McCarthy in Massachusetts

In launching his bid to deny President Johnson the 1968 Democratic Presidential nomination, Senator Eugene J. McCarthy (D-Minn.) has shown a rare degree of political courage. For the first time a figure of national stature will offer the American public a positive alternative to this country's ever-widening involvement in Vietnam and the stagnation the war has caused in domestic programs.

McCarthy's campaign is well-financed and it should become well-organized. Persons of all shades of dovish opinion finally have a figure to rally around. They have an opportunity and an obligation to work for him, and make their voices heard in a politically effective manner.

Whatever the eventual outcome of McCarthy's campaign, it cannot help but have a beneficial effect on the Democratic Party and on the American political scene.

McCarthy has a longshot chance to deny Johnson the renomination of the Democratic Party. In addition, a good showing by McCarthy may convince Senator Robert F. Kennedy (D-N.Y.) and other Democrats in private disagreement with the President that an alternative to Johnson does exist. It may cause President Johnson to moderate his Vietnam policies. It may convince the Republicans that by nominating a dove they will attract a large and well-organized number of Democrats. Finally, the campaign promises to have a good effect on the country by bringing back into the political system those persons whose frustrations over the war have led them to take actions outside our democratic structure.

McCarthy has a solid record in the Senate and is well-equipped to conduct the kind of multi-issue campaign which will be needed to gain a significant number of votes. He has consistently supported civil rights measures, the poverty program, and aid to education. He was one of the first public figures to stand up to the Red-baiting tirades of Senator Joseph McCarthy. He started and led the campaign to bring the CIA under closer Congressional scrutiny. And as a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, he has sought a basic reassessment of the country's foreign policy.

McCarthy has proven himself to be a formidable vote-getter in his home state of Minnesota. He has been elected to the House five times and to the Senate twice--including a landslide victory in 1964. He has never lost an election to public office.

The April 30 Massachusetts Primary is shaping up to be the crucial test for McCarthy's campaign. He will come here from the Wisconsin primary, a state where he is acknowledged to be strong. Nevertheless, the Bay State will be no pushover. It has a reputation for being hawkish and has repeatedly rejected peace candidates.

The strategic importance of the Massachusetts primary affords an excellent opportunity to those students and Faculty members who are concerned about the war and disappointed with the Johnson Administration.

McCarthy supporters will be recruiting volunteers in the House dining halls again tonight. As the primary nears, students will be needed to man campaign headquarters across the state and for the massive canvassing the Senator's supporters are now preparing. McCarthy's courageous bid to unseat Lyndon Johnson deserves the vigorous support of all those in the Harvard community who want to see this country reverse the unhappy course of the Vietnam war.