American people. Their anger is mounting as they see more and more clearly that JOhnson's involvement of the U.S. in Vietnam is nothing but a slimy war of colonial conquest that can escalate into a nuclear catastrophe.
CONGRESSMEN AFRAID TO. FACE AMERICAN. PEOPLE
Ordinarily at this time in an election year, U.S. congressmen do everything possible to get out of Washington and back home. First of ali, in the summer months. Washington is like a frying pan. Secondly, there is always urgent pelitical fence-mending to be done. before the voters go to:the polls. Consequently they ‘try to adjourn Congress and take off.
This year it's different. The original plans to adjourn by July have been scrapped. They may even stay. in Washington until October. The reason, : ‘explains William McGaffin in his June 6 column, "is because the members would rather be in Washington than -back home answering questions about the war in Viet Nan. "
“Because. this: is ‘a genfusing, unpopular war," continues. - : McGaffin, "these sources regard it as a threat to every incumbent in Congress who is up for election regardless of party affiliation. sos
It might seem that the. ‘Republicans would stand to gain, since Johnson, who escalated the war in Vietnam, is head of the Democratic party. But the Republicans have been backing Johnson's escalation of the wars After: all it was Goldwaten | :) platform. 1
-MeGaffin quotes a "prominent Republican" as summing up the. situation as follows: Deny ons
"When I go home to campaign, I find that the sotiee an “vexit
to: talk about anything else except-the war in Viet Nam. As for me, I would like to talk about anything except that. —
"It's an awkward situation ‘even for us Republicans. “Under the circumstances, we would rather have an excuse to keep us in Wushington as long as possible so that we won't have to spend | so much time at home fielding ‘questions about Viet Nan." ,
Uncomfortable as Washington is, they prefer the heat there to jumping in the fire on the home front. -
KY'S