AND BOWARD BAIER

JANUARY 15, 1977 VOL. XIII, No. 2 50 CENTS

EDITORIAL: GOP NEEDED: VACANCIES AT THE TOP

Editorial Note: The following letter will search diligently to publicize was addressed to President Ford by the views of other GOP leaders. Yet, Ripon President Glenn S. Gerstell it is precisely these leaders on whom prior to President Ford's January 5 the hopes for the future electoral suc­ meeting with Vice President Rocke­ cess of the party depend. feller, Governor Reagan, and Gover­ nor Connally: You personally have done a great deal to ease the burden of Watergate The Ripon Society has great re­ carried by the GOP. Yet it is inevi­ spect for the experience and leader­ table that voters will conti"nue to as­ ship represented by yourself and the sociate the problems of the past dec­ three other party leaders with whom ~de with the pOliticians who were prom­ you have met in the recent past and inent in that decade. If the voters are expected to meet shortly. With all due respect, however, Ripon be­ lieves that the most important task faced by your group of party leaders is to turn over the leadership of the party to a new generation of elected GOP officials in the most visible possible fashion.

With the possible exception of Governor Connally, it appears unlike­ ly that any member of your group will again seek high elected office. But your years of government service and public visibility make it inevitable that the press will turn to you and your associates to represent the views of the Republican Party in the near future. As long as the four of you are seen as the primary spokesmen for the GOP and its views on national and world affairs, the emergence of other Republican leaders as spokes­ persons for the party will be stifled.

To state this fact is not a cri­ ticism of you or other other members of the group: it is simply a recogni­ tion of political reality and the way that the American press covers the news. You are all articulate, exper­ ienced politicians. As long as the four of you seem representative of the major viewpoints in the Republican Party, it is unlikely that the press are to turn to the Republican Party as a party of innovative and practical solutions to public problems, it needs new faces with which to associate these ideas. The recent trend of the voters in both parties seems to indicate a disposition to turn to less familiar, less experienced names when voting for high elective office. Indeed, some of the GOP's surprising Senate gains this past year were indicative of that trend.

And so, Ripon hopes that you will not deprive the party of your leader­ ship and experience, but it also hopes that you and your colleagues will step deliberately into the party's back­ ground and let a new generation of leaders emerge to capture the imagin­ ation and attention of the public. There are many such leaders for the GOP has consistently demonstrated its ability to attract capable senators and governors. Men like James Thomp­ son, Pierre du Pont, Harrison Schmitt, Malcolm Wallop, John Heinz; and John Chafee are merely the most recent seek office at all governmental lev~ representatives of this generation to els. reach high elected office. When you and your colleagues/ organize the Re­ Clearl~, a decision to foresake publican Coordinating council, we the preeminent leadership of the par­ hope that the names of these and oth­ ty is One that only you gentlemen cari er members of the GOP's younger lead­ take. But Ripon earnestly believes ership will be prominently represent­ that abdication of exclusive party ed. Further, we hope that the pri­ leadership would constitute respon­ mary task of this council will be sible party leadership in the truest the pressing need to recruit addi­ sense at this point in the Republican tional capable, young men and men to Party's history. •

EDITORIAL: Carter Cabinet MEMO TO THE SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE

Editorial Note: The Ripon Society ad­ judge and as a private citizen, we are dressed the following memorandum to­ not entering here into a detailed dis­ the Senate JUdiciary Committee prior cussion of that record. Rather, we to the commencement of confirmation wish to draw your attention to the sym­ hearings January 11. bolic importance of his nomination as Attorney General. The nomination marks The Ripon Society wishes to ex­ a return to the pattern of political press its grave reservations concern­ cronyism and partisanship in the Jus­ ing the qualifications of Griffin B. tice Department that has all too often Bell for the office of Attorney Gener­ compromised and corrupted our Constitu­ al of the : tional system.

