An Assault on the Senate From Maine to Wyoming Presidential Hopefuls And National Unknowns Face the Nixon-Agnew Onslaught

By Thomas P. Southwick, October 26, 1970

Rawlings, trying to forge a new coalition of blacks, liberals, and old line Democrats, has continually punched away at the theme of party loyalty-calling Byrd a "turncoat" who cynically abandoned the party when the tide seemed to turn against him.

Most pollsters now give Byrd a slim lead over Rawlings, with Garland a poor third.

VERMONT: Vermont hasn't had a Democratic Senator since the Civil War. Former Governor Phillip H. Hoff has a good chance of ending the Republican streak, His opponent, incumbent Republican Winston Prouty, is a lacklustre, lukewarm Nixon backer. Hoff is a vibrant, energetic figure who was a popular governor and a leader of the movement for a peace plank in the Democratic platform at the national convention in 1968.

The war and Prouty's prolonged absences from the state are the two main issues. An underlying issue is Hoff's alleged drinking problem, a handicap which he claims he has overcome.

The race is rated as a tossup now but could turn on Hoff's energy, use of student volunteers, and widespread television and radio advertising campaigns.

WISCONSIN: William Proxmire enjoys the best of both worlds. Conservatives like him because he is against government spending. Liberals like him because the spending he is against is for defense. And almost no one likes his opponent, former basketball coach John Erickson, enough to vote Republican.

WEST VIRGINIA: Incumbent Senator Robert C. Byrd faces only token opposition from Republican Mayor of Charleston, Elmer H. Dodson. Dodson is only running because he says he feels the voters should have at least a semblence of a choice.

WASHINGTON: Another token challenge will provide no trouble for the incumbent, Democratic Senator Henry M. Jackson.

WYOMING: Democratic Senator Gale McGee, a target of Nixon and Agnew, has proved to be an clusive target. He supports the President's Indochina policy and has remained friendly to the big oil interests which dominate the state. McGee's opponent, Rep. John S. Wold, enjoys the wholehearted support of the Administration, but McGee seems safe for a third term.