GIVE A FORUM GIFT SUBSCRIPTION FOR CHRISTMAS

15, 1975 VOL. XI, No. 22 50 CENTS

EDITORIAL EDITORIAL POINTS: THE ADMINISTRATION AND THE CITY

It was with great regret that we learned to NATO. It is also good to welcome back El­ of Vice President Rockefeller's decision not to liot Richardson into the cabinet to succeed run on the national Republican ticket in 1976. Rogers Morton as secretary of commerce. Through­ During the last year Rockefeller has served out the dark days of Watergate, Richardson ex­ both the country and President Ford with distinc­ hibited a high standard of moral and political tion, bringing to his.office a wealth of govern­ rectitude that has been the trademark of his mental experience and political expertise while public life. Finally, we hope that former Tex­ providing a needed solidity to the fledgling as Congressman, former U.N. Ambassador, and Ford Administration. As a progressive Republi­ current Envoy to Peking George Bush will be as can with a long record of accomplishment in successful in restoring confidence in the Cen­ state as well as national politics, Rockefeller tral Intelligence Agency as he has been in his would have been a major asset to President Ford other governmental pursuits. These are moder-~ and the GOP in next year's general election and ate Republicans of whom we are proud. They would have contributed significantly to the have been widely maligned as utility players in second Ford Administration. an Administration with little tolerance for sometimes erratic "stars." In reality, how­ We are concerned, moreover, that the Vice ever, they are professional civil servants with President's announcement may result in an accel­ extensive backgrounds in both politics and poli­ erated narrowing of our party's already dimin­ cy. Rather than disqualifying them from their ished base of support, and that it may encour­ new tasks, their political sensitivity hopeful­ age the Republican Right to demand still fur­ ly will provide them with better guidelines for ther concessions from the Ford Administration, reestablishing citizen confidence in and coop­ most notably the nomination of Ronald Reagan or eration with government. some other conservative as the President's 1976 running mate. Increasingly, it appears that Politics has become a dirty word. Ruma­ President Ford's campaign will concentrate on feld, Richardson. and Bush have a continuing the parochial and overly anxious objective of responsibility to demonstrate that the politi­ warding off opposition by an aroused GOP Right cal system can be responsive to public atti­ in the primaries or at Kansas City. If Presi­ tudes while also providing leadership for pub­ dent Ford is to win election in November---and lic goals. If they can do that, they will to govern well thereafter---he will need to ap­ have accomplished more thanany~. transcontin­ peal to a much broader segment of his own party. ental campaign flight by Air Force One could ev­ not to mention forging a wider coalition among er hope to do for President Ford's reelection. the electorate generally. The withdrawl of Vice President Rockefeller is thus an unsettling ********** indication of the dangerous course on which we fear the Administration may now have embarked. We are gratified that House Minority Lead­ er John J. Rhodes has adopted the position ad­ On the bright side,President Ford's ap­ vocated by Ripon---that the federal government pointment of outstanding moderate Republicans offer appropriate loan guarantees to avert New to fill three important cabinet-level vacan­ York City default, conditioned upon the city's cies demonstrates once again the substantial immediate adoption of a balanced budget. resources on which our party is able to draw when it so chooses. Donald Rumsfeld has distin­ A federal guarantee is unlikely to cost guished himself in a series of high White House taxpayers a penny. It will enable sufficient positions; he is especially well-suited for the bonds to be sold and produce enough cash to avoid post of secretary of defense by virtue of the default. The city's fiscal plan, upon which the training he received in strategic and world af­ guarantee would be premised,. will ensure that fairs during his two years as U.S. ambassador the specter of default will not arise again._ · POLITICS: ELECTIOIS AT LEAST· IT WASN'T A ROTTEN YEAR