While as a Republican organiza­ While we do not question the tion strongly committed to our party's right of ~ President to nominate a tradition of upholding civil rights close friend as Attorney General, we and liberties, we are concerned by are disturbed in that this particular what we view as Mr. Bell's uninspiring one fails to meet the nation's needs record in these areas as a federal and expectations. Having made the quality of Cabinet officers a major cam­ ination by promising to appoint blacks paign issue, Governor Carter had the ob­ to high positions in the Justice Depart­ ligation to nominate, in his own :words, ment. In so doing, they appear to view "the best qualified candidate." This the matter as merely a dispute over traditional obligation has now acquired patronage. a special significance with respect to the office of Attorney General in light We therefore urge the Republican of the need to continue the restoration members of the JUdiciary Committtee to of legitimacy to the Justice Department appraise Mr. Bell in the light of what after the disgrace of Watergate. we feel are the nation's needs and ex­ pectations. If, after your considered It is critical that the Attorney evaluation of his record and the testi­ General avoid even the appearance of mony presented at the Committee's hear­ a conflict of interest in the dis­ ings, it appears that the nomination charge of his duties as the nation's fails to meet those needs and expecta­ highest legal officer. As a long-time tions, we trust you will vote against political confidant of the President­ his confirmation. elect, Mr. Bell's discharge of those duties might have the appearance of To the Democrats of the Committee, being tailored to political exigencies we respectfully offer the same advice rather than to the independent author­ and ask that you not adopt a double ity of the law. This potential becomes standard. Most of you applauded Ripon's the more troublesome when it is coupled criticism of the politicization of the with Mr. Bell's stated predisposition Justice Department during the Nixon toward broad presidential powers. In years. We trust you will not tole~ate united States v. Brown, 484 F.2d 418 a similar potential in a new Adminis­ (5th Cir.1973) then Circuit Judge Bell tration of your own party. asserted without significqnt qualifica­ tion that the President could authorize Our nation is entitled to an At­ wiretaps on the grounds of gathering torney General whose first responsibil­ foreign intelligence without obtaining ity is to the principled enforcement prior judicial approval. Judge Bell's of the law, rather than the political broad assertion evidently led another advancement of the President. This judge on the court, Irving Goldberg, country had reason to expect the nomina­ to file a separate concurring opinion tion of an Attorney General of the sta­ in the same case which cautioned against ture of an Elliot Richardson or an Ed­ such warrantless wiretaps and urged ju­ ward Levi. It deserves better than dicial limitation on any exercise of Griffin Bell .• such unqualified presidential power.

President-elect Carter has attri­ Correction: Maine was omitted from the buted criticism of Mr. Bell to the delegate apportionment chart in the fact that Mr. Bell is a southerner. December 1, 1976 FORUM. The state was Such a claim is an insult to the many included in the regional totals for exceptionally qualified lawyers and the North; it will have 20 delegates jurists throughout the South. Presi­ in 1980---the same number as in 1976. dent-elect Carter and Mr. Bell have Under Ripon's proposed plan, the state tried to mollify opponents of this nom- would have 16 delegates.

