A Chicago newspaper said it editorially, and it has been repeated by a number of individuals whose political judgment is normally sound: that the reason Robert Morris lost is that he was too Liberal! The voters, the argument runs, were once again denied a choice between Liberalism and true conservatism. To those familiar with the New Jersey contest this argument seems perverse, and it ought to be laid to rest. True, Morris had deviated on several matters of conservative dogma, e.g., the wisdom of the Khrushchev visit. But he did not thereby alienate New Jersey conservatives. It is safe to say that among New Jersey Republicans the true conservative does not breathe who did not drag himself out to vote for Robert Morris on primary day.
The reason Morris lost is that there were not enough conservative voters. Not nearly enough. This verdict, however, is not as uncomplicated as it sounds—certainly not as uncomplicated as commentators on the Left, and some on the Right, have been making it sound. Moreover, it does not necessarily imply—and there is a candidate for the Presidency who may be sadly disappointed next November for thinking it does—that Republican candidates are better off for being Liberals.
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