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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 8, 1978)
> gl tl le 15 es in lir 19 tic mi be sin IF to Sll] pri rec IF' 1 *y i )UJ izc B Jo e n Viewpoint The Battalion Texas A&M University Friday September 8, 1978 Politics already turning to 1980 By DAVID S. BRODER NEW YORK—What American politics needs at the moment is the equivalent of the football coach who constantly cautions hi s team to tackle its schedule “one game at a time.” A late-summer swing through six North eastern states finds that many of the players in the political game are guilty of looking beyond the mid-term election this November to the “big game” of presiden tial politics in 1980. THERE ISA pervasive lack of interest in current politics-even among the politicians themselves, and even in states like New York, Connecticut and Massachusetts, where incumbent governors and senators face tough primaries within the next few days. Pollster Peter D. Hart is undoubtedly correct when he says that, so far as the public is concerned, the 1978 campaign has not even penetrated the surface of con sciousness. “It is going to be like a British campaign,” he said. “It will be just six weeks long.” If that is true, so is its converse. The presidential struggle of 1980 is already well under way - 26 months before voting day. And it is plainly overshadowing the current campaigns. In New Hampshire, local Democrats are worried that a Sept. 30 visit to their state convention by Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., may obliterate the main purpose of the convention: to rally support for Sen. Thomas J. McIntyre’s,D-N.H., re-election campaign. Kennedy’s possible presidential candi dacy in 1980 excites more interest among Massachusetts politicians than does the struggle of his colleague. Sen. Edward W. Brooke, R-Mass., to survive a serious chal lenge from conservative Avi Nelson in the Sept. 19 GOP primary. AND HERE IN New York, Republicans seem more intrigued by the possibility of Rep. Jack Kemp, R-N.Y., becoming a seri ous presidential challenge in 1980 than they do by the lively prospect that Perry Duryea, their 1978 gubernatorial nominee. may return them to power in Albany. Much of the explanatin for this strange eagerness to jump ahead one election and begin “The Making of the President, 1980” lies in the evident vulnerability of the in cumbent. Were Jimmy Carter a man who “doth bestride the mortal world like a Col ossus” (as an early English political writer and sometimes poet said of an Italian politi cian of classic times), you can be darn sure that fewer 1980 candidacies would be given such premature birth. But Carter looks ripe for the picking. The operative question among the politicians is not whether he can be beaten today. On that, there is almost universal agreement that if he had to face the voters now, he would lose to any of several Democrats or Republicans. The operative question is whether he has the time, the skill and the will to repair his position before 1980. In a recent column, his reporter argued that Carter certainly had the time and quite plausibly the means to carry through to substantive areas of his administration the overhaul that has al ready taken place in its political operations. But judging from the reaction to that view, there is pervasive doubt among his fellow-Democrats and many Republicans that Carter is tough enough to do what must be done. OUTSIDE WASHINGTON, as in the capital, there appears to be a profound skepticism that he will make the hard deci sions that are needed to save his own politi cal skin. Particularly, there is skepticism that he will bring himself to sacrifice some of those he brought with him to Washington, or to measure his inner circle by the standard he himself raised: Why not the best? Those doubts fuel the preoccupation with the 1980 election within the political community. But one still must wonder at the phenomenon. The same politicians who seem so fascinated with the maneuver- ings of Carter’s would-be successors say that the source of many of their frustrations lies in the Congress. Its members seem indisposed to make any decision that might cause them even slight problems in their jhlFLATlOfy & 6^ iW rtiriom own campaigns. They also recognize that state and local governments are under the gun these days, targets of taxpayer revolt which focuses on bureaucracies close at hand, rather than the distant government in Washington. Both these considerations would seem to lend importance to the November elec tions, when members of Congress, state and local officials will be chosen. But who ever said politics was logical? (c) 1978, The Washington Post Company Washington’s ‘Santa’ feeling heat By HELEN THOMAS UPI White House Reporter WASHINGTON — President Carter has given the go-ahead for a leave-no stone-unturned investigation of the scandal-ridden General Services Adminis tration. And not a moment too soon. The CSA is known as the government’s housekeeping administration, spending $5 billion annually in leasing office space, pur chasing supplies and keeping all the bureaucrats happy. CSA has acted like “manna from heaven” for government officials when they want their offices luxuriously decorated or even when they want walls knocked out to en large their space. If such an investigation was retroactive, sources say that among the most culpable would be several past presidents, who dip ped -in outrageously.to. enhance their sur roundings, not only at the White House, but at their own private estates. President Dwight Eisenhour — and maybe some presidents before him — had no qualms in calling on the CSA to provide White House workmen for his Gettysburg farm, painting, putting in cabinets and doing any other chores that had to be done. Sources