Ripon Society, unless they are expUcitly so labelled. THE RIPON SOClm, INC.lspo~~~~h':: SUBSCRIPTION RATES are $15 a year. $'1.50 for students, serv­ membem are young business, academic ana j)lOfessional men and icemen, and for Peace Corps, Vista and other volunteers. Overseas -. It hcJs national headquarters in District of Columbia, air mail, $6 extra. Advertising rates on request. Please allow ~ in fifteen cities, Natforial Assoc:Iate membem throughout five weeks for address changes. the fifty states, and. several affIlfated groupS of subchapter status. The Society Is supported by chapter dues, fndtvidual contrfbu­ tioDs cmcl revenues from lis publ1C:ationa and contract work. Edlton. Dick Bahn ~ publis~ed semi-monthly by the THE RIPON FORUM Ripqn SocIety, Inc., 1609 Conn.. Ave., Editorial Board: N.W.• Washington, D.C. 20009. Second class postage rates ~id at Robert D. Behn, Chairman Tanya Mellch Washington. D.C. and other mailing offices. Contents are' copy­ Clifford Brown Robert G. Stewart righted © 1976 by the Ripon Society, Inc. Correspondence acfdressed Robert H. Donaldson Ralph Thayer to the eChtor is welcomed. (Ripon FORUM, Box 226. Charlestown, Mass. 02129.) . . Contributing Editors: Clifford Brown. Glenn Gerstell, Wllllcm& A. In PUbIIshfna this magazine the Ripl)n ~ seeks to provide Koelsch, Daniel J. Swillinger, Josiah Lee Auspitz, Richard W. Rrthn, a fonDii for fresIi ideas, well-researched. pro and for a spirit lohn A. Rehfuss, Thomas A. Sargent, Richard Cleveland, Mark at c:riIicfaJII, fnDovatlon,and. Independent th1nking within the lj.e­ Frazier. Peter Berg, Martin Sours, and William K. Woods. pubJIcaa Party. Articles do not Dec:essarily represent the opfnlon at the NaIIcmi:rl Governing Board or the Editorial Board of the Tec:hnic:al Editor: Brian J. McCarthy 'S LUCK CHANGES POLITICS: Tennessee by Dick Behn

The health and prospects of the al delegation, control only about one­ Tennessee Republican Party have de­ third of both houses of the state leg­ clined precipitously since the GOP islature, and provided only 43 percent achieved its high water ~rk in the of the vote for in the 1976 elections pf 1970 and 1972. The for­ presidential race. The situation con­ tunes of the GOP had risen steadily trasts dramatically with the post-1972 during the 1960s. The party was a days when both Baker and Brock were model for spectacular GOP growth in mentioned as presidential candidates the South as the following statistics and Dunn was talked about as vice pres­ attest: idential material. * In 1960, Democrats controlled the State Senate by a 27-6 margin. By The GOP's ill luck has grown in 1972, the Democrats had only a 17-15 the presence of a Democratic Party edge. which is unified only in comparison * In 1960, the Democrats had an with the fragmented days of the 19608 80-19 lead in the House of Representa­ when Republicans approached their hey­ tives. Even that was a three vote­ day. It is true that state Democrats gain over the GOP's representation in have learned that it is better to win the previous legislature. The GOP con­ than to lose and that if the party tinued to gain in all but one of the is to have a shot at winning, member next six elections until in 1972, the Democrats must refrain from overtly Democrats had only a 51-48 margin. st~ckihg knives in each others' backs. * In 1960, the GOP had only two This has been a hard lesson for the of the nine-member cQngressional del­ .Democrats to g~asp and the strains are egation and won only 32 percent of the still obvious. The Tennessee Demo­ congressional vote. By 1972, the GOP cratic Party is not so much unified had a 5-3 edge in the delegation and as it is in a state of peaceful coex­ 54 percent of the congressional vote. istence with itself. As the Memphis * In 1958, the GOP gubernator­ Commercial Aepeal's Robert Kellett ial candidate against pointed out 1n a recent article, Ten­ won a piddling 8.3 percent of the nesseepolitics seems to encourage the vote and the 1962 candidate against formation of a large number of rival Gov. Frank G. Clement did scarcely Democratic powers: better with 16 percent. By 1966, the GOP didn't even bother to contest the * Sen. James Sasser, a Middle reelection of Ellington. But in 1970 Tennessee resident who was state par­ won the governorship ty chairman before resigning to run for the GOP with 52 percent of the against Brock in 1976. Sasser owes a vote. lot of IOUs to various factions of * Similarly, the GOP barely the Democratic Party, but as an ear­ cracked 30 percent in the Senate elec­ ly Carter supporter from a state tions between 1952 and 1960, but nev-' which gave the new President a win­ er dropped below 46 percent in the ing percentage exceeded only by Geor­ 1960s, electing Howard Baker with 56 gia and Arkansas, he should have a percent in 1966 and William Brock with friend on Pennsylvania Avenue. 