Evening star., 1960-06-09

was made as he met with thi
State Republican Executive
Committee in New York after
visiting the White House TO
tell Mr.. Eisenhower of his
statement. At the same time
he said he would lead the New
York delegation to the con-
vention.
There was no indication that
his challenge to the Vice Pres
ident had stimulated any sup
port as a draft candidate for
the nomination. According to
an Associated Press poll, the
Vice President already had
more than 900 votes for the
nomination, with only 666
required.
Senator Cooper, Republican
of Kentucky, said if Gov.
Rockefeller feels this way, he
ought to become an active
candidate. Let Rockefeller
and Nixon debate the issues
before the convention and If
Nixon is nominated. as I be-
lieve he will be, Rockefeller
should openly and vigorously
support him"
Senator Morton of Kentucky,
the Republican national chair
man, said he would not object
to a contest for the nomina-
ton. IF there is one, III see
to it that the convention is run
as fairly as possible"
Two Open Conventions"
| Senate Democratic Leader
johnson of Texas commented
Ilaconically that "it could be we
are going to have two open
conventions after all"
The Texan said the Rookie
feller statement indicates there
is some life in that elephant
yet"
Senator Johnson, a serious
contender for the Democratic
presidential nomination, added:
Notwithstanding the exag-
gerated claims of delegates
being sewn up even before they
are selected, and weeks before
the convention is held, the
Democrats will have a con-
structive and open convention,
and will select the best equipped
and most experienced man the
delegates have a chance to
select. There is a good deal Of
talk that there could be an open
Republican convention, too"
On the Senate floor Senator
Proxmire, Democrat of Wis
consin, called the Rockefeller
statement one of the most i'm
portant and eloquent of this
campaign year.
Democratic National Chair
man Paul M. Butler commented
that Gov. Rockefeller was crit
ical of the Eisenhower Nixon
record and 1T would seem q.
agrees with the Democrats that
it is time for a change in
Washington"
Speak Out, Aiken Says
Senator Aiken of Vermont, a
spokesman for the liberal Re-
publican side, said Mr.. Nixon
Ought to speak out before the
convention on both national
and international issues" He
added he did not approve of
Gov. Rockefeller's criticism and
saw no chance that Rockefeller
would be drafted for the nomi-
nation in place of Mr.. Nixon.
| Senator Mundt of South
Dakota and Representative
Byrnes of Wisconsin, both
Nixon supporters, backed the
Vice Presidents course of
waiting until after the nom
ination to speak out on his
own. s ...EL
Il think Mr.. Nixon's conduct
to date has been in keeping
with his position as Vice Presi-
dent" Mr.. Byrnes, chairman
of the House Republican Con-
ference said. When he be-
comes the nominee I would
expect him to discuss all the
issues fully and forthrightly."
In his statement Gov. Rookie
feller aSSailed the administra-
ton handling of defense, edu-
cation, medical care, labor
management programs and a
new approach to foreign policy.
Our position in the world is
dramatically weaker today than
it was Is years ago." Gov.
Rockefeller said.