say that government-purchased linens also were provided for the farm. .completely redecorated when he took over the presidency following the assassination of John Kennedy. A red rug that was laid in the Oval Office during the weekend that Kennedy was slain was promptly ordered removed by Johnson. The paint on the walls of some offices was changed as many as five or six times to please an aide. When coffee was spilled on a new rug by the sec retary of a Johnson senior staffer, the rug was immediately replaced. Washington Window And CSA carpenters worked for 10 months on a teakwood bar installed in the farmhouse. Lyndon Johnson’s White House was White House officials of past administra tions have had a wide choice for themselves of National Gallery of Art paintings to hang on their walls during their administrations. Many of those paintings have been missing through the years. So have typewriters and other desk equipment which has been summarily removed just before the inaugu ration of a ne\y president. Throughout the federal buraucracy, it has been known that the CSA was a loose operation. No one had gotten a handle on it, or apparently cared to. But when the Watergate scandal began to unravel. Presi dent Richard Nixon’s abuses of the agency to enhance his San Clemente, Calif, and Key Biscane, Fla., estates — called the Western White House and the Florida White House — came under the spotlight. Carter apparently has given the green light for the CSA investigation to let the chips fall where they may. CSA admin istrator Jay Solomon is apparently taking him at his word and heads will roll. Solo mon came in to administrate and now he is finding he is in charge of a clean-up squad. But the bureaucracy may be a little better for it. Letters to the editor ERA could hurt more than help Editor: Tremendous furor has arisen concerning the Equal Rights Amendment. This amendment simply states, “Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abidged by the United States or by any state on account of sex...” At first glance one wonders how a concerned citizen could Slouch by Jim Earle oppose this proposal. And yet, upon closer examination the ERA takes another dimension. Although it is thought that the ERA would alleviate problems women now face, it is certain to unlock a Pandora’s box of evils. You ask, “What evils?” The ERA nessitates 1) the drafting of women (including mothers) and putting women in combat units, 2) the abolishment of the statutory rape laws, which punish men for having sexual intercourse with any women under an age specified by law 3) the ban of segregation by sex in hospitals, and the requirement of women to pay alimony as equally as the man. This amendment would take away more rights for women than it could ever give. Therefore, I strongly oppose the ERA and instead support existing laws such as Arti cle XIV of the United states Constitution. —Charles C. Farnsworth, ‘78 nation’s 11 larger cities receive the same treatment?” The answer I think is that they already have representation; their resi dents can and do vote for senators and con- D.C. deserves reps “SIR, YOU MAY REMEMBER THAT YOU HELPED ME CHANGE MY SCHEDULE SO I COULD MONDAYS AND FRIDAYS OPEN AT 10 O’CLOCK; THIS CONFLICTED WITH MY CLUB ACTIVITIES AND WE CHANGED IT AGAIN! NOW I’VE JUST LEARNED THAT I MUST MAKE ONE MORE CHANGE . . . SIR? . . . SIR? Editor: This letter responds to an editorial in the Sept. 1 issue of The Battalion entitled “D.C. power deserves no separate equal ity.” In it there were three arguments against a proposed Constitutional amend ment giving representation in Congress to the District of Columbia. One argument was that “Washington D. C. wasn’t founded to be the equal of any state.” That’s true, but things can change; already an amendment has allowed Washingtonians to vote in presidential elections. To alter the Constitution where it is seen to be in error is the whole point to the amendment process. A second argument was implied through a rhetorical question: “if Washington’s three-quarters of a million people deserve individual representation (perhaps “collec tive representation” was meant—there’s no representation now) why shouldn’t the gressmen. The third—and central argument—is rather hasty. “But Washington’s population—or at least its voting population—contains a very high precen- tage of Federal employees. The represen tatives proposed for the city would be serv ing more as labor representatives for a select group of bureaucrats than as defen ders of the interests of all the city’s resi dents.” Put another way, instead of defending the interests of their whole constituency (something I doubt any representative does, or can do) representatives would be subject to the will of the majority. I find nothing offensive in this. Had the editorialist, in place of display ing a discriminatroy prejudice—however unintentional—against government employees, argued that full representation should be denied Washingtonians because a high percentage of them are poor blacks, many people might have objected to this bias. A prejudice against a profession— government service—is as offensive as one against a race. —Terry Mahoney We goofed An article concerning unfinished apartment complexes in Wednes day’s Battalion contained a mis quote. Richard Lanier, manager of Courtyard Apartments, should have been quoted as saying a shortage of manpower and materials caused the delay in construction. Also, fall student election dates were incorrectly stated in an article in Thursday’s Battalion. The election will be held Oct. 26. The Battalion regrets the errors. Top of the Campus Student senate seats available Prospective candidates for the six seats on the student senate have until 5 p.m. Wednesday to apply. Students must be in the specified college