Anyone looking for political trends in NEW JERSEY , After the crushing defeat this year's election results could have spent I histher time better looking for seashells in suffered by the GOP in 1973, Republicans had only one way to go, and they did pick up 17 the Rocky Mountains. A·sampling of non-trends seats to narrow their deficit in the Assembly follows: to 49-31. In several counties, however, the GOP failed to make expected inroads in nomin­ I CALIFORNIA I The preliminary in the ally Republican areas ••• particularly when they San Francisco mayoralty race was something of had touted the legislative elections as a ref­ a surprise as the favorite, Supervisor Dianne erendum on Gov.' Brendan Byrne's leadership. Feinstein, finished out of the money as a conservative supervisor nudged past her to I MINNESOTA , , Minneapolis Mayor Albert face State Sen. George Moscone(D) in the run­ Hofstede(D) was unexpectedly upset by former off •. State Sen. Milton Marks, a progressive Mayor Charles Stenvig, an independent conserva­ Republican, finished a poor fifth. tive. Although the GOP candidate hardly made a dent in the mayor's race, Republicans did re­ I CONNECTICUT I The GOP· had hoped for bound in from their 1973 disasters in the city some victories in the state's big cities, but council elections, winning an additional two they hoped too much. Democrats continued con­ seats. trol of Hartford, New Haven, Waterbury, and New Britain, while crushing the .GOP in pre­ I PHILADELPHIA I Republican votes went viQUBly Republican Bridgeport. Only in St~ to Mayor Frank Rizzo (D) again this year, re­ ford was the GOP successful. ducing City Councilman Tom Foglietta(R) to a poor, third-place finish in the mayoral race. I KENTUCKY I The GOP had hoped that The GOP was shut out of the district council the busing controversy in Louisville and Jef­ races for the first time since 1959, and is ferson County would provide enough dissatisfac­ now represented by only at-large Councilwomen tion with Gov. Julian Carroll(D) to build a 'Beatrice K. Chernock and Dr. Ethel Allen. Acro "vote the ins out" tidal wave. Instead, a the state in Pittsburgh, Mayor Peter Flaherty(D) backlash against violence and divisiveness on strengthened his political hand with the elec­ the part of the GOP led to a Democratic win tion of his brother, Jim, to the Alleghany statewide and a bare margin of victory for Board of County Commissioners. Flaherty's new GOP gubernatorial candidate Robert Gable in organizational base in the county may propel Jefferson County. Carroll swept every congres­ him into next year's Senate contest. _ sional district including the solid Republican 5th C.D. It appears that more and more grass roots Republicans are staying home in Kentucky. tOHIO , I Cleveland Mayor Ra~ph Carroll's record margin came from a decrease Perk(R) handily hung onto his office and the in GOP votes. Democratic legislative margins GOP managed to pick up an extra city council were cut by only one vote. seat in Cincinatti, but Gov. James A. Rhodes' massive bond program suffered a massive de­ feat. Rhodes blamed the setback on New York J INDIANA J Republican William Hud- City. nut(R), a former congressman, recaptured the Indianapolis mayoralty for the GOP, but else­ where in the state, the Democrats picked up 1VIRGINIA I Republican hopes of re- ten more mayoralties. capturing legislative seats they lost in the last elections were unfounded. Democrats held [ LOUISIANA I Republicans didn't even onto their 35-5 margin in the State Senate and have a candidate to disturb Gov. Edwin W. Ed­ boosted their margin in the House of Delegates wards(D), who easily coasted to victory over by two more seats, 174-19 (with seven indepen­ two Democratic opponents. dents).

J MISSISSIPPI· . 1Republican Gil Carmichael I WASHINGTON r Secretary of State Bruce put a scare in gubernatorial winner Cliff Finch Chapman(R) won a surprisingly easy victory over (D), but that was about the only scare the Dem­ Democrat Kay Anderson to fill out the unexpired ocrats received. Other statewide Democratic portion of the office to which he was appointed candidates won handily, and only one Republican earlier in the year by Gov. Dan f:vans(R). Chap­ seat was added to the existing two House seats man is pledged to try to abolish his office and so is considered a likely candidate for another controlled by the GOP. In the Senate, two is statewide office. Another Chapman-Anderson con­ still the loneliest number for the GOP. test is considered likely next year. ------=-=-=-~------~

WINNING SOME AND LOSING SOME IN NEW YORK POLITICS: NEW YOU b Glenn Gerstell

The elections earlier this month reaffirmed gubernatorial veto made after the close of the that New York voters can be rather discriminat­ regular session. Since the Assembly is con­ ing when they cast ballots on pocketbook issues trolled by the Democrats. who are reluctant to and still remain susceptible to emotional rhet­ override Gov. Hugh Carey(D). it is doubtful that oric on social matters. With only 25 percent of passage of this provision signals a period of the eligible electorate voting. the state's legislative dominance over the executive. But voters approved constitutional amendments that the days of legislative subservience, which reformed governmental structure, rejected other characterized the IS-year reign of Gov. Nelson amendments that would cost taxpayers more money, Rockefeller(R), are.clearly over. and vetoed the proposed equal rights amendment· to the state constitution. New York City's fiscal crisis formed the originally unexpected backdrop for the debate In an election year which featured chief­ surrounding the proposed amendments to the ly local races. the equal rights amendment city's charter that were suggested by a state proved to be the only statewide issue of any commission headed by State Sen. Roy