Republicans: It's the Right Thing'

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I believe government close to the people is good government. And I believe in fiscal integrity." Itching for 1964. But what really attracts Republicans to him is that, of all the party's presidential possibilities. Rockefeller stands out as the one who behaves as if he is itching to take on John Kennedy in 1964. He has hit at the "inconsistency" of the Administration's policy in the Far East, on its farm policy, and on Kennedy's handling of the steel crisis. He has charged that Kennedy is seeking too much power ("We are getting toward a government by men instead of government by laws"), scored Kennedy's delay in resuming nuclear tests, derided his failure to push civil rights legislation.

Rockefeller is particularly critical of Kennedy's economic policies, feels that the Administration does not really understand the workings of the economy. The President's actions, he charges, "have destroyed the climate for growth." Says a top national Republican of Rocky: "He seems to be more partisan. He's criticized Kennedy for some things that a lot of people would have thought he'd have gone along with. He's getting more of a fighting image." That image is also obvious to Democrats—and they have stepped up their fire on Rockefeller. In Atlanta last week to deliver the commencement address at Spelman College, a Negro institution for women.— Rockefeller quietly but effectively answered Democratic National Chairman John Bailey's demagogic charge that he had opposed a federal department of urban affairs because of racial feelings against its proposed head, Housing Administrator Robert Weaver, a Negro. Noting his and his family's long and distinguished record on civil rights. Rocky said: "I speak from a family-ingrained conviction whose roots are deep indeed. It is for this reason that I have felt entirely free to speak most critically of those who pay elaborate homage to the civil rights cause at election time, but are found wanting in the courage, the profound and true belief, that must back promises with action." Later, at his press conference, President Kennedy repudiated Bailey's charge, saying: "I've never seen any evidence that Mr. Rockefeller is prejudiced in any way toward any racial group." Rockefeller definitely does not believe that Kennedy is a cinch to win in '64. He thinks that he could have beaten Kennedy in 1960 (Kennedy privately agreed after the election that Rocky might have won) —and that he can do it in 1964. As Rocky sees it, Kennedy's performance to date has been more image than substance, more rhetoric than performance, more show than go. He is convinced that Kennedy's potential for major error is large—and that the President's image and popularity can fade badly before 1964.

Help from Democrats. Rockefeller's own future depends on how well he does in the New York election this fall. A big win would propel him strongly into the running in 1964. So far, New York Democrats seem intent on giving him a helping hand. No Democrat has yet emerged who is any real opposition for Rockefeller, and the Democrats have made news mostly by their scramble to avoid facing him in the fall.