Kennedy Seeks Presidency

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31631, 18 March 1968, Page 13

Kennedy Seeks Presidency

(N.Z Press Association —Copyright) WASHINGTON, March 17. The Democratic Party has been thrown into turmoil by the announcement that Senator Robert F. Kennedy is to run for the Presidency, United Press International reports. Senator Kennedy, surrounded by his family, yesterday announced the move to seek the nation’s highest office and change the “disastrous, divisive policies” of President Johnson.

Standing in the same spot in the Senate caucus room where his late brother began his successful quest for the Presidency,

Senator Kennedy said: “The fight is just beginning and I believe that I can win.” He said he had informed President Johnson of his decision through an unnamed intermediary. The President, he said, “did not indicate pleasure or displeasure." Senator Edward F. Kennedy, his brother, went to Wisconsin on Friday night to tell the Vietnam peace advocate and presidential candidate, Senator Eugene McCarthy, the news.

Before leaving Washington for his Texas ranch the President told a businessmen’s convention: “These days we have to take chances. Some speculate in gold—a primary metal —and others just speculate in primaries." In Indianapolis Senator McCarthy flatly rejected any “deal” with Senator Kennedy

He said he foresaw no chance of a joint running ticket between them for the Democratic nomination.

Earlier he criticised Senator Kennedy for not helping him in his recent New Hampshire primary bid in which he captured 42 per cent of the votes Senator McCarthy said: “I walked alone. They were afraid to come down on to the playing field. “They stayed out on the

hili and lit bonfires and danced in the moonlight.” Senator McCarthy said if his cause became hopeless at the Chicago Democratic con vention then he would release his delegates and that they would be free “to make their own decisions.” With Senator Kennedy’s entrance into the Presidential race the inter-party struggle between the regulars who support the President and the liberals has heightened. Senator Kennedy seems to have pockets of support

throughout the nation—except tor the South which appears to be wholeheartedly proJohnson. The New York senator has <pen support in California and in his home State, but in both cases there is also backing for President Johnson. From Lincoln, Nebraska, it is reported that Senator Kennedy has been officially entered in the State Presidential primary to be held on Saturday.

The New York Governor, Mr Nelson Rockefeller, is also expected to run in the election, although his candidacy as a Republican candidate has yet to be confirmed. At French Lick, Indiana, Vice-President Hubert Humphrey said: “In 1968, I stand behind my President and we shall fight and win.” Meanwhile, the former vicepresident and Republican candidate for the Republican nomination, Mr Richard Nixon said President Johnson would win the Democratic nomination.

Mr Nixon said: “He (President Johnson) is an incumbent President, and an incumbent President can always get it if he wants it. He’ll have to fight for it, but he’ll get it.” He said he considered Senator Kennedy a “much more formidable candidate for L 8.J.” than Senator McCarthy. Senator Kennedy’s entry would make no difference to the Republican strategy, he said.