K. Goodman. controversy. Virtually every ~jor political When established in 1972 by then-Gov. Rocke­ figure and newspaper in the state endorsed feller, the State Charter Revision Commission E.R.A •• opposition came mainly from the Con­ was seen as a vehicle for dampening the Presi­ servative Party and several Catholic groups. dential ambitions of then-Mayor John V. Lind­ Some of the more militant opposition organiza­ say(D). However. in a responsible manner, the tions distributed literature charging that "a bipartisan commission set about to decentralize vote for E.R.A. is a vote against the family" the delivery of municipal services and provide and a. "vote for homosexual marraiges." Femin­ minor reforms in governmental structure and ist and other gro~ps attempted to rebut these finances. claims. of course, as well as assuage the ill­ founded fears that passage of E.R.A. would lead But by the time the commission's formal inexorably to coed bathrooms. Some of the recommendations were presented to the public lavatory'legends must have lingered, however, this past August, decentralization had taken for the amendment lost by a vote of 1.775,000 the back seat, and the proposed fiscal reforms to 1,365,000. took the spotlight. In a political compromise with some of the Democratic commission members, While it was expected that normally con­ the commission placed ten charter amendments servative upstate voters would reject E.R.A., on the ballot but only recommended the first few observers believed that the amendment would six. These six would enhance the City· Coun­ lose in the downstate suburbs and upstate ur­ cil 's power at the expense of the mayor. man­ ban areas as badly as it did-E.R.A •.1ost date fiscal reforms, and give local neighbor­ Monroe County, which contains the mildy liberal hoods a greater voice in community planning city of Rochester by a staggering 2-1 margin. and municipal service delivery. To the surprise of E.R.A. supporters, the amendment carried only the five counties of New Sen. Goodman, a progressive Republican York City. from Manhattan, and his top aide, John Steele, coordinated a vigorous campaign with state With the specter of New York default funds to publicize the existence of charter haunting the daily headlines, voters were sus­ amendments on the ballot. A separate Citi­ picious of any ballot proposition that called zens' Committee, headed by Archibald L. Gillies, for increased borrowing or taxation. They re­ urged the adoption of the first six. recommended jected constitutional amendments involving mun­ amendments; the commission itself was barred by icipal financing for sewers, a statewide uni­ state law from advocating a "yes" or "no" vote fied court system, increased taxes for public on particular amendments. Mayor Abraham Beame employee pensions, and authorization for a bond opposed all ten proposals; Gov. Carey approved issue to finance housing for the elderly. How­ only the first three; the New York T~es and ever, two politically significant amendments Post adopted the commission's recommendations; were approved: one establishes a state commis­ various citizens and' good-government groups sion to investigate judicial misconduct. and the were split on the proposals. To the surprise of other permits the legislature to call itself in­ many observers, the voters did approve the first to session, as is now allowed in a majority of six propos~s while rejecting the remaining states. Previously, only the governor could sum­ four. The Times editorial analyzing the elec­ mon the legislature back into session. Now, tion's impact a few days later suggested:"Mayor with the concurrence of two-thirds of the Sen­ Beame and his aides chose to oppose reform••• ate and Assembly, the legislature may reconvene and to make a political issue of Sen. Goodman's in special session in an attempt to override a suspected aspiration to run for mayor in 1977. The voters' response constitutes a powerful re­ county legislature by an 11-7 margin. Suffolk buff to the mayor and his policies and a boost used to be one of the most Republican counties for Mr. Goodman, who has demonstrated an impres­ in the state, but last year Democrats picked up sive capacity for leadership ..... In the wake all three congressional seats as well as the of the election, Goodman has opted to keep the district attorney's office. This year's gains commission in business to implement the reforms. spell trouble for GOP county leader Edwin S. Beame, however, is determined to run the refor­ Schwenk. One bright spot for Republicans was mation from City Hall. the reelection of County Executive John V.N. Klein, who had attracted favor~b'le publicity"fo As expected, Democrats retained their hold his efforts to stem urbanization and preserve in other city elections, winning state Supreme the remaining rural areas of the county. In Court judgeships, the Bronx and Staten Island the eyes of many political observers, Klein's district attorneys' offices, and elections to victory makes him a potential statewide candi­ fill vacancies for one State Assembly and two date. State Assembly