Advertisement

The Liberal Challenge: State by State

Can They Take Control?

Sen. Frank Church is the state's liberal movement now, but that might be changing. Democrats are weak and socially inferior in this conservative state. McCarthy forces led by Robert Hart '68 built a grassroots organization which may serve as a base to build a liberal issue-oriented movement in the next four years. Liberal Republicans were badly defeated in 1966 and might be persuaded to vote for the opposition if progressive candidates backed by socially-acceptable forces can be found. Hart is the man to watch; McCarthy workers have joined Church's tough re-election battle this fall.

Illinois

With a predicted GOP landslide repudiating the machine's political judgment ("machines must not only make the choice, but the right one," as one ward boss said) coupled with Daley's long-announced retirement in '71, a New Politics coalition of urban blacks (like Chicago Alderman Raney), white suburban liberals (like North Shore party leader Williams), and down-state forces (like Richard Mudge of Edwardsville) is a serious possibility. A liberal coalition of such size could force major concessions from what is left of the machine. This fall McCarthy forces are fighting a hopeless battle against Sen. Dirksen for liberal William Clark, a Daley choice who turned dove against his master's will an dlost the Mayor's financial support. The race gives the liberals a chance to tool-up for the liberation struggle.

Indiana

In a state where conservative Gov. Roger D. Branigan could call the Kennedys "outside agitators" last April, things are improving rapidly for the liberals. Facing a GOP sweep, the party gubernatorial candidate Rock asked McCathy co-ordinator and professor James Bogle to head his "Citizens for Rock" group. About twenty per cent of party boss Gordon St. Angelo's precincts are now under liberal control. Following the November election, the old McCarthy organization and a few other liberals (Kennedy imported his May primary machine, leaving few Kennedyites) will gather to form a permanent political group to work within the party for progressive party and elected officials. By the 1970 party elections this New Politics group--hopefully with sizable black community support--expects to be a significant group. Purdue professor Robert Toale is the man to watch.

Advertisement

Iowa

Like Colorado this state has become a model for a liberal take-over. In February, 1968 a struggling band of peaceniks started a McCarthy organization. It dug in at the grassroots and came up with this traditional Republican state's first viable Democratic political organization by July. It is liberal, extremely dynamic, and lead by popular Gov. Harold Hughes who nominated McCarthy in Chicago.

Kansas

The McCarthy campaign was never very extensive in the state; the liberals are poorly organized; the future at this point is not very bright. There are a few hopeful signs, however, the black militant community--particularly the Topeka health worker's unions--have had good rapport with McCarthy forces, and may provide the basis for a bi-racial coalition. The reformers met scattered success in the August party primary--they now control about fifteen per cent of the precincts. Liberals have high level allies within the party hierachy who may be able to help if a liberal coalition can get off the ground as it did in Colorado.

Kentucky

Though comprising only about a third of the party, a developing liberal coalition based on black and white liberal cooperation might just take control of the party in 1969 through sheer activism. In any case the liberals will probably take control of the party apparatus in greater Louisville and Lexington (the University of Kentucky).

With the impending Humphrey disaster which will probably carry the senatorial candidate down to defeat, an active liberal campaign by Kennedyite Michael Mills for the 1969 gubernatorial nomination against the dispirited regulars could conceivably put Mills in office. Once in office the patronage--which still controls vitually all the politics in the poverty-stricken eastern part of the state--could give the liberals control.

Louisiana

The old Southern conservative wing of the party still controls the state. A coalition of the weak white liberal forces and new black leadership may emerge in the not too distant future.

Maine

Advertisement