Let George Do It

New York's Nelson Rockefeller made no news at all last week when he insisted yet again: "I am not running for President, and I mean it!" When, for a change, a visitor remarked that he believed the Governor, Rockefeller hardly knew what to say. Pumping the believer's hand, he murmured: "Bless you."

Both the denial and the benediction were convincing. Rockefeller is not only not running; he is not, as skeptics would have it, pussyfooting, horse trading, base stealing, or even conspiring to win the G.O.P. nomination. Indeed, with each new endorsement of George Romney and each well-publicized gesture of assistance to Michigan's Governor, Rockefeller has made his position all the more clear. He firmly believes that Romney is the Republican with the best chance of being both nominated and elected in 1968.

Rockefeller is also aware of his own unpopularity among party workers, who have long memories of 1964 when, after vigorously seeking the nomination, Rocky refused to support Barry Goldwater. Richard Nixon, for one, is known to feel that because of this a Rockefeller nomination next year is out of the question. For Rockefeller to flicker an eyelash toward the prize now would split his fellow moderates, give the conservatives a large target and brand him as a hypocrite.

Lord Nelson's Flag. Thus Rockefeller has been Romney's loudest cheerleader for a solid year. He has not only spoken out in public but has also urged other Republican leaders--including some who personally prefer Rockefeller--to join Romney's cause. He has turned over to the infant Romney organization the names of thousands of political contacts and onetime Rockefeller campaign workers. Romney researchers were given access to some 30 looseleaf volumes of his research material on is sues. A number of former Rockefeller aides have already signed with the Romney organization, and some of the New Yorker's present staffers have been serving him as occasional consultants.

Last week Rockefeller even encouraged New York Republican State Chairman Carl Spad to resign his job and go to work for Romney. An astute political pro, Spad, 50, has been in Rockefeller's inner circle for nine years, was his chief patronage dispenser and also labored hard on behalf of the New Yorker's presidential bids in 1960 and 1964. In the Romney camp, Spad will probably work under Leonard Hall, chairman of the Washington-based Romney for President Committee.

Is Rocky's strategy 100% altruism? Probably closer to 99%. If, despite all his efforts, the Romney campaign for the nomination were to be clearly failing a year from now, Lord Nelson might then with good grace allow himself to be towed forcibly into the convention under his own flag.

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