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The Promise. Early last week, on the eve of Erhard's departure for the U.S., Adenauer assured him that no decision on the chancellorship would be taken in his absence. Same day, Adenauer once again promised the Christian Democratic Executive Committee that he would run in the presidential election "unless new developments force me to reconsider." Less than 48 hours later Adenauer discovered some "new developments." What were they? The Geneva talks—which to the naked eye had not changed a bit. Wrote Adenauer to top Christian Democratic brass: "If the Geneva conference does produce some success, we will have to reckon with a long series of additional international meetings and this will demand on our behalf extreme watchfulness. If Geneva ends in stalemate, the ensuing situation will be even more difficult and dangerous. In view of these considerations, I cannot assume the responsibility of abandoning my post in such a critical phase." Friends added that with the death of John Foster Dulles, Adenauer had come to consider himself indispensable in resisting fatal Western concessions to the Russians.
As the news of Adenauer's change of mind raced through the Bundestag, Christian Democrats met behind closed doors, in anger and confusion. Summoned to explain himself, Adenauer faced the party's 270-man parliamentary delegation and unconsciously revealed part of his hand by suddenly launching into a diatribe against Erhard. Said Adenauer: "Herr Erhard . . . does not have sufficient experience in foreign policy matters. If you give a man a few brushes, a pot of paint and an easel, this does not make him an artist."
Deputy after Deputy pleaded with Adenauer to reconsider. Eugen Gerstenmaier, president of the Bundestag, said bluntly: "Herr Chancellor, none of your arguments sound convincing." Rasped Adenauer: "If you don't like my decision, you are free to elect another Chancellor."
Up for Pope. In the end, without a recorded vote, the Deputies swallowed their distaste and lamely pledged "complete confidence" in Adenauer, though complaining privately that they had been treated like "lackeys." The damage was not that easily ended: Adenauer had proved his power but at the expense of his prestige. Overnight, throughout West Germany, Adenauer's popularity fell. Many accused him of downgrading both the presidency and the chancellorship by his autocratic actions. "Disgraceful," cried Berlin's Socialist Mayor Willy Brandt. Even his chosen heir. Finance Minister Etzel, informed that Adenauer was now thinking of asking him to run for President, irately snapped: "Next thing you know, Adenauer is going to nominate me for Pope."