Letter from Washington

What’s the White House going to do to Placate unrest among conservatives? The leading possibility seems to be a hard-slugging Nixon speech in January on national defense, but that may not be enough. Conservatives have already had substantial rhetorical satisfaction from the President; what they want now is a change in direction. Action is partly delayed by a lack of information: The White House is not yet certain just how disaffected conservatives are and what form the backlash is likely to take.

The primary merry-go-round may be spinning too fast for some hitherto fast runners, notably John Lindsay and Edward Kennedy. In the important Florida primary in March (a week after the 1972 campaign opens in New Hampshire), Lindsay has found himself scooped by Hubert Humphrey. Miami Mayor David Kennedy is backing Humphrey and guaranteeing a big turnout by Dade County (Miami) Democrats. Humphrey also has strong union backing. Lindsay’s Florida hopes had hinged on Mayor Kennedy, whose constituency is the only one in Florida liberal enough to give him the support he needs. Edward Kennedy also will suffer if Humphrey wins big in Florida.

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Presidential Election

What’s the White House going to do to Placate unrest among conservatives? The leading possibility seems to be a hard-slugging Nixon speech in January on national defense, but that may not be enough. Conservatives have already had substantial rhetorical satisfaction from the President; what they want now is a change in direction. Action is partly delayed by a lack of information: The White House is not yet certain just how disaffected conservatives are and what form the backlash is likely to take.

The primary merry-go-round may be spinning too fast for some hitherto fast runners, notably John Lindsay and Edward Kennedy. In the important Florida primary in March (a week after the 1972 campaign opens in New Hampshire), Lindsay has found himself scooped by Hubert Humphrey. Miami Mayor David Kennedy is backing Humphrey and guaranteeing a big turnout by Dade County (Miami) Democrats. Humphrey also has strong union backing. Lindsay’s Florida hopes had hinged on Mayor Kennedy, whose constituency is the only one in Florida liberal enough to give him the support he needs. Edward Kennedy also will suffer if Humphrey wins big in Florida.