Politics—1966

What follows is an outline of political conditions, personalities, and prospects in each of the fifty states with regard to the 1966 elections for the House of Representatives, the Senate, and the governorships. My information has come from any number of sources — newspapers, magazines, election records, interviews with party professionals at the state and national levels. Unavoidably there will be errors or exaggerations here, particularly with regard to individual intentions; but it should be mentioned that individual intentions, in politics above all, are among the most mysterious if not unknowable of things. For reasons of space I have left much unsaid, and doubtless some of what is true as I write it will be obsolete by the time it has reached print. One thing I do not apologize for is my belief that in ninety-nine cases out of a hundred, conservatives can make political progress only through a judicious use of and respect for the American two-party system, and that in nine cases out of ten the interest of intelligent conservatism coincides with that of the Republican Party.

► Alabama. With George Wallace legally disqualified for re-election, the Democratic gubernatorial primary has become one of the hottest items in the South. Already in the race are former Governor Jim Folsom, Attorney General Richmond Flowers, former Congressman Carl Elliott, and former State Senator Ryan de Graffenreid — all Liberals — and former Governor John Patterson, a hard-line segregationist. Yet to enter the melee is a candidate bearing Wallace’s own backing. Possibilities for the Wallace nod include Lieutenant Governor James Allen and Wallace’s wife Lurleen—provided she is able to recover sufficiently from a recent cancer operation. For the time being, the primary is anybody’s ball game. The probable Republican candidate is freshman Congressman James Martin, a narrow loser statewide in 1962. His presence at the top of the ticket will help the Republicans in their efforts to keep the extensive House gains (five seats) they made in Barry Goldwater’s statewide sweep. They are currently expected to hold at least three. Wallace is expected to enter the race for John Sparkman’s Senate seat, in disregard of an Alabama statute prohibiting Senate bids by an incumbent Governor. If Wallace faces Sparkman, he will probably beat him and win the seat over whatever opposition the Republicans muster.

EB

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Edward J. Bell

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House of Representatives

What follows is an outline of political conditions, personalities, and prospects in each of the fifty states with regard to the 1966 elections for the House of Representatives, the Senate, and the governorships. My information has come from any number of sources — newspapers, magazines, election records, interviews with party professionals at the state and national levels. Unavoidably there will be errors or exaggerations here, particularly with regard to individual intentions; but it should be mentioned that individual intentions, in politics above all, are among the most mysterious if not unknowable of things. For reasons of space I have left much unsaid, and doubtless some of what is true as I write it will be obsolete by the time it has reached print. One thing I do not apologize for is my belief that in ninety-nine cases out of a hundred, conservatives can make political progress only through a judicious use of and respect for the American two-party system, and that in nine cases out of ten the interest of intelligent conservatism coincides with that of the Republican Party.

► Alabama. With George Wallace legally disqualified for re-election, the Democratic gubernatorial primary has become one of the hottest items in the South. Already in the race are former Governor Jim Folsom, Attorney General Richmond Flowers, former Congressman Carl Elliott, and former State Senator Ryan de Graffenreid — all Liberals — and former Governor John Patterson, a hard-line segregationist. Yet to enter the melee is a candidate bearing Wallace’s own backing. Possibilities for the Wallace nod include Lieutenant Governor James Allen and Wallace’s wife Lurleen—provided she is able to recover sufficiently from a recent cancer operation. For the time being, the primary is anybody’s ball game. The probable Republican candidate is freshman Congressman James Martin, a narrow loser statewide in 1962. His presence at the top of the ticket will help the Republicans in their efforts to keep the extensive House gains (five seats) they made in Barry Goldwater’s statewide sweep. They are currently expected to hold at least three. Wallace is expected to enter the race for John Sparkman’s Senate seat, in disregard of an Alabama statute prohibiting Senate bids by an incumbent Governor. If Wallace faces Sparkman, he will probably beat him and win the seat over whatever opposition the Republicans muster.