New Hampshire shows the way
Through his courageous and impressively successful campaign in the New Hampshire presidential primary, Senator McCarthy has performed a priceless service to the United States. He has restored the increasing Ameri- can misgivings over the Vietnam war to their proper place in a democracy—in the forefront of the political debate. Whatever happens to his own political fortunes between now and the Democratic convention (and he would be the last man to make extravagant claims) the growing number of Americans who see the Vietnam war as a tragic mistake have gained a powerful place in the election forum. Senator McCarthy's achievement is omi- nous for President Johnson, of course, but not only for him. It places Senator Robert Kennedy in a position of the most acute diffi- culty. Until recently he has been his brother's natural heir as the leader of the idealistic young; by standing aside from the New Hampshire primary he placed this legacy in jeopardy. It is plain now that McCarthy gained his support to a striking extent from, and through the efforts of, the very sections of society which not long ago looked to Kennedy. After Tuesday's vote the defections from Kennedy will multiply. No commander, certainly not Kennedy, can afford to remain inactive when he sees his armies deserting him by whole regiments, and it may well be that Kennedy will join the presidential race not only in the hope of supplanting.Mr John- son this year, but in order to preserve his own future in public life.
For anyone to think of deposing a presi- dent from within his own party is, of course, to go against history. Mr Johnson retains what still looks like overwhelming strength to deploy at the Democrats' convention. But the McCarthy triumph, is an amazing event in itself : after that, all customary certainties appear more frail. One question which Demo- cratic politicians will try to answer now is, how much of the McCarthy vote was grounded on nothing more sophisticated than a plain distaste for the record and style of LBJ? The President's fallen popularity could be the determining factor in many an elec- toral calculation. It might also be an added spur to Senator Kennedy.
Mr Nixon emerges from this contest with the fewest questions to answer. He gathered overwhelming Republican support and left his nearest rival, Governor Rockefeller, with only the dimmest of prospects. Once again in his extraordinary career he has the scent of victory. But, as he knows better than any man, there are innumerable difficult corners still to negotiate. At least there is now a real chance of a new president in 1968, of one party or the other. And this would provide the best hope of all of a new flexibility over Vietnam.
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