Politics: In Unpath'd Waters

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Mysterious Sea Breeze. Pending that decision, Romney leaped at an opportunity to peck at Lyndon Johnson about Viet Nam. Ironically, the chance came via Reagan, into whose hands a friendly but mysterious sea breeze wafted a radiogram from White House Aide Marvin Watson to Price Daniel, L.B.J.'s liaison man on board. Watson was advising Daniel on tactics for getting the Republican Governors to approve a pro-Administration resolution on Viet Nam. The advice was routine enough: remind the Republicans, especially Rockefeller and Ohio's James Rhodes, of their support at previous Governors' meetings. Reagan showed the message to Romney, and then had it copied for reporters. Romney used it as an argument against approval of any Viet Nam resolution.

Columnist Art Buchwald predicted that a second White House message would arrive, saying: "Disregard earlier wire. President following." Buchwald was wrong. Johnson, who had been considering a flight to St. Croix to rendezvous with the Governors, decided to stay in Washington for the antiwar demonstrations. At least he knew where the demonstrators stood.