Wilson on 1984 Election

Former Vice President Walter P. Moneale stands the bass chance of gaining the Democratic Presidential nomination, although Sen. John Glens (D-Ohi) could pose the strongest threat to the Reagam re-election campaign, Shattock Professor of Government James Q. Wilson said last night.

But he added that both candidates face an "uphill Climb" towards the presidency in 1984.

When, addressing a group of fifteen students and faculty members at a government round table discussion in Lowell House, ranked the economy and foreign policy the most important issues in next year's election.

"In the absence of a foreign policy crisis, the state of the economy will work to Reagan's advantage," he added.

"Mondule can't win on foreign policy or economic issues," Wilson said, adding that Mondule's best option is to appeal to voters alienated by the President's economic policy, particularly the budget cuts.

"We won't get bogged down in Grenada because it seems clear that the President will have our forces out within the 60-day dead-line Congress set," Wilson said, but added that "letting the Marines in Lebanon look like ducks in a shooting gallery" could hurt Reagan's campaign.

"The Reagan people think Glenn would be a more formidable candidate, in more conservative regions, but his chances of nomination are less than 50-50," Wilson said. Glenn, Wilson explained, could run a successful campaign by telling voters, "'I have all of Reagan's strengths, and none of his weaknesses. I'm more cautious and circumspect on foreign policy matters than he.'"

Wilson, a well-known conservative and the author of the recent book Talking About Crime, called Jesse Jackson's recently-an-nounced candidacy a threat to Mondale. But he said Jackson's impact would be uncertain, because blacks have traditionally shown a much lower turnout in primaries than whites.

"The nuclear freeze issue may be a reason for the left to vote Democratic, but it's not an issue that cuts very deeply," Wilson said. "Actual foreign policy risks worry Americans more."