...Or in a Party?

If Agnew's voice does not ultimately prevail in 1976, it may well be because Republican ears are more finely attuned to the Texas drawl of Democrat John Bowden Connally. Any day now, his intimates insist, Big John will throw his other long leg over the fence into the Republican corral -- formally switching parties as a necessary step toward the Republican presidential nomination. Connally believes that he has been encouraged in his decision by Nixon. For weeks the President has been privately promoting the former Treasury Secretary as his possible successor. Through the alchemy of Connally's ambition, that tentative push has apparently been interpreted as a definite shove.

A respected conservative Washington newsletter, The Right Report, quotes that "Connally conservative 'can leaders win,' to the while expressing reservations about Vice President Democrat." Agnew's chances against a tough The question is how Connally will jockey for the best position. Possibilities seem to include a fourth term as Governor of Texas, this time as a Republican, or an appointment as Secretary of State if Nixon can find another spot for William Rogers.

Will a switch really hurt Connally? Traditionally, party jumpers have not done well in U.S. politics. The last man to try it and run for President was John Lindsay. He did run last year, didn't he? But of course Big John from Texas is a lot tougher, richer and more resourceful than Big John from New York.

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