William Tecumseh Scranton

"This is irrevocable," said Pennsylvania's G.O.P. Governor William Scranton. "I am not going to run ever again for any public office under any circumstances -- there are no equivocations of that statement." And so, after one term in Congress and almost four years in the Pennsylvania Statehouse, ended the political career of Bill Scranton, 48, one of the U.S.'s ablest executives and one of the Republican Party's brightest lights.

The announcement came as a shock to reporters. "Does that include being drafted?" asked a newsman. "Including being drafted," said Scranton. And to prove that he meant to be as unshakable as William Tecumseh Sherman ("If nominated, I will not accept; if elected, I will not serve"), Scranton added, "I am not going to run for Congress this year--or ever. I am not going to run for the U.S. Senate in 1968--or ever. I am not going to run for the presidency in 1968--or ever."

As for the Republican Party's 1968 presidential nomination, Scranton insisted that he was committed to no single candidate. But "you know I'd be for one of the moderate Republicans," he said. "George Romney is the outstanding one at the moment. He knows I think so. We hope he'll run, and I think he has the best chance." As for his own future, Scranton, whose gubernatorial duties continue until next January, did not slam the door on Washington speculation that Lyndon Johnson may want to appoint him an ambassador. "As far as appointive positions are concerned, I haven't given any thought to any of them anywhere, and I won't until I'm out of office." For the moment, he said, "no job has been offered me in business or in Government or in education or anywhere."

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