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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 9, 1978)
■ j Wttm "‘What the voters decided . THE BATTALION Page 5 THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1978 Tower edges Krueger in Senate race lit Ri approved, >ntana,tii f downbi United Press International DALLAS — Republican John G. f allowed fewer, w ^° more than any other Jitician helped bring traditionally emocratic Texas into the two- arty system, successfully fought off is most dedicated opponent Tues- ayand won a spot in the U.S. Se- ate through 1984. Tower, along with upset guber- atorial winner Bill Clements and would ur triumphant U.S. House candi- ates, gave the GOP its strongest awer base in the 142-year history 'the state. “I think this is the harbinger of etwo-party system in Texas,” said liting dl jwer, basking in the warm sun- eyondtif '' ne outside his Wichita Falls adquarters. He admitted he had >en tense through the long night of ite counting and that he slept very [tie while the outcome was in >ubt. Tower, a 17-year veteran of the mate, held off the challenge of holarly, hard-nosed campaigner )b Krueger, who ran an aggressive ce that made the election one of “101 Oltct! costs, 'rs, in rt- »1 busiu, this yea. homes, al iblicansj rom Wfc ains in tie 'aces a mays h, D-Fon ly woniaj ans in tlr the closest statewide ballotings in in history. With only scattered returns left to count Wednesday Tower had polled 1,127,711 votes to 1,112,284 for Krueger. “I’m aware of the closeness of the race and therefore am sharply con scious of my responsibility to con tinue an effort to reflect the majority of the people of this state over the next six years,” said Tower, who if he fulfills the six-year term will be come the fourth longest serving senator in the state’s history. Tower, after claiming victory in Wichita Falls, flew to Austin for a victory party. Krueger, meanwhile, appeared at his Austin headquarters and said: “If the incumbent senator is re tained in office, I wish him well and wish the people of our state well in his service.” Tower and Krueger spent $6 mil lion between them and conducted a bloodthirsty campaign, the high light of which came when Tower re fused to shake Krueger’s hand at a joint appearance in Houston. That dramatic moment was rec orded by a photographer and given widespread publicity. “It’s over now,” Tower said. “I think I am generally known as a man who doesn’t carry a grudge. I feel no bitterness, no rancor.” But when asked whether he would shake Krueger’s hand now. Tower said: “We ll have to wait and see if the circumstances ever present them selves.” held that that would be reported immediately to the legal staff and they would take appropriate ac tion.” Martinez also said that it was To wer’s beliefs the state has moved into a new era of political thinking. “He feels the Democratic party was campaigning as if this was Texas politics of some years ago,” Mar tinez said. “They came on so strong in varous areas — San Antonio, the Valley, West Texas and Central Texas. They were insisting that vot ers pull the single lever, vote Dem ocrat, don’t vote for a Republican. “And the truth is that Senator Tower had already recognized in almost every community in our state the attitude was look at the man.” During the critical hours of the ballot counting Tuesday night, Tower said he ordered campaign workers in parts of the state to keep a close watch on ballot boxes. “As the election wore on into the night, there were a number of coun ties which seemed to be late in re porting. So he (Tower) had his legal staff focus on them,” Tower aide David Martinez said. “I think they simply made sure that if there was any activity any where around where the boxes were Paul defeats ‘rival’ Gammage for Senate nilsuka ^BROOKS £3conVERSE Men’s & women’s tennis apparel T-Shirts & custom-design transfers Complete selection of athletic clothing OPEN 9:30-6:00 Lockrr Room 822 VILLA MARIA RD ‘SPORTSHOES UNLIMITED’’ ACROSS FROM MANOR EAST MALL 779-9484 Voters reject incumbents larrow gap in Congress United Press International lividuali jo inciuj. The Democrats won another our other eo-year lease on Congress and a i primin ajority of the nation’s govemor- presentr lips in Tuesday’s mid-term elec- not seei ans, but voters sent packing a long madetle it of incumbents from both parties, rvative," Governors and senators fell like pe fruit in a high wind. But the tpayers’ revolt supposedly kicked Fby California’s Proposition 13 last mmer stirred the air more gently autumn. ly one in- May aii! not seel orenuii ■rate-to- n t office tional ;s last sday. $450 ie tax said, ficant sibil- dded s but its to s and onds local erly, r the >n its th in ould Incumbent casualties included Republican Sens. Robert Griffin of Michigan and Edward Brooke of Massachusetts, the Senate’s only black; and Democratic Sens. Floyd Haskell of Colorado, Dick Clark of Iowa, Wendell Anderson of Min nesota, William Hathaway of Maine and Thomas McIntyre of New Hampshire. But in Texas, incumbent Repub lican Sen. John Tower squeezed out a razor thin victory over challenging Democratic Congressman Bob Krueger. And Texans elected mul timillionaire oilman Bill Clements as their first GOP governor in 105 years. Anti-incumbent fever also struck the governors. Losers included Re publicans Meldrim Thomson of New Hampshire, Robert Bennett of Kansas and Democrats Bob Straub of Oregon and Martin Schreiber of Wisconsin. United Press International HOUSTON— Former Republican congressman Ron Paul, who unsuccessfully protested his ’QTO election loss all the way to the House of Representatives, Wea, 'sday unseated arch rival Rep. Bob Gammage in their fourth race in the past three years. Paul credited superior organization for his victory. Gammage, who barely ousted Paul two years ago then fought off Paul’s spirited protest to fellow