‘Kennedy would have chance’

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32775, 27 November 1971, Page 5

‘Kennedy would have chance’

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter —Copyright)

NEW YORK, November 26

Senator Edward Kennedy, looking ahead to the 1972 Presidential election, thinks that it will be very difficult to beat President Nixon under any circumstances, according to “Time” magazine.

Senator Kennedy, in an exclusive interview with the magazine, says: “It would be extremely difficult to defeat him if, for instance, he ends the war; if the S.A.L.T. (strategic arms limitation) talks succeed; if the trip to Peking is effective; if the cities are quiet; if the economy recovers and unemployment goes down. “But if the war drags on; if the economy lags; if the trips are only smoke-screens; if deep-seated divisions continue in the country, then TWO VOTES SHORT On Senator Kennedy’s chances to win the 1972 Presidential election against Mr Nixon should he be the democratic nominee, particularly with the shadow of Chappaquiddick still haunting him, a nationwide survey

by “Time” magazine indicates that at the moment the President is two votes below the 270 Electoral-College votes needed for a second term. The senator has 188, with 82 votes in states too close to call.

“In short,” adds the magazine, “Ted would have a chance,” In the interview, Senator Kennedy had this to say about President Nixon’s leadership: “I would list a kind of balance sheet on particular issues; both pro and con.

“I applaud his efforts to reduce tensions internationally, his new China policy and the Nixon Doctrine in the Far East. But a basic question is whether the country is coming to grips with the more essential problems we have at home. There is no sense of where the country is going; the

basic catalyst for leadership is the President, and the failure of Nixon is in leadership. “PIECES REMAIN” “I don’t think he has ended Vietnam as an issue. Have we fulfilled our responsibilities if the violence continues? On the economy, all we have is a blueprint of a plan—phase two. There are many pieces still to be filled in.

“Nixon has put the economy-through the wringer. Things were bad in 1969, they grew worse in 1970, and now in 1971 we have the freeze and phase two. I hope it works: I think it may. But no amount of rhetoric can mask the fact that the Administration should have acted long ago in 1969.”