51 percent in 1970. By 1972, Baker won reelection with a whopping 62 per­ * Gov. , a West Ten­ cent of the vote. nessee congressman before he unsuccess­ * In the presidential contests, fully challenged Baker for the Senate Republicans were fairly consistent in 1972. Blanton's administration has throughout the 1950s and 1960s, hov­ been plagued by controversy; Brock ering in the 45-55 percent range un­ tried to salvage his Senate campaign til it dropped to 38 percent with in 1976 by tying Sasser to Blanton. Blanton has not helped his own cause in 1968. Nixon rebound­ by periodically attacking fellow Dem­ ed to capture 68 percent in 1972. ocrats and adopting a Nixonesque siege mentality. As one Democratic legisla­ The situation faced today by the tor has observed, "The whole problem with Tennessee GOP is much less cheery. The this administration, from the top man Republicans lost the governorship in on down is arrogance." One of the lat­ 1974, lost Brock's Senate seat in 1976, est problems Blanton has created for are outnumbered 5-3 in the conqression- himself was the reinstatement ot '!'rans­ * , an East Tennes­ portation Commissioner Eddie Shaw, a see banker who lost the gubernatorial Blanton political ally, despite Shaw's nomination to Blanton in 1974 by 17,00 indictment last October for alleged votes. Butcher, who controls a spec­ conspiracy to defraud the state. A re­ tacularly expansive string of 13 banks cent UPI survey of state legislators, in Kentucky and Tennessee, was a key with whom the governor has frequently supporter and financial backer of Sas­ quarreled, indicated Blanton was given ser in 1976. He is considered a prime negative ratings by over half the 1eg~ 1978 gubernatorial prospect. is1ature. As UPI noted,"In the two years [of its existence] more members * House Speaker Ned Ray McWher­ of Blanton's administration have been ter, who has often been mentioned as indicted by grand juries than during a potential candidate for statewide the previous 20 years ••• " Setting the office but never run. He has helped stage for this year's legislative bat- . consolidate the Democrats' legislative t1es, Republican Sen. said: majorities as the foundation for the "I consider the corruption of the Blan­ party's resurgence while avoiding ton Administration to be a major issue any more intraparty legislative fric­ which the legislature must face in the tion than Gov. Blanton provoked. coming session ••• lt is obvious that Governor Blanton prefers to cover up * State Senate Speaker John Wild­ his scandals instead of uncovering er, who has worked closely with McWher­ them. In an editorial, the Memphis ter to help stabilize the party's Commercial Appeal observed:"B1anton's strength in the legislature. politicizing of the machinery of state guvernment has pushed steadily ahe~d * Former gubnernatoria1 aspirant despite storms over patronage, fam11y Bill Farris (1962) , now chairman of the favors, cronyism, extension of civil state Democratic committee and a long­ service to freeze lower level employ­ time West Tennessee political organiz­ ees into the jobs filled since Blanton er. took office two years ago, and the vehicle abuses that forced Blanton to Farris contends that despite the also suspend G.B. 'Sonny' McCarter, his proliferation of Democratic powers, director of surplus property. Blan­ his party is not likely to become com­ ton's compassion and concern should be placent with its recent success:"It is for the taxpayers of Tennessee, not a party that reminds itself of five for friends he's found places for in years ago when our guard was totally state government." Although Blanton down. We cannot afford divisiveness has many enemies within the Democratic beyond the primary and know that." Party, he also has made a lot of patron­ Multi-candidate primaries are a Demo­ age friends. cratic tradition in Tennesseej it is not uncommon to have five or six ser­ * Nashville businessman John Jay ious contenders for statewide office Hooker, who lost both the gubernatorial and a