GOPs Exalt God and Country at Nixon Rally

MANCHESTER. N.H.--The Republicans have slipped into Manchester under cover of the storm. They are out to re-elect the President--they are out to re-elect themselves--they're out to give 'em all they got.

The armory isn't full, but that's O.K. New Hampshire people take their weather seriously--it's a wonder any of them came at all. Anyway, they are packed around the stage: the little kids are sitting on the floor, the Nixonettes in white sweaters and blue skirts stand rank and file against the wall. The press sits by itself like an offended assembly of bored Episcopalians.

The girls--their faces glazed and shiny--are volunteers, they say. They've come from as far away as Boston. But when asked if they support the President, they prefer to say, "No comment."

Art Linkletter--here's your host--is introducing the specialty acts you came for, and they come on one by one.

Elliot Richardson '44, first, the Secretary of HEW, a kind of newscaster-type with prepared delivery and teleprompter stance. He came, he says, to tell New Hampshire of the good that Nixon's done, how he's winding down the war and restoring power to the people.

Volpe--they introduce him here as local boy made good--he comes on like a fighter, you can't keep a good man down. Two things he has to say--the President will not rest for one moment until zero boys are in Vietnam, that Mrs. Volpe has assured him that the housewives of America know Nixon's done the job.

Touching Moment

Bill Brock, the new Senator from Tennessee, he's the next on call. He may only by a rookie, but you should see him go. It's a special night for me, he says, and as the people sang the S.S.B., he saw the girls had tears 'n their eyes. It's great to be in a country where the people care so much.

The kids pretend to eat it up while their parents sit stone-faced. Again and again the kids are told that Dick he gave 'em the vote.

The entertainment starts out kind of slow. The Collectors's Items, four girls, two guys, all with the burnt out eyes and faded satin outfits of Las Vegas corines, do a medley of your favorites and a military tap to the tune of 'Over There'. Lanie Kazin, a butterfly in silk, dedicates one to Nixon, she calls it 'Feeling Good.' Feeling what? asks one of the kids, smirking in the back.

Then back to business at hand. Gerald Form from Michigan gets to play the preacher's part. Tuesday will be gone, he tells the crowd, but we'll be sure to watch to see what you can do. He leaves them with that vision.

And now finally comes the star. Rocky, Rocky, Rocky. The girls shake red and white pompoms as Rocky's charging down the aisle.

Remember Attica, a few dissidents start to chant. Richard Nixon, Richard Nixon, the crowd yells back in response.

But when the crowd died down, Rockefeller has nothing much to say. Nixon's China trip took courage. And he then goes on to tell them of our own people's revolution that the intrepid Richard M. Nixon is advancing in their name.

So, so long folks. That's all. Save for the bebuttoned wards and healers, the people remain impassive. Who knows what's in their minds, other than the snow that still is coming down. The boys on stage no longer know what's next, but you can be sure they'll never rest 'till they've given 'em all they've got