A newly formed and largely middle class Reform Democrats of Maine under the leadership of Bowdoin professor John C. Resenbrink hope to stem the party's growing "complacency and conservatism". The new group represents a real coalition of Kennedy and McCarthy people. Legislative lobbying and the 1970 party elections are the two objectives of the reformers activities. Resenbrink's group will be building at the grass-roots for the next two years in high hopes of taking over the state party. Most observers consider a coup unlikely in a state where labor is still loyal and Senator or vice president Muskie is both important and progressive.

Maryland

Except for dovish Sen. Joseph D. Tydings's personal organization, anti-administration liberals are unorganized. Suburban Washington's Montgomery County served as a McCarthy base in this politically Southern state where George Wallace did so well in the 1964 presidential primary vote (forty-two per cent). Baltimore is still very much a machine stronghold. New Democratic Coalition national forces hope to organize a liberal-reform group in a coalition with an emerging black leadership before the 1970 election to help re-elect Tydings and give some clout to lightweight liberals.

Massachusetts

Though McCarthy forces were dealt a setback in last week's congressional races, they hope to re-group after November and form a left, reform faction within the party. The goal is to organize in each city and town to control as many votes as possible at the June, 1970 party convention whcih nominates constitutional officers. Convention delegates are chosen by the town and city party committees.

In the aftermath of Chicago much of the McCarthy organization -- particularly in the academic community and the Republicans and Independents who joined the party for McCarthy--want to leave the party. State McCarthy leaders Jerry Grossman, Paul Counihan, and state Rep. Irving Fishman should be watched for further developments on the new left reform organization.

Michigan

Following Humphrey's defeat in November, the new liberal coalition of urban blacks and white suburbanites centered around Detroit and Lansing will in all probability take control of the party from old, worn labor-liberal leadership. In the early August party primaries, however, the bi-racial coalition which now calls itself the New Caucus took more than forty per cent of the state. Their muscle was reflected in the September 1 state convention when party leaders in a harmony effort neglected to bring up a resolution calling for a Humphrey endorsement. With Humphrey's anticipated defeat, New Caucus forces will probably be able to gain important allies of Detroit Mayor Jerry Cavanagh and black Cong. John Conyors' power and take the party leadership.

Minnesota

McCarthy forces came very close to winning party control last spring. By the time McCarthy himself comes up for re-election in November, 1970, the party should be under the control of liberal militant forces allied with the senior senator. Because of McCarthy's distain for party politics, the new leadership--while with him in spirit--can hardly be considered a personal organization. While the campaign continues this fall, the New Democratic Coalition (the McCarthy forces) are organizing themselves again in each congressional district. With strong control already in Minneapolis-St. Paul (about one third of the state), they are moving to take over out-state areas like Rochester where they came very close last spring. Twentyfive year-old former SDS official Vance Opperman, chairman of the Hennepin County (Minneapolis) party, is a man to be watched. Many consider Opperman--the epitome of the New Politics-style--the next "boy mayor" of Minneapolis, a title once held by one Hubert H. Humphrey.

Mississippi

Though the Loyal Democrats of Mississippi, a coalition of blacks lead by Charles Evers and white liberals like newspaper editor Hodding Carter, is the de jure party following its victory in Chicago last month it is not the de facto party. This presents massive confusion, since the old party led by Gov. John Bell Wliliams refuses to cease operation. The loyal coalition now have to run candidates for local and state posts who can win--making the party a reality. The new party will probably concentrate on local and legislative battles.

Missouri

Potentially strong liberal forces have not gotten together in any meaningful way yet, they desperately need good leadership. McCarthy forces made impressive liberal gains in suburban St. Louis this spring, but have failed to align themselves with the progressive black community leaders in the inner city. Instead they are associated with the old Negro bosses who are on the way out. In Kansas City McCarthyites dumped the last remnants of the Pendergast machine with whom Harry S. Truman got his start a half-century ago. But the McCarthyites have failed to unite with the Kennedy forces and the black community which means a liberal party takes over is impossible for the present.

Montana