Building a Base

Because Pennsylvania's constitution bars him from a second successive term, Republican Governor William Scranton must use 1966, his last year in office, to good advantage if he is to retain the power base necessary to sustain future political ambitions. First off, he has to guard the right to choose his party's gubernatorial nominee, then get him elected. The loyalty of a grateful ally would thus give Scranton control of the Pennsylvania delegation to the 1968 Republican convention, which he must have before he can even think of trying again for the presidential nomination.

Last week 400 state Republican leaders caucused in Harrisburg to begin framing their 1966 ticket. Among them were the five contenders for the top spot. On personal grounds, Bill Scranton would prefer State Attorney General Walter Alessandroni, his closest political lieutenant and his campaign manager in the 1964 preconvention period. But Scranton decided instead on Lieutenant Governor Raymond P. Shafer, 48, a lawyer whose effective campaigning has put him ahead in the opinion polls. While publicly maintaining that there was "no leading candidate," Scranton privately informed the four also-rans that Shafer was his man. Said State G.O.P. Chairman Craig Truax, a loyal Scranton man: "I don't know how anyone can stop Shafer. I don't look for any trouble."

Discreet Hand. Scranton has been dodging trouble himself by avoiding any premature disclosure of his future plans. He has kept a deft, discreet hand in national Republican affairs--just enough to hold onto his credentials as a Republican to be reckoned with. He participated in formation of the Republican Coordinating Committee last year and has otherwise supported National Chairman Ray Bliss. While counseling amity between the party's "responsible conservatives" and "progressives" (a term he prefers over "moderate"), he has also taken the now mandatory slap at the "radical fringe." In the fall he campaigned in New Jersey for the Republican gubernatorial candidate, Wayne Dumont, who lost, and in Philadelphia for the Republican nominee for district attorney, Arlen Specter, who won.

Most of Scranton's time since the 1964 election has been spent minding the Statehouse store in Harrisburg--and minding it well, despite a few tussles with the Democratic-controlled lower house. Scranton can claim credit for promoting considerable industrial expansion in a state that had been experiencing some economic distress. In a period when governmental deficits are common, he has moved Pennsylvania's budget well into the black. This record, like his secure power base at home, will be very comforting if he takes another run at the presidency.

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