Signs of Life

Ravaged by internal bickering, defeatism and campaign debts of $8.3 million, the Democratic Party these days has a moribund air. Last week, nonetheless, there were signs of life.

Edmund Muskie, after months of apparent soul-searching, came out galloping toward the 1972 Democratic presidential nomination. The junior Senator from Maine delivered a hard, partisan denunciation of Republican Viet Nam policy, pooh-poohed Richard Nixon's "Silent Majority," and accused the press of softening its criticism and analysis of the war. Considering his normally deliberative, restrained manner, Muskie emerged as a pugnacious contender. He accused the Administration of falsely lulling the populace: Viet Nam has been "transformed in the public mind from the most critical issue of the times to just another policy problem." Muskie favors renewed debate on the war and greater emphasis on the Paris peace talks.

Whoever carries the party standard in 1972 will need a much better organization than the present one. After a series of fumbles, the Democratic National Committee unanimously elected as national chairman Lawrence O'Brien (TIME, March 2). The former J.F.K. aide has served in the post before and is regarded as the best political strategist available for the job.

This file is automatically generated by a robot program, so reader's discretion is required.