host of also-rans. nomination in 1970 and the Senate nom­ ination in 1974, has acquired something The focus of political attention of the political reputation of the naw­ is the 1978 elections for governor and defunct Minnie Pearl Chicken franchise senator. Blanton is not eligible for operation that he once headed, but he reelection, but appears to be looking still maintains enough statewide forward to a rerun against Sen. Baker. strength to affect the party's future. Although running against Blanton, who received only 38 percent of the vote *Pub1ic Service Commissioner Bob in 1972, is probably the most fortui­ Clement, e1ect~d to his post against a tous circumstance Baker can imagine, GOP tide in 1972. He is heir to the he nevertheless started cutting up the name and loyalties attached to the late governor in the 1976 Senate campaign. Gov. Frank Clement. His interests may At a point when Baker himself was being lie in the governorship or in the Sen­ mentioned as a possible GOP candidate ~te seat that his father lost to Baker for governor in 1978, the state's sen­ in 1966. ior senator picked up Brock's line on Blanton Administration corruption and * Nashville Mayor , said that Watergate "doesn't amount who resigned from Congress to run for to a thing compared to what's going mayor of that Middle Tennessee dity in on now in Nashville." 1975 and who seems headed for a guber­ natorial campaign in 1978. Despite his overwhelming popu­ If the 1976 election repre­ larity, Baker's electoral ambitions sents a trend~ the GOP can no longer have been given some pause by Brock's depend on massive pluralities in East defeat. Undoubtedly, shifting voter Tennessee(where Baker's father and attitudes on issues and Brock's re­ mother were both congresspersons) to luctance to reveal unfavorable tax offset losses in Middle and West Ten­ and financial dealings played a key nessee. However, as the Mem~his Com­ role in the election's outcome but mercial Appeal's Morris Cunn1ngham so did shifting voter allegiances. writes,"Baker enters the prospective Writing shortly after the election, contest with the reputation of being the Memphis Commercial Appeal's wil­ Tennessee's strongest and most able liam Bennett wrote: public figure. Polls consistently Since his ripping victory over reflect his popularity not only in the late Frank Clement in the 1966 but in all of the race for the U.S.Senate, Republican state." Nevertheless, Sasser's elec­ Howard Baker has seemed as American tion has demonstrated that a rela­ and as Tennessean as apple pie, tively unknowrr Democrat can be a ramps, and Southern fried chicken. strong, well-financed Republican in­ In a sense, he has been the bud­ cumbent. Indeed the Democrats' best dy of everybody. Democrats liked bet against Baker may be a relative­ him, Republicans loved him, and in- iy fresh face like that of Public dependents found him pleasant. He Service Commissioner Bob Clement. has been, above all, electable ••• Baker went to the Senate with­ Before his recent election as out an intervening experience in Senate minority leader, it was no the legislature or the U.S.House. means certain that Baker would in And the thought is that he---coming fact even seek reelection. Assess­ from a prominent East Tennessee Re­ ing Baker's ambitions last s~er, publican family, looking like a col­ one progressive Republican Senate lege boy despite his 50-plus years, ~olleague said, "Howard's chances speaking with eloquence and flash­ are very high for 1980 if he wants ing a beguiling smile that would to run. But he's a very balanced man bowl anybody over---could stay with other interests. I can picture there as long as he chooses. him in 1978 saying, 'My 12 years are But hold on a second. Unless a up. I think I'll just go back to good many people miss their guess, Huntsville to practice law and do my things are changing in Tennessee. photography .