The Battle of Oregon

One of the most interesting and significant of this year’s senatorial contests is that in Oregon, to determine whether ex-college professor Wayne Morse or ex-Secretary of the Interior Douglas McKay shall represent that state for the next six years. Both contestants are colorful, both are seasoned campaigners; and the fight is bitter, with control of the Senate possibly hanging on the outcome.

Wayne Morse, a “liberal” Republican in New Deal days, later an Independent, and now a maverick Democrat, appears to relish the role of oppositionist. Always far to the left ideologically, he frequently makes political capital—and headlines in home-state newspapers—by crying out against any measure that appears to meet the approval of a majority of his Senate colleagues.

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Alfred M. Cooper

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One of the most interesting and significant of this year’s senatorial contests is that in Oregon, to determine whether ex-college professor Wayne Morse or ex-Secretary of the Interior Douglas McKay shall represent that state for the next six years. Both contestants are colorful, both are seasoned campaigners; and the fight is bitter, with control of the Senate possibly hanging on the outcome.

Wayne Morse, a “liberal” Republican in New Deal days, later an Independent, and now a maverick Democrat, appears to relish the role of oppositionist. Always far to the left ideologically, he frequently makes political capital—and headlines in home-state newspapers—by crying out against any measure that appears to meet the approval of a majority of his Senate colleagues.