Minority Leader Perry B. City Council seats. Unexpectedly, however, Dem­ Duryea, Jr., another Suffolk resident who would ocrats made strong inroads in the formerly Re­ like to be a statewide candidate, might face publican bastion of Westchester County to the some future difficulties---as evidenced by the north of the city. Two years ago, voters ele~ election of a Democrat this year for the local ted a popular Democrat, Alfred B. De1Bello, as legislative seat in his home district. county executive, and this year they trimmed the Republican margin on the Board of Legisla­ Had he not been indicted uu an alleged tors to a 9-8 margin. In nearby suburban Rock­ election law fraud in 1974, Duryea, then speak­ land County, Democrats· also gained in local er of the Republican-controlled Assembly, might elections. have challenged Gov. Malcolm Wilson in that year's GOP primary. Duryea's supporters Democrats in Nassau County had hoped to claimed the indictment was politically inspired continu~ the advances made last year, but they by former Gov. Rockefeller to facilitate the ran up against one of the strongest Republican election of Wilson, who had been Rockefeller's political machines in the nation, that of As­ lieutenant governor for 15 years. Duryea's semblyman/GOP County Chairman Joseph M. Margi­ charge was dismissed in two months when the otta. At issue this year/was a ballot propos­ section of the law on which the indictment had ition that would have mandated a change in coun­ been based was declared unconstitutional. Now county governmental structure from a six-man a similar occupational hazard has befallen the Board of Supervisors (one supervisor from each current Assembly speaker, Democrat Stanley town in the county) to a l5-member county leg­ Steingut. Steingut (whose father, Irwin, was islature (with members from equal population also an Assembly speaker) and his son, New York districts). To account for population dis­ City Councilman Robert Steingut, were indicted crepancies between towns, the current board,n by Brooklyn District Attorney Eugene Gold for which consists of four Republicans and two Dem­ allegedly promising a patronage job to someone ocrats, has a weighted voting system that gives In return for a contribution to the son's cam­ the Republicans 128 votes tp the Democrats' paign two years ago. Since the indictment is' five. Needless to say, the GOP strongly urged based on an obscure section of the statutes the retention of the Board of Supervisors. The (last used in a 1915 prosecution), the specu­ Democrats, the League of Women Voters, and many lation is that this charge---1ike Duryea's--­ newspapers advocated the change, but the Repub­ is politically motivated. The elder Steingut licans struck a responsive chord with their has no realistic hopes of further political ad­ claim that the proposed legislature would cost vancement, but his son and D.A. Gold do have more, and the measure went dOWn to defeat. such hopes. Gold, in fact, is reported to have just spent $18,000 on a statewide poll to see Further out on Long Island, Suffolk County if he should run for Sen. James Buckley's seat Democrats succeeded in taking control of the in 1976. II

THE RIPON SOCIETY INC ts a Republican researc:h anc:l Ripon Soc1ety, unless they are ezpllclt1y so labelled. , • policy organization whose SUBSCRIPTION RATES are $15 a year, $7.50 for students, serv­ members are young business, academic anCi j)l"Ofessionai men and icemen, and for Peace Cbrps, Vista and other volunteers. Overseas women. It has national h~ers In Dfetrlc:t of Columbia, air mail, $6 extra. Advertising rates on request. Please allow chapters In fifteen clties, National Assoc1ate members throughout five weeks for address changes. the fifty states, and several affiliated groups of subc:hapter status. The SOciety ts supported by chapter dues, Individucil contribu­ tions and revenues from its publications anc:l contrac:t work. Editorl Dick Behn THE RIPON FORUM is. publis~ed semi-monthly by the RIPQn SOCIety, Inc., 1609 Conn. Ave., Editorial Board: N.W., Washington, D.C. 20009. Second class postage rates paid at Robert D. Behn, Chairman Tanya MeUch Washington, D.C. and other mailing offices. Contents are copy­ Clifford Brown Robert G. Stewart righted © 1975 by the Ripon Society, Inc. Correspondence addressed Robert H. Donaldson Ralph Thayer to the editor is welcomed. (Ripon FORUM, Box 226, Charlestown, Mass. 02129.) Contributing Editors: Cilliord Brown, Glenn Gerstell, W!lIlClDl A. In publfshing this magazine the Ripon Soc1ety seeks to provide Koelsch, Daniel J. Swillinger, Josiah Lee Auspitz, Richard W. Rahn, a forum for fresh ideas, well-researc:bed proposaIs and fora spirit John A. Rehfuss, Thomas A. Sargent, Richard Cleveland, Mark of crilic1sm, Innovation, and independent tlilnIdng within the Re­ Frazier, Peter Berg, Martin Sours, and William K. Woods. publican Party. Articles do not li8c:essarily represent the oplnion Of the NationCzl Goveming Board. or the Editorial Board. of the Technical Editor: Brian J. McCarthy POLITICS: PRESIDENCY IS THERE AN EDSEL IN FORD f S FUTURE?