• ' " As seemingly was proven in the elec­ tion just passed, residents of the Possible retirement was effec­ eastern part of the state aren't tively ruled out by Baker's surprise quite so Republican as they once victory over Michigan Sen. Robert were. Griffin---a victory engineered in large part by a majority of the pro­ gressive Republican Wednesday Club in the Senate led by Sen. Robert Packwood(R-Ore.) and Sen. Charles McC. Mathias(R-Md.). On three pre-. vious occasions, Baker had run for the same post, losing to former Sen. Hugh Scott each time. On three U.S.Rep. Louis Frey, Jr. (R-Fla.), previous occasions, Baker had been 71-63.] prominently considered as a Republi­ can vice presidential nominee. His Baker's new post recharges a reputation for integrity, for arti­ career which seemed becalmed. It culate and forceful public presenta­ gives him new prestige within his tions, and for a principled but prag­ own state in preparation for his matic approach to public problems 1978 reelection campaign and a ready have created a wide following for platform for public visibility. By him in the GOP. Although a moderate­ strengthening Baker's own popularity, conservative, he has frequently been it also strengthens the possibility more popular with progressives than that the GOP might be able to recap­ ideological purist conservatives who ture the governorship behind a can­ have been less than hap~ with his didate like former Baker aide Lamar record on issues like civil rights Alexander (who received 44 percent and broadening the party's base. As of the vote in his 1974 gubernator­ Baker said after his election as min­ ial race) or former State Personnel ority leader:"The center of gravity Commissioner Jane Hardaway(who ran of the party will shift from conser­ a close race for Public Service Com­ vative to liberal from time to time, missioner in 1974). By strengthen­ but it is the individuals who make ing his own state GOP organization, up that balance, rather than the Baker would solidify his base for party itself being conservative or a 1980 presidential campaign. libera1." Although Baker has frequently Baker credited his victory in been jilted in his quest for a na­ part to his ability to transcend tional leadership post, he has man­ ideological lines:"I think a part of ag~d fo overcome the trap of public it had to do with my colleagues' per­ overexposure. He seems to emerge per­ ception of me as beipg moderate-to­ iodically in tpe national limelight, liberal on some issues and conserva­ test its warmth and then retreat tive on others. Maybe that gave sub­ with dignity and amiability into the stance to my claim that a fundamental shadows. He did that once in 1975 tenet of my political philosophy was when he launched a trial presidential that we have a broad-based party, an campaign before quietly scrapping the accommoda_ive spirit, 'and that people effort. He did that again in 1976 have a decent respect for differing when speculation swirled around his points of view." possible selection as the Republican vice presidential nominee. Each time, [Baker's non-ideological vic­ however, Baker seems to retreat with tory in the Senate paralleled some an increased measure of public respect relatively non-ideological results and sympathy. Certainly, his handling in House Republican leadership races of the controversy over his wife's where House Minority Leader John drinking last summer contrasted posi­ Rhodes, House Whip Robert Michel, tively with the imbroglio over Sen. and House Conference Chairman John Thomas Eagleton's mental health in Anderson were all reelected without 1972. opposition. In the only clear ideo­ logical contest, U.S.Rep. Bill Fren­ Had Howard Baker been chosen as zel(R-Minn.) defeated U.S.Rep. Major­ Richard Nixon's running mate in 1968 ie Holt for the chairmanship of the or 1972, the history of both Baker and House Republican Research Committee. the Republican Party might have been Frenzel's victory was also some­ more fortunate. Baker might now be what non-ideological, however. He President had Nixon acted otherwise. was nominated by Michel who said But Baker might also have been irre­ Frenzel's election would help bal­ versibly tarnished by a mandatory de­ ance the GOP leadership. Frenzel's fense of Nixon's deeds, thus abruptly personal popularity among his col­ crippling a flourishing political car­ leagues as well as his hard work eer. It can be argued that some of on House reform issues as well as Baker's past disappointments were on the Research Committee also Pyrrhic defeats from which he was for­ swayed votes in his 77-53 victory. tunate not to emerge the victor. In a contrasting vote for chairman Whether fate has another favorable of the House GOP PoliC} committee turn in store for Everett Dirksen's between two conservatives, u.S. son-in-law remains to be seen,•• Rep. Del Clawson(R-Cal.) defeated Ripon in the News DELEGATE APPORTIONMENT AND GOP LEADERS ------~------~ • Ripon's analysis of delegate appor­ the burden