Evening star., 1960-07-24
Rockefeller
Explains Stand
nDraft Today
By CECIL HOLLAND
Star STAFF Writer

the draft-Rockefeller move
ment still precariously alive,
New York Gov. Nelson Rookie
feller today pointed to meet
ing of his states 96-vote dele
cation tomorrow for an indica-
tion of the course he will pur-
sue in the Republican conven-
ton.
Gov. Rockefeller told a news
conference attended by more
than 400 reporters he had seen
mo clear evidence of a srious
draft" for the Republican pres
idential nomination. But he
refused to say when he would
release New York's uncom-
mitted delegation.
Il don't know" he said
when asked how long he ex-
pected to retain his status as
being available for a draft.
Some Delegates Eager to Switch
The New York delegation
will be meeting with some of
its members already restless
and eager to turn to Vice Pres
ident Nixon as their choice for
the presidential nomination.
Gov. Rockefeller, who will
address his draft-Rockefeller
workers at a rally here tomor-
row, withheld a direct indorse-
ment of Mr.. Nixon even after
their agreement on platform
issues. But he said that with
a platform embodying the mat
ters outlined in the Nixon
Rockefeller agreement he is
ready. anxious and active to
support whoever is the nom
inee."
The 51-year-old Governor. a
dominant figure here on the
eve of the convention after
winning Vice President Nixon's
support for his platform ideas,
made it clear that he will not
take the vice presidential spot |
even if President Eisenhower
should make a personal appeal
to him.
Despite his great respect for
the President, Gov. Rockefeller
said, Il would not be able to
accept"
At the outset Of his press
conference, Gov. Rockefeller
quickly denied a suggestion by
Senator Goldwater of Arizona |
that the platform was a pre-
requisite for him to accept Sec
ond place on the ticket with
Mr.. Nixon.
THE answer" he said, "is
fatty no."
DOdges Question on Nixon
Gov. Rockefeller Skirted a |
direct answer to a question on
whether Mr.. Nixon, as the |
likely party nominee, offered
him second place on the ticket |
during their long conversation |
on the platform last night.
Eve had free and full dis
cussion Of the question that |
covered all ranges of the prob
lem," he said.
Asked to make q Sherman
like statement renouncing the
Vice Presidency, Gov. Rookie
feller said he thought he had
been making such statements
for the last month. If a situa-
ton arose which required such
a statement IF nominated I
will not run. if elected I will
not serve" - Gov. Rockefeller
said he would make one.
But he indicated he saw no
further need to disavow second |
place on the ticket and he
sought to minimize the impor-
tance of the spot in the elec-
tion.
II don't think one Vice Pres
ident makes a summer or an
election" he said,
Would Accept Draft
At the same time he still
held open the door to the
presidential nomination, "if
there would be a genuine draft,
which is unlikely" he said, IT
would accept"
He dismissed as highly hy-
pothetical and unrealistic" a
question on whether he would
ask Mr.. Nixon to be his run
ming mate if lightning should
strike" and he should get the
presidential nomination.
He said the Republicans face
a hard fight in November but
can win if they carry through
on the platform as outlined in
his agreement with Mr.. Nixon.
While the Democratic ticket of
Senator Kennedy of Massachu-
sets and Senator johnson of
Texas has certain congruities
about it," Gov. Rockefeller said,
it is a strong one.
Gov. Rockefeller insisted the
platform agreement with Mr..
Nixon did not represent "a re-
pudiation" by them Of the Els
enhoWer administrations poll
cies. New times and new con-
ditions, he added, require new
solutions.
Eisenhower Not Consulted
From what Gov. Rockefeller
said and what Mr.. Nixon's press
assistant, Herbert G. Klein,
told reporters, Mr.. Eisenhower
was not consulted about the
agreement. Asked if they had
informed the President or left
him to find out for himself,
Gov. Rockefeller said Mr.. Nixon
was the natural channel" for
such communications to the
White House.
With the platform, he said,
there would be "a good chance"
of carrying New York in No
vember. AS for himself, he said
he could be of more service to
the people of New York and
the country as Governor than