The Glacier reporter. [volume] (Browning, Mont.) 1953-current, 1960-04-21
Weekly News Report On Doings
Under The Dome In Washington
a Tide TUrnins?-
Kennedy's Crossroads
Syminsfon And Stevenson
Nixon Resists Fear

NlNo0 NcotSto FGdE-
WASHINGTON, DC. - There
are some in Washington who say
the battle between prospective
Democratic presidential candf.
dates, and the publicity resulting
- including the primary battles
- has turned the political tide
back to a Democratic one.
II will be recalled that in 1858
Immediately after the Democrat,
ic congressional election victor.
les, no one cared much for the
chances of the Republican Party
nominees in 1860. But, in 1859, es-
pecially after Vice President
Richard Nixon's trip to Russia,
polls showed the tide had turned.
Last year Nixon pulled ahead
of all the Democratic candidates
in the public opinion polls - as
the choice of American voters for
the job of President. But the lat.
est poll showed Nixon trailing
Senator John Kennedy of Massa,
chusetts.
Moreover, the drama and ex,
element of presidential primar.
les will continue until June. The
next star attraction is set for May
10 in West Virginia. On that day
Senators Kennedy and Hubert
Humphrey D-Minn) will com.
pete for the favor of West Vir,
ginia'S voters.
Because the vote returns in
Wisconsin showed religion was
definitely factor, and one that
probably hurt Kennedy (although
Catholics seemed to vote for him
almost en- masse), West Virgins
is a stern test for the young
Massachusetts, Senator. The per
centage of Catholics in this state
is three per cent!
Charges have been flying re
Gently - made by Kennedy:
camp - that everyone else ir
the Democratic race is "gangine
up" on the wealthy young front
runner. There is truth in the
charge, too, but it is only natura
for the other contenders to at
tempt to slow down a man threat
ening to run away with the nomi
nation on the first ballot.
There are indications, mean
while, that Vice President Nixor
would prefer to run against Ken
nedy, and have the religious is
sue going for him, than agains
certain other Democrats. Thi!
may explain the encouraging
statement Nixon made abou
Kennedy's candidacy recently -
he said Kennedy would be ;
shoo-in if he won the West Viz
ginia primary.
West Virginia is undoubtedly
crucial test for Kennedy. RICH
now chances are against him .
but the role of underdog Nigh
suit the Senator better than tina
of favorite, which he enjoyed il
Wisconsin. There victory failei
to impress most party pros. !
close race in West Virginia, or
bare victory, would impress then
far more.
Senator Stuart Symington o
Missouri, remains a hot darl
horse in the Democratic field, a
does, of course, Adlai Stevenson
The role of Majority Leader LyT
don Johnson is somewhat NOR
obscure at the moment - in tn
wake of his passage of a civi
rights bill.
Though johnson can claim tina
he delivered - in talking to NeN
York, New Jersey and other cas-
ern-northern delegates and pol
ticians, his strength in these SET
tons is difficult to assess. Hi
supporters claim there is stron
support for the master strategis
in New York, New Jersey, Illinoi
and other key states.
| Politicians in these states ar
now arguing over the civil right
bill - and waiting to see if Sen;
tor Kennedy runs away with tn
marbles. After that Johnson
chances will be more apparen
He does seem to be the onl
candidate close to Kennedy i
prospective delegate strength a
Los Angeles.
| Vice President Richard Nixo
- watching what some say is
Democratic tide developing -
putting the restraining arm o
supporters who are tempted I
worry. Nixon is calmly countin
\ on President Eisenhower's tray
els, his peace efforts, and the n
suits of summit meetings, {
change the balance again.
He also knows he has a toug
1 job in competing with the demo
cratic Party in the matter of col
ventions - for his nominatio
will be a no-contest affair Will
the Democratic nomination wi
be a slam-bang affair.
But Nixon does not want to bt
gin his push too early. He is q
ing to play waiting game, unit
Il - 4hirLc thn r,nnr,narnf lie riohl