Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-07-28

GOV. ROCKEFELLER
rage. Only a string Of primary
victories appears likely to con-
quer their skepticism on this
score. And even then some of
them will oppose him as "too
liberal"
What was surprising in Mi
ami Beach was the GOODNESS
many Of the Republican Gov
ernors displayed in private
comments about Senator Gold
water. The Senator's stock has
risen spectacularly in the last
two months. At the meeting of
the Republican National Com
mittee in Denver last month,
end later at the Young Repub-
lican Convention in San Fran
cisco, he was the strong favor
lite Of at least two-thirds Of
those present.
Three in Support
But in Miami Beach, only
three Governors identified
themselves publicly as Gold
water men-Paul Fannin of
Arizona, Henry Bellmon of
Oklahoma and Tim Babcock
Of Montana. Gov. Archie Cub
brud of South Dakota gave
strong indications he was lean.
ing the same way.
Other Midwestern and West
ern Republicans remained aloof.
Some of the reasons were
simply tactical: A desire TO
control an uncommitted dele
cation for a possible switch
late on the first roll-call, for
example. ia
But in more cases, the res
ervations reflected serious
doubts about Senator Gold
waters candidacy and qualifi-
cations. ~
The staunchly conservative
Governor of one Western
State said the Senator struck
him as being too rigid" on
some matters, including invest
ment resource development"
Another, from the same re-
gion, criticized him for Shoot
ing from the hip" on serious
issues.
Hit as Extreme"
A farm State Governor crit
icized both Senator Goldwater
and his New York rival for be-
ing too extreme. I'm not
going to be running next year
myself, but I can think Of
many Republicans I'd rather
have on the top Of the ticket
than those two men," 81
Further East, the chilliness
to Senator Goldwater becomes
more pronounced. Gov. George
Romney of Michigan joined
Gov. Rockefeller in expressing
concern about the Senator's
real views on segregation and
"the radical right" 20
BY following the New York
er's lead on the civil rights
maneuvering at the confer
ence, the Republican execu-
tives unanimously indicated
that, whatever their personal
feelings about Gov. Rockefel-
Ter, they do see advantages in
bidding for Negro votes.
Several volunteered private
comments that Senator Gold
water would have to shake off
fringe supporters" who may
be segregationists in order to
win their backing.
Probable FavOrite Son
Gov. John Rhodes of Ohio.
a probable favorite son, was
cautious in his comments, but
he left reporters with the
impression he might be wen
pleased to support such neigh
boring State dark horse posi-
bilities as Gov. Romney,
Senator Thruston Morton Of
Kentucky or Gov. William
Scranton Of Pennsylvania.
However, Gov. Romney con-
WINGED those he talked to that
he was sincere in saying he
would not seek the nomination.
Senator Morton is personally
popular with the Governors,
but Gov. Scranton, who did not
attend the conference, Is no
more than an interesting UNI
known quantity to most Of
them.
Though they may wish for
another alternative" none OF
the Governors appears to have
any plan for bringing someone
into the race TO challenge Gov.
Rockefeller or Senator Gold
water.
Barring a deadlocked con-
vention, most Of the Governors
expect the primaries to settle
the choice between those two
men.
1t is, quite plainly, q choice
many of them would Just as
soon their party did not have
10 face.