Unlike the Republican outlook of last fortnight, the pre-convention prospects of the Democratic candidates bore little relation to the votes publicly committed to them. Early this week, the candidates (other than Stevenson) lined up thus:
Averell Harriman was making no significant gains in the early running at Chicago. His chief behind-the-scenes backer, President Truman, was discouraged and willing to turn in other directions.
Estes Kefauver had the most committed delegates (251½) and almost nothing else. His trading position for the vice-presidential nomination was fair.
Richard Russell decreased his slim chance last week when, in...