Undeclared Campaign

Launching his undeclared presidential campaign in earnest last week, Maine's Edmund Muskie flew to California and Oregon in search of two essential political commodities--campaign funds and a theme for his candidacy.

The money began flowing in reasonably well, considering that Democratic contributors are reluctant to commit themselves to one candidate so early in what may prove to be a very crowded race. After a series of private meetings with potential backers in Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco, Muskie came away with pledges that would put him over his goal for the trip: $150,000. One night, 250 guests--including such luminaries as Henry Fonda, Burt Lancaster and Roosevelt Grier--paid $250 each to dine at the Beverly Hills Hotel with Ed and his wife Jane.

The theme of Muskie's campaign will be slower to emerge. So far, he is relying heavily on his public image as a man of prudence and decency. Clearly, that will not be enough to sustain the long haul of a campaign. In his California appearances, Muskie seemed to confirm that while he can inspire confidence, he rarely arouses passion in his audiences. But his understated style can be eloquent. Meeting with 100 potential Democratic supporters in Monte Sereno, Muskie delivered an extemporaneous talk that many listeners found moving.

"I believe deeply," he said, "in the capacity of this country to serve the decent instincts of her own people and of mankind." He was less successful in speaking at the Alameda County fairgrounds where, hampered by a cough, he shouted hoarsely into the microphone and uncharacteristically slashed the air with Kennedy-style gestures.

Before a Labor Day audience in Los Angeles, Muskie bore down on the President's economic policies, which he believes will remain a prime issue through the campaign year. He advocated specific alternatives, including $3.5 billion in emergency relief for state and local governments instead of $5 billion in accelerated depreciation benefits for business. In place of the President's $8 billion investment tax credit for corporations, he suggested $100 tax credits for taxpayers who buy major consumer items other than cars.

After touring the new Martin Luther King Jr. Hospital in Watts, Muskie sat down for a private talk with 35 black leaders of Los Angeles. One of them asked if he would have a black man as a running mate. It was a question, as Muskie later put it, that had only three answers: "Yes, no or maybe." With stunning frankness, he gave a firm no. "If I run," he said, "it would be for the purpose of winning in order to do something about the problems affecting black people in this country. I think that in view of the climate in the country today, if a black man were on the ticket, we would both lose."

No Open Arms. Such a statement, if made by Richard Nixon, might have caused a national uproar. Some politicians thought he had made a gaffe as damaging as the "brainwashing" statement that capsized George Romney's candidacy four years ago. As it turned out, the answer stirred hardly a ripple of comment. The blacks at the meeting politely thanked Muskie for his candor--although one participant said later: "He won't be a candidate the black community will welcome with open arms." Were Muskie nominated, however, he would almost certainly be the choice of most black voters over Nixon.

For the one-day trip north to Oregon, Frank Sinatra lent Muskie his private 12-seat Grumman jet. The pilot, in some confusion about the schedule, landed in Portland instead of Eugene, and taxied around vainly in search of a welcoming party. "It's hard to make a speech here," Muskie quipped to an aide. "There are no terminal facilities." Once put down properly in Eugene, he attended a party meeting where he argued with a Women's Lib group about abortion--he opposes it, favors disseminating more information about birth control instead.

At one point in Los Angeles, Muskie talked about being "conscious of my weaknesses and shortcomings." Then he added: "And I'm awed by the responsibility I presume to seek." But it probably won't be until the first of the year that Muskie makes his presidential candidacy official.

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