Evening star., 1960-08-28
IN REPUBLICAN, STRONGHOLD.
An Unorthodox Candidate

West Point, where his father
coached the football team. At the
age of seven he was precociously
introduced to both literature and
politics by being impressed into
service as a reader for his famous
grandfather. The old mans taste
ran all the way from Horace and
Juvenal to windy treatiSeS on in
land waterways and the back pages
Of the Congressional Record.
Three years later, when his par
ents separated, Vidal went to live
permanently with the distinguished
blind Senator and spent many
happy hours leading him about
Washington and accompanying
him on campaigns. In the process
he acquired love for politics that
never wilted, even in the bright
lights Of Hollywood and Broadway.
Out of Phillips Exeter Academy
and into the Air Corps, Vidal burst
forth on the literary world at 10
with the publication Of "Willi-
waw," his first novel. After that
he never bothered with formal edu-
cation, but the day came when he
did need money. With character
istic determination, he allowed
himself five years to become COM
fortably fixed.
When the time limit expired
last year he found himself regally
ensconced in Edgewater, an 1920
mansion on the banks Of the Hud-
son, comfortably surrounded by
valuable antiques, period furniture,
shelf after shelf Of classics and two
cocker spaniels, Blanche du Bois
and Billy the Kid, the gift of Act
reSs Jeanne Woodward. The house
cost only $4,000, but he spent
several times that fixing it up.
In between campaign Sallies
into the hinterland. Mr.. Vidal
spends his time out on the lawn in
a big wicker chair studying up on
the main issues. both national
and local. He strongly supports
Federal aid to education with no
string attached, medical care for
the aged and pollution control Of
the Hudson, which flows by his
front door redolent with the sew
age Of upstream communities. u,
A Glimpse Into the Future
Although Mr.. Vidal, an ardent
Kennedy backer, has had to
sheath the sword Of his keen wit
in the interests Of getting elected.
he just couldn't resist when a re-
porter asked If he envisioned any
political future for himself beyond
Congress.
Let's see," he replied with a
malicious CLINT. Jack should be
good for two terms. Then Bobby
Kennedy will have to have two.
I'm not so sure about Teddy but
the air should be clear around
about 1868"
On another occasion. he told
an interviewer that he has always
felt he would rather be President
than write"
Aside from rehearsing a sum-
mer stock preview Of "On the
March to the Sea-" his new play.
at the Hyde Park Playhouse. MI.
Vidal has all but deserted his
ivory tower in order to bring his
message of political salvation to
the masses.
The main message consists in
attacking both parties for failing
to convince the people that they
themselves are the Government
and in unfolding his views on the
primary function OF Congress:
Il look upon Congress as place
where questions are asked. What
kind of a country do We really
want? What sort Of a government
do We want? How much freedom
do we want? l would like to 60
there as a questioner and perhaps
start the discussion going?"
Whether Mr.. Vidal will ever get
to take a seat in the national
seminar he envisions won't be
know until November 8, but in the
meantime he promises that there
is immediate seating on my
bandwagon."