From Washington Straight

The Knowland Decision

The post of majority or minority leader in the Senate is often an unhappy one. During the Truman regime, both Senator Scott Lucas of Illinois and Senator Ernest McFarland bit the political dust largely because they were responsible for furthering Truman’s legislative proposals. Senator Taft, with his selfless efficiency, whipped the Senate Republicans into line for Eisenhower measures which went against the grain of his personal convictions. Senator Knowland, whose views are much closer to Taft’s than to Eisenhower’s, inherited his leadership as the only Senate Republican with the exception of Styles Bridges who could round up enough GOP votes to get a fairly solid front in support of any Administration program. Bridges, who has held all the top offices, including the majority leadership, wanted no part in the business of coordinating 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue with Capitol Hill.

SJ

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Sam M. Jones

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The Knowland Decision

The post of majority or minority leader in the Senate is often an unhappy one. During the Truman regime, both Senator Scott Lucas of Illinois and Senator Ernest McFarland bit the political dust largely because they were responsible for furthering Truman’s legislative proposals. Senator Taft, with his selfless efficiency, whipped the Senate Republicans into line for Eisenhower measures which went against the grain of his personal convictions. Senator Knowland, whose views are much closer to Taft’s than to Eisenhower’s, inherited his leadership as the only Senate Republican with the exception of Styles Bridges who could round up enough GOP votes to get a fairly solid front in support of any Administration program. Bridges, who has held all the top offices, including the majority leadership, wanted no part in the business of coordinating 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue with Capitol Hill.