THE WEEK

The nomination of Jacob Javits by the Republican Party (various aspects of the Javits case are discussed in this issue) was the last word in Republican self-delusion. Republican leaders argued hotly for Javits primarily on the grounds that failure to nominate him would antagonize the Jewish vote in New York. The premise of that argument is that the Jewish vote will go to Javits merely because Javits is Jewish. In fact, in election after election, the Democratic Party has appealed more strongly to the majority of Jews in New York, and Mayor Wagner, who has done nothing whatever to alienate that vote, can hope to retain wide Jewish support. He probably will. Javits, however, will be rejected by a substantial numbet of Republicans who, familiar with his performance and public statements, consider him first a Liberal, and only next a Republican. This misreckoning by the Republicans could cost them the Senate. Conceivably, it could cost them the Presidential election.

The defeat of J. Bracken Lee is sadder even than the victory of Alexander Wiley. Governor Lee had shown, in two terms in office, the most anachronistic disregard for the ravenous and undifferentiated appetites of the Mass Man; and he got away with it, twice. Now the glacier has caught up with him, once again serving notice that Socialism will have its way, and that no individual—or individualist—can withstand it. But Governor Lee can retire with the greatest sense of satisfaction. He held the line, in Utah, for eight years.

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Presidential Election

The nomination of Jacob Javits by the Republican Party (various aspects of the Javits case are discussed in this issue) was the last word in Republican self-delusion. Republican leaders argued hotly for Javits primarily on the grounds that failure to nominate him would antagonize the Jewish vote in New York. The premise of that argument is that the Jewish vote will go to Javits merely because Javits is Jewish. In fact, in election after election, the Democratic Party has appealed more strongly to the majority of Jews in New York, and Mayor Wagner, who has done nothing whatever to alienate that vote, can hope to retain wide Jewish support. He probably will. Javits, however, will be rejected by a substantial numbet of Republicans who, familiar with his performance and public statements, consider him first a Liberal, and only next a Republican. This misreckoning by the Republicans could cost them the Senate. Conceivably, it could cost them the Presidential election.

The defeat of J. Bracken Lee is sadder even than the victory of Alexander Wiley. Governor Lee had shown, in two terms in office, the most anachronistic disregard for the ravenous and undifferentiated appetites of the Mass Man; and he got away with it, twice. Now the glacier has caught up with him, once again serving notice that Socialism will have its way, and that no individual—or individualist—can withstand it. But Governor Lee can retire with the greatest sense of satisfaction. He held the line, in Utah, for eight years.