The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1960-07-22

Republicans have said that the
Democratic platform has promised all
things to all people mething for
everybody" think the term was.
But Republicans from Montana at
| tending their convention in Chicago
this week have also said their party
would have to produce a program
and platform that will meet the needs
of the people, but will not be copy
of the Democrat platform
This, after-all, is democracy and
all of the people must be considered
in national policy.
1t irritates me when / hear COM
mentators speak in terms of the peo-
pie accepting platforms as ''come-
ons" rather than performance state
ments. l think this is an unworthy
use of the power of suggestion.
Parties should be judged on their
platforms, and above all their record
of adherence to it.
Mike Kuchera has announced he
is going to run Independent for Gov
ernor. What will this mean in terms
of votes on November 8?
He has run for public office 13
times; II times as Republican, and
two times as a Democrat. A change
of political affiliation therefore is
not difficult.
He is subject to pressures. His an
nouncement that he would run indie
pendent repudiates a strong state
ment late in June giving his ''un-
qualified support" to Paul Cannon,
Democratic nominee, in which he said,
at would not be right for me to run
as an Independent"
He has till August 10 to get his
6,944 signatures to the Secretary
of State.
Only the most politically naive
would figure his candidacy could hurt
the Republican candidate.
The situation as it is developing is
ripe for rumor.
Rumors out of Yellowstone county
indicate certain Republicans recog-
nize this fact so clearly they are will
ing to put money on it. The rumor is
Kuchera has demanded a specified
in escrow before he files.
The amount of money to be raised,
according to the political talk, ranges
from $4,000 to 100000. A campaign
FOR Governor would require some
$4,000, under normal circumstances.
Money necessary to put him into
he race, it is being wildly rumored,
S to be guaranteed by three members
If the Highway Commissions a group
With headquarters in Butte; a high
placed member of the Republican or
and Miles City business
nan.
Republican popularity is tagging
'adly, so contributing to a splinter
andidate that could help them win
he Governorship could be cheap at
vice the price.
Governors in Montana are not gen.
rally elected in landslides.
Gambling will become an issue in
he campaign.
Gambling and liquor interests
could be badly hurt. They may try
to get in on the wheeling and deal
ing by securing a commitment
from one of the major candidates
to abolish the state liquor store
system, which is a major objective
of the liquor interests and more
practical of attainment than pas
sage of constitutional amend
ment to permit gambling.
The gambling issue could be a use
III tool of the corporate interests if
became so inflamatory that it OBJ
cures other vital issues and, defects
certain candidates.
At the present time it looks as if
lie candidacy of Kuchera can only
. boon to Republicans, and as if
epublicans intend to see that moth
g prevents him from becoming a
Much depends on the temper of
ontana people. These tactics have
zen known to backfire, and certainly
third candidate is going to put more
te into the race for Governor.