Subsequent to Vice President Rockefeller's cination with a very real threat on his right," announcement of non-candidacy, Democratic Na­ Mathias told a National Press Club luncheon that tional Chairman Robert Strauss told reporters the failure of the GOP to develop and push new that Ronald Reagan would be a tougher GOP pres­ solutions to the nation's problems was killing idential candidate than Gerald Ford. After all, the party. A Mathias candidacy at the very noted Strauss, "Reagan wouldn't have to run on least would jeopardize a Ford delegation from Ford's record." Ford's actions meanwhile--­ Maryland. particularly on aid to New York City-prompted the conservative weekly Human Events to caption Massachusetts: U.S.Rep. Silvio Conte(R) an editorial:"Ford Continues to 'Reaganize' has been appointed to lead the Ford effort but Campaign." action by the state GOP committee switching del­ egate selection to a proportional congressional Meanwhile, Reagan's forces have been Reagan­ district system will make it eas.ier for Reagan zing the GOP. One alleged reason for Rocky drop­ to pick up delegates. ping a vice presidential bid were GOP polls in Mississippi: This state is normally consid­ Connecticut and Minneapolis that showed Rockefel­ ered Reagan country so perhaps the result of a ler had only a 38 percent favorable rating com­ poll of GOP leaders isn't surprising: Reagan, pared to a 49 percent favorable rating for Rea­ 304; Ford, 222. And Ronnie hadn't even announced. gan in Minnesota and.a 46 percent such rating in Connecticut. Other-signs of Ford trouble follow: Nebraska: A group of 40 prominent Nebraska Republicans has signed on to run the Reagan Florida: With former GOP Chairman Tommy campaign for the Nebraska primary. Former GOP Th~mas running the Reagan campaign, Reagan or­ State Chairman Milan Bish heads the effort, aided ganizer Lyn Nofziger says,"We think things by a large cross-section of Republican officials look very good down there." Regarding Rea­ and office-holders. The Nebraska organization gan's efforts to attract moderates, Nofziger is fairly typical of the jump Reagan organizers says "We'll go after anybody who's willing to have gotten over Ford activists in several support, the governor'f s point 0 v i ewe " states. Illinois: Reagan activists may give the Percy-led Ford operation a run for the money. New York: GOP leaders in effect . unendorsed Commented Chicago columnist Edward S. Gilbreth Ford by deciding at a recent meeting to attempt recently:"[Reagan organizer Mark Rhoads] and to send a "united and uncommitted" delegation scores of men and women like him in the under- to the 1976 convention. Rocky's departure has 30 crowd in the prosperous suburbs, constitute obviously weakened Ford's strength in the state. Reagan's secret weapon in Illinois. College­ There is no evidence of a Ford campaign organi­ bred, business-oriented, intensely conservative, zation, but Ford fundraiser Gustave L. Levy, they form a network of activists that would head of the the investment banking firm o~ Gold­ shame some of the Republican Party's lethargic man, Sachs, & Co., is having trouble raising township organizations." cash because of Ford's default stand. Kentucky: Ford cancelled a gubernatorial North Carolina: A head-on and critical fundraiser for Robert Gable in October and de­ clash is scheduled for this state with Gov. clined to reschedule the event in Lexington or James Holshouser(R) leading the Ford effort and Frankfort instead of strife-ridden Louisville, Sen. Jesse A. Helms(R) leading the Reagan oper­ which security officials felt might be danger­ ation. The primary should revive the moderate­ ous for Ford. Republican officials and party conservative split in the party. Helms is ex­ workers are quite angry with Ford and many pected to pick up substantial support. have switched to Reagan. Former Gov. Louie Nunn is leading the Reagan effort while Ford Texas: Former Texas Gov. John {:onnally (D-R) still has no organization and about as much is looking toward Pennsylvania Avenue and trying enthusiasm following the resignation of Nunn's to act both Presidential and Republican. That brother Lee as Ford's deputy national chief. act could be a difficult one to top if Connally enters the Texas GOP primary. ~: Former Sen. Margaret Chase Smith(R) has a reputation as a moderate but she says Utah: A poll by the Salt Lake City Tribune Ford has been "disappointing," while Reagan in early November showed Ford leading Reagan by "is telling it like it is." a bare 37-35 percent with 25 percent undecided. Maryland: Sen. Charles McC. Mathias(R), Virginia: In case anyone is interested, one of the nation's most respected progressive Sen. William L. Scott(R) says he won't "rule Republicans, has threatened to enter the GOP out" a Reagan-Scott ticket. presidential race. Complaining of Ford's "fas- EXPERTS AND CANDIDATES: HOW TO CHOOSE A PRESIDENT COlDlDenlary: TBE PRESIDEICY By Iu. Scott Miller

