A Spectator, in a Way

Defining his role in the campaign, President Eisenhower told his press conference last week that he would be "just a spectator, in a way." But a moment later he made it clear he was ready to be a hard-rooting spectator, and would deliver a series of speeches for Nixon-Lodge. "I don't know how many. But they will give me their ideas and if I agree, why, that is what I will do. because I am going to do whatever I can to elect Mr. Nixon and Mr. Lodge, and you can bet on that."

Except for four "nonpolitical" speaking engagements--three in one day (Sept. 26) in Philadelphia and Manhattan, one in Detroit (Oct. 17)--and two televised political speeches, one on election eve. Ike's campaign schedule is far from firm, but his strategic approach has already been settled on. His No. 1 campaign task: wooing the independents whose help Nixon needs most. Even in avowedly political speeches, the White House indicated, Ike would not attack Democrats in general. "New Dea: Democrats" or "spending Democrats" (both bad) would be contrasted with "discerning Democrats" (who might be won to Nixon).

For one evening last week, the President was indeed just a spectator--at his first baseball game since the season's opener. With him were two of his four grandchildren: David, 12, and Barbara Anne, 11. Despite the lopsided score (Boston 11, Washington 3), the President stuck it out to the end of the ninth. "My grandchildren wouldn't let me leave," he explained.

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