Johnson Enters Presidency Race

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29250, 7 July 1960, Page 13

Johnson Enters Presidency Race

(N.Z. Press Association*Copyrtght) WASHINGTON, July 6. Senator Lyndon Johnson’s campaign forces said today that they aim to land the Democratic Party’s presidential nomination for him no later than the fifth convention ballot. They conceded that overtaking the pace-setting Senator John Kennedy represents a large order, but Mr Oscar L. Chapman, cochairman of the Citizens for Johnson campaign organisation, issued the flat prediction that “we’ll make it.” The Kennedy drive, Mr Chapman said, had gone about as far as it could—and this was short of the 761 votes necessary to win the nomination at the convention next week.

Senator Johnson formally announced his long-known candidacy only yesterday, and told a televised press conference: “I expect to be nominated.” The latest American Associated Press poll of delegates shows Senator Kennedy with 540 J votes as the front runner, and Senator Johnson next with 231. Senator Johnson’s headquarters said he planned no further public move in his campaign until he reached Los Angeles tomorrow afternoon, when another press conference is planned. Senator Kennedy reserved comment at his Cape Cod summer home. He plans to fly to Los Angeles on Saturday. Another Democratic Party candidate, Senator Stuart Symington, said during a surprise visit to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, that he didn’t think much of Senator Johnson's chances. ‘‘l’ve never felt Northern States would support Johnson.” Senator Symington said.

Without mentioning Senator Kennedy or other aspirants by name, Senator Johnson nevertheless aimed some thrusts at them yesterday. He said he had held up his announcement until after Congress adjourned lest it interfere with performance of his duties as the Senate majority leader, and added: “Those who have engaged in active campaigns have missed hundreds of these (Senate) votes. This I could not do—for my country or my party.” Under questioning, Senator Johnson twice refused to 1 flatly exclude himself as a VicePresidential possibility, although he did not express open interest in it.

A spokesman for Senator Symington said Senator Johnson’s statement made it more important for Senator Symington’s delegates to hold fast until a deadlock developed. A convention deadlock appeared Senator Symington’s only apparent hope. His forces contend that the final choice will lie between the Missouri senator and Mr Adlai

Stevenson, the 1952 and 1956 nominee.

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Sam Ravburn (Texas), will place Senator Johnson’s name in nomination at the convention. Senator Johnson said seconding speeches would be made by Senator Thomas J. Dodd (Connecticut) and Representative Daniel K. Inouye (Hawaii).’ Speaking ' about the world situation the next President may

face, Senator Johnson said: "The next President must be able to stand against the challenge of communism and he will have little time to learn the job. “We can anticipate the possibility of a Communist submarine base being built on Cuba and further Communist infiltration throughout our hemisphere. “We can anticipate new ultimatums on Berlin, new insults to the American flag, new indignities to our citizens.” Senator Johnson did not make a direct issue of Senator Kennedy’s youth. But he made the point on several occasions that the next President must be a man of experience. z