ideally, during next year'~ Presidential 4. The socio-economic costs and benefits campaign, candidates will forthrightly debate of each; several of the most pressing issues and in the 5. Appropriate criteria for selecting the process furnish interested voters with much of "best" solution; the information necessary for a sound evalua- 6. The preferred solution; tion of each aspirant's leadership ability. Re­ 7. The time and resources required for its cent election experience, however, suggests that proper implementation; we should not assume the campaign will be either. 8. The likelihood of its success; and pos­ issue-oriented or otherwise provide many genuine sibly; opportunities for a thorough comparison of candi­ 9. Its political feasibility. dates' executive credentials. Instead, a more realistic. expectation for voters is that "Cam­ By having the discussions center on a n~ paign '76" probably will be long on media drama ber of these steps, voters should gain valuable and short on decision-making substance. information concerning several aspects of each candidate's executive ability which probably Despite this less than sanguine forecast, could not be obtained easily from "normal" cam­ the FCC's recent modification of the equal-time paign events. More specifically, assuming the rule for political candidates offers at least a issues selected for' discussion are genuinely prospect for improving the quality of next difficult and require a substantial degree of year's campaign debate. The FCC's new ruling knowledge of one or more technical subjects, will allow broadcasters to cover third-party then decision-oriented questions should provide sponsored discussions between particular candi­ significant insights into each aspirant's abil­ dates as news events without having to worry ity to retain competent advisors as well as about other aspirants' demands for equal time. each's capacity to select/evaluate/use informa­ Although full repeal of the equal-time rule tion and recommendations provided by those coun­ probably would have maximized the potential for selors, head-to-head political debates, ·this more l~ ited rollback provides ample opportunity to If the experts' interrogation requires as­ bring candidates together in traditional or in­ pirants to definitely state both their preferred novative discussion formats which can be seen solutions and the decision rules used to select and heard by virtually all voters. them, then the electorate might obtain very tan­ gible and immediate understanding of how each One possible format that might go a long candidate's political philosophy and value sys­ way toward focusing the 1976 Presidential cam­ tem may tend to influence the choice of specific paign on key issues and candidates' executive policies. Finslly, to the extent that an issue credentials would be to have the principal can­ under discussion is characterized by uncertain- . didates and panels of experts engage in a ser­ ty, voters may be able to observe candidates' ies of televised discussions, each of which behavior in a situation in which an honest, would concentrate on a single national problem. forthright leader would be compelled to admit In practical terms, these discussions might be his/her analytical limitations. In turn, the considered the electoral equivalent of job in­ electorate may acquire more appreciation of the terviews. During each of these sessions, vo­ complex trade-offs associated with most major ters---via the experts' questioning of the as­ issues---and in the process, develop more rea­ pirants-would__ have an opportunity to compare sonable expectations concerning what any Presi­ and contrast in a systematic, convenient way dent and government can achieve. each candidate's basic understanding of/posi­ tion on a carefully selected issue. Admittedly, any voter conclusions drawn from these discussions should be used with cau­ Comparision of the candidates' views would tion. Even with the most comprehensive set of be facilitated by having the experts focus questions, a particular candidate may perform their questions almost exclusively on the var­ successfully by employing a combination of char­ ious steps in the decision-making process that isma and rote memeory. It should also be recog­ should be employed by an able executive politi­ nized that selection of good'advisors for a de­ cian when attempting to handle a public policy bate may signify nothing more than the ability problem of some difficulty and importance. For to pick a capable "kitchen cabinet," which is. example, the interrogation could be designed to a valuable but limited skill when contrasted elicit the candidates' views on the following: with a President's task of staffing the execu­ 1. The nsture and causes of the specific tive branch. Of course, other key leadership problem; traits, such as the ability to motivate subor­ 2. Its relative importance vis-a-vis other dinates to carry out decisions or the capacity issues; to work/negotiate with independent groups such 3. Possible alternative solutions: as a Congress would not be exnlored at all dur- ing such discussions. standing of each candidate's stance on the 1S­ sue and the candidates would comment on the ac­ In order to maximize the opportunity for curacy of these summaries. the electorate to obtain the benefits outlined above, the series of discussions might be struc­ Although discussion structured'in the above tured in the following way: way could improve substantially the quality of * There would be three discussions in all, debate during a Presidential election, there one every third week during the latter part of wo~ld be at least three potential sources of the campaign. major controversy: (1) selection of the is~ues' ~ Each discussion would be one-hour long (2) selection of the pands of experts; and (3) and centered on one issue, e.g., unemployment, determination of eligible candidates. Of the detente, or welfare reform. three, selection of the issues may be the eas­ * Discussions would be aired twice to in­ iest task. For example, issues could be selec­ sure maximum exposure, once (live) in the even­ ted in the following way: ing and once (via video tape) in the morning. * A nonpartisan organization such as the Radio could supplement the televised broadcasts League of Women Voters, the American Bar Associa­ as could newspaper transcripts of the debates. tion, or the Society of Professional Journalists * A panel of five experts would be selec­ might agree to sponsor the discussion series. ted for each discussion who would represent a * The sponsoring organization would select diverse set of viewpoints on the particular is­ a nonpartisan group of twelve eminent citizens, sue. A broadcast journalist also would be se­ representing a diverse set of interests and view­ lected for each session to act as moderator. points, to act as an "issue board."This group * The major questions to be examined dur­ probably should be established in the early ing each discussion session would be developed spring of 1976. by the experts with the assistance of the mod­ * The board would develop a master list of erator and submitted to the candidates by the fifteen major issues. middle of August. * After formulation of this list, a nation­ * In addition to the list of major ques­ ally-recognized pollster would take a scientific tions, the experts also would provide the can­ sample to ascertain voters' opinions concernin~ didates with: (a) an explanation of how the the relative importance of these issues. A sim­ questions should be interepreted; (b) and esti­ ple ranking. of the fifteen issues by those s~ mate of the total amount of time expected to pled would be the most efficient method for es­ be allocated to each one (as well as associated tablishing their order of importance. Voters follow-up questions); and (c) the amount of included in the sample would be allowed to add time the candidates would have to present their their own issues to the list. The poll proba­ prepared answers. Presumably, candidates' pre­ bly should be taken in early summer. pared answers would be relatively short, typi­ * The top three issues as determined by cally about two-three minutes, leaving substan­ the poll would be selected for use in the dis­ tial time for follow-up questions and answers. cussions in the fall. However, if all three * Candidates would be required to focus issues were related to the same general subject, strictly qn the questions, making no reference e.g., the economy, one could be dropped and an­ in any way to the positions taken by other other substituted from the masterlist by a two­ candidates. Although enforcement of this rule third votes of the nonpartisan group. This would be difficult, a possible incentive for would insure that.the discussions would not compliance might be to reduce a candidate's cluster in one subject area. total response time during a discussion by one minute for each such reference. If the use of the nonpartisan group proves * Each candidate would furnish the experts acceptable for selecting the issues, it could with copies of his/her prepared answers at least alos provide the basis for selecting the panel one week before the discussion. This would en­ of experts. Once the five issues are chosen, able the panel to use the candidates' answers the group would assume responsibility for selec­ ,to develop a follow-up question strategy as well ting the experts •. To insure that a broad spec­ as prepare some preliminary comments on the sim­ trum of opinion is represented by the experts, ilarities and differences in the aspirants' posi­ a two-third majority of the advisory group would tions on the issues. To assure that the commen- . be required to appoint a member to a particular tary would be both balanced and eXpeditiously panel. made, two experts could be assigned follow-up responsibility for each major question. Determining the eligibility of candidates * Experts would have no mandate to draw could be difficult if there are several third conclusions during the discussion as to which party aspirants. A simple and effective ap­ candidate's answers were "best." However, they proach, however, might be to make eligibility could note (collectively or .individualiy) dif­ contingent on a candidate meeting two of the ferences between their knowledge of the facts following three criteria~ and the facts assumed by the candidates. * Being placed on the ballot in at least * During the last 15 minutes of a discus­ 90 percent of the states; sion. the exoerts