The Connolly Conversion

"It's the first time in recorded history that a rat has swum toward a sinking ship." Thus did former Democratic Senator Ralph Yarborough brutally characterize the conversion of his old Texas antagonist John Connally to the Republican Party last week. But even if the G.O.P. is in trouble because of Watergate, it seemed a shrewd time for Connally to come aboard. If he wants to be captain himself some day, it is helpful to demonstrate that stormy weather does not faze him. He wants Republicans to say in effect: "He came over when we needed him more than he needed us."

Though he had been on the brink of moving for some time, Connally's final decision came suddenly. He had not talked it over with Richard Nixon. After the President gave his speech on Watergate, Connally phoned his congratulations but avoided mentioning his own political plans. Next day he mulled over the speech, then made up his mind. "Watergate is a sordid mess," he explained at a press conference in a Houston bank, where he is a director. "But it was a silly, stupid, illegal act performed by individuals. The Republican Party didn't do it."

Out of Hand. Connally had had his own clashes with the protective White House staff over his personal access to the President. He told a friend: "It's simply incredible that they could let things get this far out of hand, not only with regard to Watergate but with regard to Congress. The Government isn't entirely run by the White House, but that's what those guys thought."

Though there were rumors that Connally might be appointed Secretary of State or head a White House cleanup, he insisted that he has not been offered a post in Washington or even sounded out for one. At the moment, he plans to stay in Houston, where he is engaged in various business ventures. "I don't want to go up there again," he said. "I haven't been out of it long enough for it to suit me." His wife Nellie, who dutifully joined him in political conversion, also prefers Houston. Added Connally: "We all serve in different ways. John Milton wrote: 'They also serve who only stand and wait.' Hopefully, that's the role I can play."

A waiting game is not his customary strategy, but it makes good political sense. There is no question that Connally would like to be President, but he chooses not to be too forward about it. He does not want to offend Republican regulars by seeming the brash interloper. He rejected the advice of former White House Special Counsel Charles Colson, who suggested that Connally go on national television and urge other Democrats to follow him into the G.O.P. "It would be presumptuous," said the former pillar of Texas Democracy, "to assume that the Republican Party has been breathlessly awaiting my entry to find out what they were going to do."

He knows, moreover, that front runners for the presidency are especially vulnerable to attack. So he is more than willing to lie low for a time. A Gallup poll taken last month showed that Spiro Agnew was the top choice among Republicans, with 35%. Reagan came next (20%), while Connally was third (15%). As time goes by, Connally's standing could easily rise. There have been tantalizing hints that he is Nixon's first choice. Though his Texas wheeler-dealer image may hurt him a bit because of the public revulsion over Watergate, he is at least as forceful, articulate and personable as any of his G.O.P. rivals.

Whatever his future in the Republican Party, Connally has no regrets about leaving the Democrats. They are "more fragmented now than at any time in my life," he said. "The Democratic Party has moved so far left that it has left behind the majority of Americans who occupy the great middle ground. I had a choice. I could either retire from political life, or I could join the Republican Party. I don't feel like I'm ready to retire yet [at age 56]." And he winked.

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