Evening star., 1959-12-27

second place on the national
ticket. They said the Rookie
feller decision opens the way
for Mr.. Hslleck's nomination. |
/ Mr.. Halleck has said he
would be available for the vice
presidential nomination. He
recently completed a trip
through the West to introduce
himself to G. o. P. leaders.
SeatOn Is Possibility
Also mentioned as a poten-
tial candidate for the vice
presidency is Interior Secretary
Fred A. Seaton. In a state
ment, he said Gov. Rockefel-
ler's announcement confirms
the view that public opinion
is Overwhelmingly in favor of
Mr.. Nixon.
AS to his plans, Mr.. Seaton
said he was not a candidate |
"for Vice President, Governor
of Nebraska or anything else"
Secretary of Labor Mitchell,
another COP. vice presiden-
tial possibility, said:
The respect and enthusiasm
for the experienced leadership
of Vice President Nixon has
made him the overwhelming
choice not only of Republicans
in every walk of life and on
every level but of many Inde-
pendents and Democrats as
well. This wide popular ap-
proval makes Dick Nixon the
man to lead our Nation in the
crucial years ahead"
Statement Unfair
State Republican Chairman
Ed Viehman of Minnesota said
he didn't think it was fair for
Gov, Rockefeller to say, as he
did in his statement of with
draWal, that the great majority
of those who will be in control
at the Chicago convention are
opposed to any contest for the
nomination.
( There are those of US" Mr..
Viehman said, who feel that
the only misgivings about a
c~Ltest are that the candidates
might develop such rancor in
the party that it would not be
able to do the job in the gen.
eral election"
State G. o. P. Chairman
Richard H. Shaw Of Colorado
voiced disappointment at the
Rockefeller decision and added:
Il considered Rockefeller a
fine American and a worthy
contestant. Personally, I'm for
Vice President Nixon but I
would prefer to see a contest
for the nomination. 1t helps
keep the Republican Party be-
fore the people which, l believe,
will be appreciably cut down
by Rockefeller's decision. 1t
could be detrimental to U.S."
IOwan Surprised
I'm indeed surprised" said
Verne Martin, Iowa G. o. P.
chairman. I've always con-
sidered it a wholesome thing
to have strong candidates vie
for any Office, either at the
State or local level. I feel that
that is good for either party"
William M. Brinton, San
Francisco attorney who helped
sponsor a citizens for Rookie
feller movement, said the Gov
ernor's supporters hope he may
change his decision.
Neither the country nor the
Republican Party can afford to
lose a man of such command
ing stature" Mr.. Brinton said,
particularly at a time when
the country needs his special
abilities and broad understand
ing.
In my opinion, Gov. Nelson
Rockefeller is the only person
in public life today who can
rally the wholehearted support
so essential for the next Presi-
dent to have. I hope all those
whr share my deep disappoint-
ment might wish to write or
wire Gov. Rockefeller to ex-
press their own feelings"
!; Lyndon johnson Comments
Among the Democratic pres
idential possibilities, Senator
Lyndon B. Johnson, reached in
Austin, Tex, said he wasn't
surprised at the Rockefeller
decision. He predicted the
Democrats will elect a Pres
ident next November and
should give serious conSidera-
ton to asking Gov. Rockefeller
to serve in some high official
position"
Senator johnson added:
1T has been obvious for some
time that there is no place in
the National Republican Party
for the able and progressive
Governor.
Since he has stated def
nitely that he will entertain no
thought of the vice presidency,
I think the Democratic Party
will ask him to serve his coun-
try by serving the next Demo-
cratic administration"
Adlai Stevenson, visiting his
sons relatives in Louisville, KY,
said Gov. Rockefeller with
drawal leaves his party no
free choice Of candidates for
President.
He often seems like a
thoughtful and sincere liberal,