would summarize their under- * His/her party's candidates in the prev- ious election receiving at least 5 percent of sions described above could increase substantia the vote; and/or ly the common data base concerning candidates' * Receiving 5 percent of voter support as exectuvie c,redentials available to the elector­ determined by a scientific sample taken in ate. Should such discussions prove to be usef early August. the basic approach probably could be modified/e panded in several ways to provide voters with A minimum standard such as this would be much more information of value. For example, i necessary to insure that only signficiant can­ conjunction with the disucssions between candi­ didates for the Presidency participate in the dates and experts, a separate series of televi­ discussions. It would be desirable, of course, sion roundtable discussions could be added in to allow candidates from very sam1l parties to which the panels of experts answer their own join in the discussions; however, this really questions. These roundtables could give the would not be possible under television time ' electorate an additional means for evaluating constraints. ,the positions of the various candidates. I If adopted, the system of televised discus-

Contributor Notes: L. Scott Mille~ is vice president for research for the New York Ripon Chapter. Glenn Gerstell is board chairman for the New York Ripon Chapter and national vice.pfesi~ent for pub­ lic Ripon Treasurer Vicki Golden has been appointed BOI Z26, Charlestown, Mass. conference 'director for the 1976 Ripon Issues Con- L-__~~~~~~ ______~ ______~~~ __~ ference. The conference, which will be held Febru- ary 27-29, 1976 at the Stouffers Hotel in Washington, D.C., will feature issue panels on redress­ ing the balance between risk and security; neighborhood revitalization; individual rights versus the public interest; and energy and the environment. Further information will be available from Golden • • Acting after a meeting of the Executive Committee of the National Governing Board in New York City October 18, Ripon president Jared Kaplan wrote President Ford urging "the Congress and your administration to support legislation that would provide a federal guarantee for appropriate state or municipal securi~ies, on the condition that the City of New York immediately adopt an expense budget in which current expenditures do not exceed current revenues." Commenting on the probability of default despite expense cutbacks, Kaplan said, "We believe the [city] budget can be balanced with­ in one year, rather than within the proposed three. Were this to be done, we hope the federal gov­ ernment would act quickly to guarantee the appropriate securities. 'Only the backing of a federal guarantee will enable a sufficient amount of bonds to be sold, thus generating the cash so desper­ ately needed to meet the city's obligations." Regarding the political implications of Ford's de­ fault position, Kaplan said:''We urge you to reject the counsel of those who would premise federal action upon short-term political calculations. Such an approach can be pursued only at the great peril of a potential national economic collapse following the city's default." • Former Ripon national officer Bruce Chapman won election as Washington secretary of state in the November elections and Minnesota Ripon member Walter Rockenstein won reelection to the Minneapolis City Council. • GOP congressional candidate Bob Olsen was the speaker at the Nashville Chapter's October 15 meet­ ing. Republican National Committee Chairman Mary Louise Smith was scheduled to be the speaker at the November 17 meeting of the Washington, D.C. chapter. Terrence Brunner, executive director of the Better Government Association, was the speaker at the Chicago Chapter's September 16 meeting. The scheduled speaker for the November 20 meeting of the ~ Chapter was State Rep. Don Fried­ man(R). The Denver chapter has scheduled its' Conference on Energy for February 6-8. State Senate ~ority Leader Warren Anderson (R) was the New York Chapter's speaker in September; State Sen. Roy Goodman and City Housing and Development Administrator Roger Starr debated the pros and cons, respectively, of the proposed city charter amendments at the chapter's October meeting. • Nancy W. Hunt, New York chapter executive vice president for policy, and Glenn Gerstell, New York chapter hoard chairman, were unopposed candidates in the September GOP primary elections for dis­ trict leader and associate district leader respectively in Manhattan's East Side. In an adjoining district, New York chapter executive vice president for political action Carmen L. Steele, was also a successful candidate for district leader. • Michael Stafford, New York Ripon member and counsel to State Sen. John R. Dunne(R), and Ripon Vice President for Publications Clifford Brown were panelists at the November 8 meeting of the Association of New York State Young Republican Clubs in Syracuse. RIPON FORUM Published semi-monthly by the Ripon Society, 1609 Conn. Ave" N.W., Wash­ ington, D.C. 20009. Second class post­ age paid at Washington. D.C. and other mailing offi!!es.