and have a 2.0 grade point ratio. Open positions are: election commissioner, judicial board, graduate seat; liberal arts, graduate; engineering, graduate; business, graduate; education, junior; and par liamentarian. Application may be made at the student govemnent office, in room 215 of the Memorial Student Center. Library has voter forms Students may pick up voter registration forms at the Sterling C. Evans Library. They are available in documents division service desk, located on the second floor. Student government committees Students interested in joining a committee in the executive, or legislative branches of student government will meet at 7 p.m. Thurs day in Room 308 Rudder Tower. Local Energy seminars to be held Registration for four energy seminars will be held Tuesday, Sept. 12, in the Cafeteria at A&M Consolidated High School. There is no charge for the seminars, sponsored jointly by the A&M Consolidated Community Education program and the Texas Energy Extension Ser- State Duck season increased tarn The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commissioners have voted to increase the duck hunting season in parts of Texas by five days. In east Texas, the 60-day season will commence on November 4, while in west Texas, there will be a combined 83-day duck and goose season, opening Oct. 31. Jurpr veek. Lai temoi bf H; lobby Nation Rocket engine test successful A 6,000 pound thrust rocket engine, that will be used to maneuver the space shuttle orbiter, was successfully tested Wednesday. A spokesman for NASA said the 10 second burn at the White Sands test facility near Las Cruces N. M. "was definitely a success.” The engine is designed to be reusable for up to 100 space missions. Ford bosses asked to appear An Indiana grand jury, investigating the fiery deaths of three young girls, has requested the appearance of Henry Ford II, chairman ofthe giant auto manufacturing conpany that bears his grandfather’s name. Also requested to appear before the Goshen Ind. grand jury was Lee A. lacocca, outgoing Ford Motor Co. president, who was fired by Ford. The girls died in a Ford Pinto, the controversial compact car ordered recalled because the gasoline tanks allegedly explode whena rear-end impact occurs. Prosecutor Michael Consentino said there was nothing in the request to compel the executives to appear. v J:am Imp D in its fi Bdogue in an ati Whit three / puidh All calm at Camp David President Carter, Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachen Begin met privately for three hours, Thursday, on the second day of their crucial, and thus far relaxed, Camp David summit. The three leaders, with no staff advisers, met in President Carter’s private study at Aspen Lodge. Informal contacts will continue during the weekend, even though three different religi ous holidays are to be observed at the presidential compound. White House spokesman Jody Powell said the atmosphere is so relaxed that Begin and Sadat agreed jokingly to leave their wrist watches at home when they meet. World Radio station captured Nicaraguan guerrillas took over a Managua radio station Thursday, and broadcast a taped communique calling on their countrymen to join them in fighting against the government of President Anastasio Somoza Debayle. The raid came on the 14th day of a broad based na tionwide strike aimed at bringing down the Somoza government. Despite government moves to break the strike by businessmen and labor, supporters of the action said it could last indefinitely. Weather Mostly cloudy with showers and thundershowers for today, tonight and tomorrow. High in the low 80s and low in the low 70s. East and northeast wind at 5 to 10 mph. Probability of rain 80% today, 70% tonight and 60% tomorrow. The Battalion LETTERS POLICY MEMBER Letters to the editor should not exceed 300 words and are Texas Press AssociaKon subject to being cut to that length or less if lunger. The Southwest Journalism Congress editorial staff reserves the right to edit such letters and does KrJitrsr V T ml not guarantee to pttblish any tetter. Each letter must be ' . * * * ' Y. ■ signed, show the address of the writer and list a telephone Managing Editor Karen l number for verification. Sports Editor David E Address correspondence to Letters to the Editor. The Cir,, TVlif,,.- i i iUnll Battalion. Room 216. Reed McDonald Building. College V, > Jamie AltkfC Station. Texas 77843. Campus Editor Liz NewwH Represented nationally by National Educational Adver- Assistant Campus Editor . . .Andy WilliafflS| ^f Ie S s ervices ’ Inc ’ New York City ’ Chicago and Los News Editors Carolyn Blosser.f Tlie Battalion is published Monday through Friday from Debbie PdFSOnS September through May except during exam and holiday Editorial director Lee RoV Leschp« 1 periods and the summer, when it is published on Tuesday . ^ i through Thursday. Cartoonist Doug Graham Mail subscriptions are $16.75 per semester; $33.25 per Staff Writers Mark Patterson, AndrPt J school year; $35.(X) per full year. Advertising rates fur- Vails, Scott Pendleton, Sea! I nished on request. Address: The Battalion, Room 216, d rr xx- L n o JJ ' Reed McDonald Building, College Station, Texas 77843. Ictty, Michelle oCUduer, United Press International is entitled exclusively to the Marilyn Brown use for reproduction of all news dispatches credited to it. Rights of reproduction of all other matter herein reserved. Second-Class postage paid at College Station, TX 77843. Opinions expressed in The Battalion are those of the editor or of the writer of the article and are not necessarily those of the University administration or the Board of Regents. The Battalion is a non-profit, i supporting enterprise operated htj student I as a university and community netvspapf | Editorial policy is determined by the editor