Evening star., 1961-01-16
THE KENNEDY CABINET
Ribicoff Steps Into Raging Bottle
Over Medical Core for the Aged


nor's 1858 campaign pledge to
hold the tax line for two years
q major factor in producing his
record 6.000-vote victory
margin.
Gov. Ribicoff kept his pledge
but only by steeply increased
borrowing, by diverting high.
way funds into the genera
budget, by cutting "frills" from
the health and welfare pro-
grams and by freezing the level
of State aid to education. which
forced many towns to increase
local taxes for schools.
He obtained IS million fol
his budget by q temporary In
crease in the controversial tax
on Connecticut insurance COM
panies, but in return agreed to
support the gradual reduction
and eventual elimination Of the
taxa policy he had denounced
only two years before as "the
biggest giveaway program In
Connecticut history"
Fiscal Policies Questioned
There are critics who charge
the Governors fiscal policies
were designed to promote his
popularity at the expense OF
future governors headaches
His successor. 1t. Gov. John
Dempsey. Is expected to have
to seek an immediate $3.50 mill
lion tax boost.
One critic Of Gov. Ribicofi
says. he's getting out Of
Connecticut just in the nick OF
time," but top Republicans
concede privately he could be
reelected today against any
opposition.
Whatever the historical judg.
ment on his years In the State
House. three Of Gov. Ribicoff's
leadership techniques bear i'm
portantly on his new service In
the cabinet.
First is his heavy reliance on
blue ribbon, bipartisan study
commissions to develop support
for controversial programs.
"The Governor" says an aide.
will fight for his programs
when he has to. but he'd rather
marry people to them than
coerce them" Time and again,
opponents Of his legislative
programs have been en-
barassed in their opposition by
the fact that the programs were
hammered out by panels on
which big-name Republican in
dustrialists have worked side by
side with labor leaders. edu-
Gators and other respected
citizens.
The second technique Is what
Gov. Ribicoff describes as the
use Of "candor as q technique
in politics" In Hartford. he
has held press conferences
twice O day. been available for
queries at all times and in.
sisted that his departmental
aides provide answers to all
newsmenss questions.
Third. Gov. Ribicoff has
dealt with the practicalities Of
politics with such skill that, as
John Bailey says. "he's been
able to sell himself to the peo-
pie as an independent Gov
ernor and still build the strong.
est Democratic Party in the
country"
The Ribicoff- Bailey political
partnership made its biggest
political bet in early 1866 -
backing q then-obscure Sena-
tor named John Kennedy for
the Democratic vice presi.
Dental nomination - and 1t
has paid off beautifully for all
concerned.
Prefers Positive Role
Gov. Ribicoff repeatedly
chose the Welfare Depart
ment post over the Attorney
Generalship because he wanted
a chance to be "tor" things,
not just against" crime. Sew.
eral Of his old acquaintances
in Hartford find it impossible
to imagine "Amiable Abe" as q
tough racket-buster, but pre-
dict his moderate philosophy
and modest manner will make
him a success as a salesman of
the Kennedy programs for
health, education. and welfare.
Many. including his few init
mates, believe he has his eye
set on a Supreme Court ap-
pointment, but the Governor
himself says: ! 60 down to
Washington to start q new
road. I don't know where that
road will lead"