The Odds Against Knowland

The political future of California, says Mr. Ryskind, hangs on this year’s contest for Governor. The odds against Knowland are terrific—and so is the suspense

Wh en Bill Knowland, toward the end of 1957, called the reporters in to announce he would not be a candidate for re-election to the Senate, American conservatives were profoundly disturbed. Knowland had worn with notable courage and distinction the mantle bestowed on him by Bob Taft, and, as both majority and minority leader, had served the Republic well. In spite of the exceptional number of second-raters now sitting in the Upper House, the Senate still remains the great showcase of democracy: and here Knowland had displayed his wares, and overwhelmingly the conservatives had liked what he had to offer and bought eagerly. (So eagerly, indeed, that the Labor Bosses had marked him for political death, labeling him Public Enemy Number One; while the Republican Branch of the Establishment, fearful of its fate in 1960, had made a behind-the-scenes effort to depose him as GOP leader, an effort that died a-borning.) And here was Knowland abdicating, so to speak, at the height of his power and prestige.

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Morrie Ryskind

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The political future of California, says Mr. Ryskind, hangs on this year’s contest for Governor. The odds against Knowland are terrific—and so is the suspense

Wh en Bill Knowland, toward the end of 1957, called the reporters in to announce he would not be a candidate for re-election to the Senate, American conservatives were profoundly disturbed. Knowland had worn with notable courage and distinction the mantle bestowed on him by Bob Taft, and, as both majority and minority leader, had served the Republic well. In spite of the exceptional number of second-raters now sitting in the Upper House, the Senate still remains the great showcase of democracy: and here Knowland had displayed his wares, and overwhelmingly the conservatives had liked what he had to offer and bought eagerly. (So eagerly, indeed, that the Labor Bosses had marked him for political death, labeling him Public Enemy Number One; while the Republican Branch of the Establishment, fearful of its fate in 1960, had made a behind-the-scenes effort to depose him as GOP leader, an effort that died a-borning.) And here was Knowland abdicating, so to speak, at the height of his power and prestige.