Rocky in Rochester

In Rochester and Buffalo, 75 miles apart in upstate New York, Republicans and Democrats met for the election-year business of selecting candidates. Two days later the Democrats left Buffalo tattered and torn with party strife (see below), and beaming Republicans took dead aim on November with a unified front for an appealing ticket. The top Republican nominees: for Governor, square-jawed Millionaire Nelson Aldrich Rockefeller, 50, of Manhattan and Westchester County; for U.S. Senator, white-thatched U.S. Representative Kenneth Keating, 58, of upstate Rochester.

The convention was Rockefeller's all the way, but the road that led there had not been smooth. "I don't need to tell you," said Nelson Rockefeller after his nomination, "that I was not drafted for this nomination. I worked and fought from one end of the state to the other." He had done just that. Rockefeller's intensive campaign began last June. It started with a big name and a long record of public service as philanthropist and big businessman, as State Department expert on Latin American affairs, Under Secretary of the Health, Education and Welfare Department (1953-54), and military reorganization adviser to Defense Secretary Neil McElroy.

"Sex Appeal." But Rockefeller's big name was not necessarily a political asset, and he was completely untried as a candidate for elective office. He won the nomination by sheer drive and astute politics. Nelson Rockefeller became Political Hopeful "Rocky" Rockefeller, traveled the state in zealous quest of delegate votes, shook hands, slapped backs, kissed babies--and made friends. Of his announced opponents for the nomination, former Republican National Chairman Leonard Hall, longtime (14 years) Congressman and a veteran political pro, was the first to give way to the Rockefeller drive. Then followed State Senator Walter Mahoney and Manhattan's ex-U.S. Attorney Paul Williams.

Nelson Rockefeller thus faced the first ballot at Rochester unopposed and, as delegates waved banners proclaiming WE WANT ROCKY and ROLL WITH ROCK, his defeated rivals were still trying to figure out how he had done it. Pondered Leonard Hall: "There's magic in that name. I figured it would be just the opposite, that I'd go in and shake a woman's hand and that'd be that. Rockefeller did the same thing, and the women jumped for joy. I guess I didn't have that political sex appeal."

"Rarin' & Itchin'." With Rockefeller's nomination achieved, the Republicans in Rochester set about selecting a Senate running mate. Rochester's own Keating had obviously good credentials. A one-time high school Latin teacher, Keating took a law degree at Harvard ('23), went to the House in 1946, became a ranking member of the powerful House Judiciary Committee. Moreover, he rates as one of the smoothest television performers in politics, conducts weekly programs on eight upstate stations, holds no-holds-barred interviews with leading lights of both political parties.

But Ken Keating was far from anxious to run for the Senate this year; he was reluctant to give up his twelve years of House seniority, wanted some sort of assurance that the Republican Administration would not forget him if he should lose. Nominee Rockefeller urged Keating to accept the nomination. So did Tom Dewey. Finally, Rockefeller called Vice President Nixon, asked Nixon's help in persuading Keating. Nixon conferred with President Eisenhower, called Keating from Ike's office and again from his own. Both he and the President, said Nixon, were "extremely interested" in seeing Keating make the race. Added Nixon: "I will do everything in my power to help." Unsaid but implied: assurance that Ken Keating's future would be taken care of, win or lose. At that, Keating surrendered, that night accepted his nomination by acclamation, told fellow Republicans he was "rarin' and itchin' to go."

Neither Rockefeller, Keating, nor any other Republican thought ihe Democrats would be easy to beat. But Rocky Rockefeller promised to make the upcoming Battle of Millionaires a fascinating one. Said he of Millionaire Harriman: "I'll give him a run for his money."

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