of answering for the per­ tionment for the 1980 Republican Na­ ceived sins of all Republicans, pro~ tional Convention prompted several gressives will have the opportunity articles. Writing in the Washington over the next four years to offer to Post, Lou Cannon said:"To many Repub­ the nation their own alternative pro­ lIcan officeholders, the Ripon Soci­ grams in the areas of federal aid ety is about as welcome as the swine to cities, bureaucratic over-regula­ flu., This tiny research organization, tion, government reorganization, tax with its penchant for criticizing reform, and federal assumption of lo­ pominent Republicans, is seen by the cal welfare costs. Progressive Re­ orthodox GOP as elitist, ultra-liber­ publicans bring to these issues a al or wo'rse. The Riponi tes damaged unique perspective, combining tradi­ their sensible case·for delegate.re­ tional economic conservatism and re­ apportionment by unsensibly' insist­ liance on private enterprise with a ing that the courts should require liberal's recognition that govern­ the party to revise its bonus rule. ment must ameliorate those societal The courts,' wisely deciding not to problems beyond the private sector's meddle in the way a political party's capabilities." Gerstell also ap­ delegates are selected, threw out the peared with U.S.Reps. John, Anderson Ripon lawsuit •. Nevertheless, leaving and Phil Crane on the MacNeill-Lehrer the South aside, Republican voters I Report on PBS-TV December 10. would also be well served if the par­ • commenting on Hubert Humphrey on ty decided to adopt the Ripon formula the January 5 CBS Evening News, Eric as its own ••• The Ripon argument in Severeid touched on Ripon's letter to 1972 was that delegate apportionment President Ford(see page one):"So the was a question of justice rather than Democrat who almost becaine,' and ide logy • The Dixie Republicans didn't should've become President eight years believe it, but Ripon was right." ago has found his last official niche • Writing in the Chicago Tribune~ col­ to be useful in. Gerald Ford, the Re­ umnist Neil Mehler,iFor several years publican who did make it and then lost the Ripon Society, a small liberal it, has not, because this system nev­ segment of the Republican Party, has er knows what to do with ex-Presidents, been trying to ge~ more nat10n~L con­ even the vigorous ones like Ford. Un-­ vention delegate~ for the industrial less he should go back to Congress, states. In general, GOP conserva­ it's hard to see what he can do to be tives wanted the system kept whereby useful. There is something unconvin­ Southern states especially benefited cing about his ambition to help guide at the convention if the GOP presiden­ and reshape his political party. Some­ tial candidate carried their state." thing unconvincing about the ambitions • Writing in the New York Times, War­ of Reagan, Rockefeller, and Connally ren Weaver said:"Southern Republican to do the same, in spite of their Re­ leaders, who successfully blocked re­ publican summit conference today. The formers' attempts to make state rep­ problem of what to do with politicians resentation at the party's national past their prime is nothing compared to convention more evenhanded, now find' the problems of political parties past that the formula they defended will the.ir prime. The Republican Party is reduce their delegate strength at the not dead, but it is doddering, and may­ 1980 conventiQn by nearly 25 percent." be those new gadfly Republicans in the • The New York Times printed a P'Qst­ Ripon Society are right. They sent election article by Ripon president Ford a message today urging that he and Glenn S. Gerstell on the prospects the other three just step aside. They for progressive Republicans. Wrifing ask that their party turn not to the on the Times' op ed page, Gerstell right or to the left, but to the young. said:"The Carter victory may well be And it does look very much as if that's a blessing in disguise for the Repub­ the only direction open to it." In lican Party's progressive wing, for connection with the letter, Ripon it marks the end of eight frustrat­ president Gerstell algo taped inter­ ting years during which party loyal­ views for the National Black Radio ty forced progressives to support a Network and radio station KRNT in President with whom they were ideo­ Des Moine, Iowa. logically uncomfortable. Freed from 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.