House members, agreed Paul was better organized, but said a low turnout of his supporters also figured in the defeat. The News Election Service showed Paul received 54,626, or 51 percent of the vote, to Gammage’s 53,441, or 49 percent. Aides said Gammage was unlikely to follow Paul’s example in fight ing the outcome all the way to the House. The margin of victory, though close, was 1,185 compared to 287 two years ago. “My organization really worked,” said Paul, 43, a Lake Jackson obstetrician. “Over the years, I kept in touch with all of my people. I had an army. They are totally dedicated to the things we believe in. ” “He was better organized than we were,” agreed Gammage, 40, a lawyer and former state senator. “The only thing that could hurt us was a low turnout and that’s what happened. Our voters didn’t go to the polls.” But Paul said political attitudes were a major factor, too. “The issues were with me. A year from now it is unbelievable what people are going to have to put up with unless we get a handle on the federal budget,” Paul said. Gammage aide Dan Jensen said reports of election discrepancies would be checked, and if it appeared they could alter the outcome, they might be challenged. But he said Gammage’s memories of Paul’s 1976 election challenge were painful. “Congressman Gammage feels that, if he was beaten and beaten fair and square, then why drag it out any more,’’Jensen said. lements promises cooperation t did eve- United Press International AUSTIN — Democratic office )!ders said they expect to get along th Texas’ first Republican gover- >r in 105 years as long as he tends the governor’s job and “doesn’t yto meddle.” Governor-elect Bill Clements :gan telephoning Democratic of- *holders before Attorney General hn Hill conceded the race at 1:30 m. Wednesday. Hill told reporters he believes the avily Democratic Legislature and her Democratic officials will coop- ate with Clements. T feel confident the Democratic embers of the House and Senate 11 act responsibly and respon- rely,” Hill said. “I don’t think ere’s going to be any statement or nfrontation unless he creates it.” Clements said he talked with Lt. ov. William Hobby and Speaker Clayton and anticipated no oblems. Twill stress three things,” Cle- ents said. “Communiciation, operation and coordination. We iveall three agreed this is the way will formulate legislation.” Hobby said he pledged full coop- ition with Clements but expected le change in legislative opera- ms or his own activities. He’ll do what governors do and I’ll do what lieutenant governors do,” Hobby said. “Gov. Briscoe and I always had very good communica tion and on legislation where I agreed with him I tried to help him. I would anticipate the same rela tionship with Mr. Clements.” Clayton said dealing with a Re publican chief executive will be a new experience but said he antici pates no problems. “It’s always been my position that a governor, as long as he recognizes the division of powers and does pot try to meddle in the legislative branch things are going to work out,” Clayton said. “I really think probably Clements understands that.” Clayton said he was favorably im pressed at Clement’s cooperative at titude and suggestion for a meeting with the Democratic officials next week after he takes a short vacation. Clayton said Clements will need legislative approval to implement some of the proposals he made dur ing his campaign, such as slashing the number of state employees. Clements told reporters, “I will have no hesitancy to use my veto power.” Hobby, however, said the gover nor’s veto power is not as great as it might appear because spending bills can be written in a manner to make it impossible to forbid specific spending items without blocking spending for essential programs. Comptroller Bob Bullock, with his own aspirations for the gover nor’s office, said he feels sorry for Clements. “I said I felt like I was the new kid on the block when I came over here,” Bullock said. “But I was a Democrat like the others who were already in office.” Bullock said state agency officials “could make it extremely difficult” for Clements if they desire, but he does not expect any such reaction and said he intends to “help him in any way I can.” “There’s no question the man’s a successful businessman,” Bullock said. “I think he’s going to find run ning the state is different from run ning a business. When you run a state you’re not out to make a profit, you’re out to provide a service.” JfUlEAK CLAJjr rtSP» v :> v During Spring Break (in your People Book) TRIP COURTESY OF EXECUTIVE TRAVEL (WINNER MUST BE 18 YEARS OF AGE) 209 UNIVERSITY 846-4771 OPEN MON.-SAT. WE BUY BOOKS EVERY DAY! And remember we give 20% more in trade for used books. LOUPOT’S BOOKSTORE Northgate - Across from the Post Office non- erty The Green Jungle s Up [S of E. University Drive • 846-3778 (Across from Fed Mart) Get your corsages for the formal at a 15% dis count with the coupon from the student pur- chase program booklet. ( - Is ' "FOR THE AGGIE WHO WANTS TO PLEASE" complete floral service l UNIVERSITY CENTER SCHEDULING NOTICE Something New at the Old Peanut Gallery TONIGHT "THANK GOD IT'S THURSDAY! (Night) 1 BEER, WINE, had c COKES ‘ BAK rs & CHAMPAGNE drinks Vz PRICE CALL ICE CREAM DRINKS $ 3.50 Guys $ 2.50 Girls APPLICATIONS FOR MEETING ROOMS IN THE UNIVERSITY CENTER COMPLEX FOR RECOG NIZED STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS, CLUBS, AND GOVERNING BODIES WILL BE ACCEPTED FOR THE 1979 SPRING SEMESTER (JAN. 15 - MAY 11) IN THE SCHEDULING OFFICE, 2ND FLOOR, RUDDER TOWER BEGINNING AT 8:00 A.M., WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1978. APPLICA TION FORMS MAY BE OBTAINED IN THE SCHED ULING OFFICE, 2ND FLOOR, RUDDER TOWER. “Where Everybody Meets 9 * 813 Wellborn Rd. Bryan-College Station 9 s Big City Disco WATCH FOR OUR “SURE HAPPY IT’S TUESST. A V 846-1100 TUESDAY