Give ’em hell, Walter. Turn ’84 around and what does Walter Mondale get? A victory over Ronald Reagan, just like the one Harry Truman scored over Thomas Dewey in 1948. Mondale told a union audience in San Francisco: “We start behind but I think very quickly we will see momentum.” Truman’s idea, said Mondale, was that when people are aroused and have a leader who’s on their side, “all the money and all the polls can’t stop him. That’s exactly what I’m going to do in 1984!” Mondale will soon meet with Gary Hart, and subject of Vice Presidency is sure to come up. According to June 14 Gallup poll, majority of Democrats (59 per cent) favor Hart for Mondale’s Veep. George McGovern says Mondale-Hart ticket would be strongest for Democrats and “quickest way” to heal party rift. . . . Only problem is Hart still won’t get out of race for Number One—and Mondale people aren’t high on Hart. . . . New York Governor Mario Cuomo (D.) thinks Ted Kennedy should endorse Mondale before Convention to aid unity effort, but Kennedy hasn’t shifted from neutral corner. . . . With primary season at end, Jesse Jackson isn’t intent on healing wounds. At Philadelphia news conference, Jackson ridiculed the “PR parade of personalities” trooping to Mondale’s Minnesota home and said the “last significant politician out of St. Paul-Minneapolis” was Hubert Humphrey. Jackson accused Mondale of “knuckling under” to Jewish groups on Mideast. . . . National Gay Rights Task Force is demanding a specific gay-rights plank in Democratic platform. If one isn’t there, said Task Force director Virginia Apuzzo, there will be trouble for Walter Mondale. . . . Jesse Jackson is first (and so for only) Democratic presidential candidate to set up “gay desk” in his national headquarters.
Ready for another tax cut? White House officials say there is “good likelihood” Ronald Reagan will propose an increase in $1,000 personal exemption this year or next. Earliest chance is at Republican Convention in Dallas. . . . Reaganism at its purest: That’s what GOP insiders are calling Administration’s planned statement at World Conference on Population scheduled for Mexico City in August. Administration’s opposition to financing abortion abroad has gotten most media attention, but statement covers far more. Population growth isn’t necessarily a problem, it says, oppressive government is. James Buckley is slated to head U.S. delegation to conference. … In North Carolina, incumbent Senator Jesse Helms (R.) is pulling ahead of Governor Jim Hunt (D.) by stressing, among other things, Hunt’s ties to Jesse Jackson and his opposition to school prayer; back in October, Helms trailed Hunt by 19 percentage points. . . . Former Representative Robert K. Dornan won GOP primary in California’s 38th Congressional District; he will face Rep. Jerry Patterson, a liberal Democrat, in November. California Governor George Deukmejian endorsed Dornan in primary because he felt only Dornan could defeat Patterson. . . . It’s now official in Texas. The recount of the runoff is in and liberal state Senator Lloyd Doggett topped conservative Rep. Kent Hance to clinch Democratic senatorial nomination. . . . How does the rest of GOP ticket look in November? Speaking at breakfast hosted by Republican Communications Association, columnist Robert Novak said: “In 1984, the Republicans have a chance to make this a realigning election. There is no question the Democratic Party is in deep, deep trouble.” Entire center of party, said Novak, “disappeared with election of John Glenn.” But Novak said GOP opportunities could be squandered by overly cautious GOP leadership. . . . Carlyle Gregory, GOP field man for most of South, expects Republicans to do far better than expected in November congressional elections, thanks to Reagan—and Jesse Jackson. Jackson is, according to Gregory, driving white voters into the Republican Party. Edward J. Rollins, director of Reagan campaign, says GOP is spending $10 million to register new voters.
Comments