Atlanta Daily World

The Political Pot Begins To Boil

There is speculation concerning the possibility that Governor Nelson Rockefeller, of New York will wind up as the Vice-Presidential nominee of the Republican Party this year.

If this happens - and we are inclined to think that Governor Rockefeller might accept the second place on the ticket with Vice-President Richard Nixon - it would undoubtedly be a powerful combination for the Republicans. It would give them a nominee from the two giant states - New York and California; and nominees that would have strong appeal to the mass of Negro voters because of their positive stands in the matter of civil rights; certainly it would be the strongest possible Republican ticket.

There is also speculation that Rockefeller might still be in the running for the Republican presidential nomination - if Vice President Nixon's popularity shows a decided drop in the public opinion polls. But this is not likely since Mr. Nixon is so closely associated and identified with the Eisenhower administration which remains popular with the people.

Senator John Kennedy's victory over Senator Hubert Humphrey in last week's West Virginia primary placed him without doubt as the leading Democratic contender. There is still some speculation that Adlai Stevenson will throw his hat in the ring. but Sen. Kennedy's overwhelming defeat of Sen. Humphrey seems to prove that the heretofore handicap of Religion is no longer a great issue with the people.

This is as it should be. We are happy to see this development. Perhaps it indicates that the American people are maturing politically to the point where a person's abilities and qualifications, and not his religion or race, will be the primary considerations for his fitness for public office.

In the excitement and turmoil over the West Virginia primary, the recent Indiana primary has been practically overlooked. While it was not a major contest, it was an interesting test of strength from several viewpoints.

Senator Kennedy had expected to lead Mr. Nixon in the primary, but the Vice President piled up a lead of about 50,000 votes over Kennedy. And Mr. Nixon did this even though the total Democratic vote in the state topped the Republican vote.

This was considered especially significant by some observers, and it was estimated that Senator Kennedy lost at least 80,000 votes given to minor Democratic contenders. Some of those not voting for Kennedy are, it was claimed, opposed to him either on the basis of his farm-voting record, or are worried about the religious question.

These results, of course, did Senator Kennedy's hopes little good. The West Virginia primary, of course, has long been considered a more important test of strength, and that analysis is correct. Nevertheless, the Indiana primary should not be overlooked, with its farm vote and conservatism, and the general Midwestern sensitivity to the religious question.

It was in 1928 that the former Governor of New York, Al Smith, was roundly defeated for the Democratic nomination, almost solely because he was Catholic. Apparently, the West Virginia results indicate that issue belongs to a day of the forgotten past.

But the political pot is now simmering to a boil; in a few weeks we will know who is who.