Roosevelt said that by endorsing Governor Harriman your plan was to get a real candidate for the convention. 73 00:12:27.200 --> 00:12:32.800 I am very fond of Mrs. Roosevelt and I don't want to get into the controversy with her but she is entirely in this. 74 00:12:33.180 --> 00:12:37.700 I have no such option to be around for Harriman and I shall continue that until the last dog dies. 75 00:12:38.940 --> 00:12:42.680 Mr. President, what kind of a candidate would you like to see in the convention? 76 00:12:44.540 --> 00:12:47.020 I think he would need the help of a known man from Missouri.