the state level.73 He pledged to cut spending, maintain tax rates, and keep a balanced

budget in the face of a mounting fiscal crisis. He explicitly rejected federal grants-in-

aid, which he saw as the key to federal regimentation of state governments. He also

argued that Social Security had failed to meet the needs of the aged and pledged to

find a permanent, state-level solution to provide an acceptable level of benefits to the

elderly.74 The New York Times noted that Dewey, ever the champion of federalism,

had made a "persuasive statement of his political philosophy and the assurance of

continued good housekeeping."75

 Dewey's new program, not as inventive as his past agendas, was a far cry from

his earlier campaigns as a "New Deal Republican." In New York, his public face was

very conservative, reflecting both the experience of the 1948 campaign and the

tenuous position of the state party. On February 27, the state GOP met and decided to

begin its fall campaign immediately, citing the number of state offices up for grabs

and the potential challenge from the Democrats.7 As the legislature came to a close in

late March, some Republicans contended that it was highly possible that the

Democrats would sweep the state and national offices and gain control of both houses

of the assembly.7 In April, leaders of various county parties, with the backing of

National Committeeman J. Russell Sprague, began a Draft Dewey movement to

convince the governor to seek a third term. They reasoned that the GOP's chances

were better with a proven leader and known commodity heading the ticket.78


3 New York Times, 2 January 1950.

74 New York Times, 5 January 1950.

75 New York Times, 7 January 1950.

76 New York Times, 28 January 1950.

7 New York Times, 26 March 1950.

8 New York Times, 2 April 1950.