IOP Fellow Says Politicians Depend on Television

Noted jorunalistic historian Theodore H. White '38 last night told a packed crowd at the Kennedy School that "any American politician with aspirations is like a videotrophic plant."

Just as a hellotrophic plant depends on the sun for its growth, American politicians depend on television for political surveys White said in his speech, which was sponsored by the Institute of Politics' Student Authority Committee.

Today's primaries have become geared around television, said White, a visiting follow at the IOP. "The primaries are designed by technicians and campaign managers. They spread the states out before them, and choose the scenery for you," he added.

"If a candidate wants the student which vote, the people choose the campus with the prettiest co-ends and have the candidate seen with them." White said.

Additionally, the entire primary system has grown out of proportion since the explosion of television in the 1950's resulted in the 1950's resulted in the revitalization of primaries, White explained.

In 1956 when White covered the New Hampshire primary, seven reporters were assigned the story. When he last converted the story in 1980, however. White explained, anywhere from 1500 to 2000 "media personnel" showed up for the New Hampshire primary.

Reform is needed for this system which they not give any of the young fair shot of deciding who they want as President," White

He expressed hopes that the 99th Congress will put together a reasonable system of choosing a leader. His favorite option would divide the country into its four time zones and holds primaries on just four days.

White, by his own description is a "story-teller" with the story being a search for history, Visiting Fellows Coordinator Derrick A. West '87 said. White's career began in China during World War 11, when he was a corresponded for Time magazine.

He returned to the United States in the 1950's and began to write about American politics. Since then he has written. The Making of the President series, which began in 1960 and concludes with America in Search of itself in 1980.

Presently, White is 0working on another book about politics, according to West.

White, who will remain at the K-School through today, had lunch yesterday with the Neiman Fellows, attended a Government 30. "Introduction to American Government," section, and met with East Asian concentrators.