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Politicos disagree on election
By BETSY WRIGHT
Campus political leaders disagree on the bows and whys of Tuesday's elections.
It is, in fact, hard to find one who considers his party the true victor or vanquished.
Chet McLaughlin, Bethesda, Md., senior and Collegiate Young Democrats' (CYD) chairman, evaluated the election results in terms of voters' emotions.
"I THINK PEOPLE voted for Docking and then they got to feeling guilty that they had voted for a Democrat," McLaughlin said, "As they went down the ballot they kept feeling guilty, so they voted Republican all the rest of the way."
The CYD chairman attributed Docking's victory to "Hard work, good publicity, taxes and Avery.
"Everywhere Avery appeared and opened his mouth he made a mistake," McLaughlin said. "His
inability to think and speak well on his feet really hurt him."
mcLaughlin, however, said that Docking's position in regard to his Republican legislature will be awkward.
"I WOULDNT TAKE his position for all the marbles in China," McLaughlin said. "A thing like this shouldn't happen to any nice young man."
Bill Porter, Topeka senior and State Collegiate Young Republicans' (CYR) chairman, saw the picture for Republicans optimistically, in spite of the gubernatorial defeat.
"I think if Docking tries to cut down on a lot of the tax money, like cutting down on University funds, he will have a problem. The legislature will probably want to go along with Avery's programs. I'll be very surprised if Docking can make any real tax cuts," Porter said.
"In general I think we did real well Tuesday," Porter said. "I feel that many things outside of the realm of Republican party politics contributed to Avery's defeat. The most important were probably the tax issue and Avery's personality.
Steve Friesen, Russell senior and KU CYR chairman, disagreed with McLaughlin and Porter on explanations of Avery's defeat.
"in 1956 when George Docking won, I think the people were displeased with the Republican
"I DON'T THINK Avery's personality had anything to do with it," Friesen said. "He meets people well and I think his speaking delivery has improved considerably during his recent years in office.
Party as a whole. This is certainly not the case this year—we've had fantastic results in every field." Porter said.
"I THINK this time Avery just didn't come across to the voter, not even to the Republican voter. Something in his personality just failed to endear him to the voters."
Porter felt that Docking's success with his Republican legislature will depend upon what he wants to put through.
"I think the actual defeat arose because of the tax increase, but he did what had to be done. I was a little disappointed that he poured $200 million into the University and people didn't seem too appreciative," Friesen said.
Friesen, too, felt that Docking's legislative success will depend upon his policies.
"In my mind the newly elected governor actually had no platform except taxes. So what he can get done in the legislature will probably depend upon what kind of a platform he comes up with." Friesen said.
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Daily Kansan
Thursday, November 10, 1966