My elections – by Harold Werner Rubin

Harold Werner Rubin reflects on a lifetime of elections

I was 21 in time to vote for Harry Truman. He had not expected to win that election. A little man called Thomas Dewey was his Republican apponent. Mr Dewey’s distinction was he looked like the male figure on a wedding cake. I do not recall hearing of Dewey after that election. Truman surprised everyone by winning and doing a good job while in office.

My next election was the combined package of General Eisenhower and Richard Nixon, a Republican ticket.

Until he let himself be selected as the Republican candidate, people did not know which way this rather empty hero would swing. Most vice presidents more or less mark time in office, Nixon worked at trying to prepare himself for higher office. I need not say how he succeeded.

When the two parties were tempting the war hero to declare himself as a candidate, I had met the wife of a theatrical legend. A grand dame, Mrs Vinton Freedley. She had enlisted my services to find a Manhattan apartment for a unique trio. Herself, Mr Freedley and their maid. The flat when found would need 3 large bedrooms. No further explanation was given.

One day, Mrs Freedley was visiting my little office. Eisenhower had chosen to go with the Republicans. She was ecstatic. She told me she had known the General when he was attending West Point (the military academy), he a cadet, she a debutante. She said he had been a very dull young man and had not shown much change with maturation.

Never one to side with Republicans or Tories I asked my lady why was she was so pleased at his nomination. She paused and looked my 6 foot plus slowly up and down, and said, “You are so young”.

A new election is soon to be upon us. Will the monster and the nonentity be selected to poison the polls another time?

Mr Biden has not shown much brawn so far. The first of Miss Harris is impressive. Would that she proves herself an equal and makes something of that blighted office.