Basic Shift

The Great Depression made a minority out of the Republican Party--and kept it that way for many a year. In November 1951, the Gallup poll found that 37% of the voters thought the nation's economic future was safest in the hands of the Democrats, while only 29% believed that prosperity could best be had under the Republicans. This public attitude in 1952 was outweighed by Dwight Eisenhower's personal popularity, but in that campaign the most effective Democratic slogan, "Don't let 'em take it away," harked back to Depression memories. As late as November 1955, the Gallup poll recorded that 39% of the voters still thought the Democrats could do a better job of keeping the U.S. prosperous, against 37% who answered Republican.

Last week the Republicans moved ahead on the Gallup question: "Which party can best keep America prosperous?" The breakdown: Republican 38%, Democratic 34% (no difference or no opinion 28%). This indicates a basic shift in voter atti tudes, which is the Republican Party's best hope for 1956-if Ike does not run.

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