Evening star., 1962-10-08
POLITICS
continued From PAGE Al

forcing the local press to put
the campaign story on the front
page. But if his message itself
Is not a persuasive one, then
his success will be limited.
Mr.. Kennedy's basic speech
shows unmistakable signs Of
the public relations advice of
Louis Harris, his favorite poll
ster.
Wants Progressive" People
Mr.. Harris specializes in
turning campaign liabilities
into advantages. A year ago,
he showed a discredited Mayor
Robert F. Wagner of New York
how to win denomination and
reelection by shouting louder
than anyone else that New
York needed better government
than he had given it for eight
years.
Now, with Mr. Harris's coach
ing, President Kennedy, the
spokesman for a party that al
ready controls the White House
and heavy majoribes In the
Congress, is asking for the
election of some people who
believe in progress"
Mayor Wagner blamed the
failures Of his first two terms
on boss control" of City Hall
Mr.. Kennedy is blaming the
disappointment of his first two
years on the nearly unanimous
opposition" of the Republicans
and what he chooses to call a
handful" OF Southern Demo-
Gratis.
A No Name Attack
Mayor Wagners campaign
was a spectacular success,
partly because he had in Car
mine DeSapio an ideal personal
symbol of the "boSsiSm" against
which he was railing. Mr.. Ken
nedy has no such symbol.
He is not personalizing his
attack at all. He has men,
toned no Republicans by name.
He talks of "a per cent Of
the Republicans" voting against
this, "8l per cent" against that,
Even if the voter wants to get
mad, the President isn't telling
him who to get mad at.
Mr.. Kennedy seems to realize
that his argument, which is
really directed against the con
servative coalition" in tn e
House. is rather complicated
for the average voter to under
stand.
He is trying to simplify it,
by pitting the Republicans
who say no to progress,
against the Democrats, who
say yes" But in doing so. he
IS coming perilously close te
confirming the Republicans
oversimplified accusation that
the President wants a Congress
Of Eyes men"
The G. o. P. high command
believes, on the basis of polli
it=has made, that the public
knows this is a Democratic
Congress and the President viii
fail to convince people Re-
puhlicans are to blame fol
staIling his bills.
They think they can answer
him simply by asking, How
many Democrats does hi
need?"
Certain RISKS
Whoever is proved right or
November s, it is clear thai
the strategy Mr.. Kennedy ha'
adopted contains certain risks
l.. BY intervening directl,
not Just in congressional anC
senatorial contests, but in th'
key governorships as well, th'
President is putting his politi
cal strength to a test undet
circumstances that he vel
recognizes are far from favor
able.
Many of the candidates he i
championing are in Difficult
fights: a few are certain to b
defeated; and almost none cal
count on victory with assur
ance.
The Presidents willingness
to take this risk two years be
fore he come up for reelection
shows him to be far from tn
cautious or timid party leade
his critics have depicted.
2. He risks alternating tina
small but vital group of Repub
lican liberals and moderate
whose support has been neces
sary to the passage Of almos
every major bill that has gon