University of Virginia Library

Colloquium

Spong's Political Cover–Up

By JOHN BUCKLEY

(The following was
submitted in response to this
newspaper's endorsement of
incumbent Senatorial
candidate William B. Spong, Jr.
–Ed.)

Congressman William Scott,
soon to be Virginia's
Senator-elect, was commenting
on the presidential campaign at
a reception here in
Charlottesville just the other
day. As he put it, echoing
somewhat the sentiments of
the University's founder, Mr.
Jefferson, "That government is
best in which McGovern's
least!!"

It's a revealing statement, for
the outcome of Virginia's
Senate race this year may well
rest foursquare on the coattail
effects of Richard Nixon and
George McGovern.

It's about time the people of
Virginia realized that William
Scott, who has represented
Virginia's largest congressional
district for six years, is running
as much against McGovern as
against his principal opponent,
William Spong.

Spong, often described as the
more moral, principled man of
the two, must ironically sink
his re-election hopes on the
virtues of political expediency.
While he is certainly behind the
McGovern candidacy, he dare
not let it be known aloud.
Virginia voters wouldn't like it!

Scott, on the other hand, is
playing up his voting record as
much as possible. During the
last session of Congress, he
supported President Nixon 75%
of the time, as opposed to
Spong's negligible 25%. In fact,
Scott's race is one of about five
nationally in which Nixon
stands an excellent chance of
increasing his Senate support.

The race ultimately depends
on how well Scott can
enlighten the voters on the real
nature of Spong's political
character. Big government,
unlimited spending, and
unnecessary controls and
regulations are as inherent a
part of Spong's record as
individual freedom, moral
responsibility, and local
autonomy are a part of Scott's.

Unfortunately, much of the
campaign has involved personal
slur instead of debate on the
issues. To describe Scott as "to
the right of Genghis Khan" is
as illogical and unnecessary as
to label Spong a pantywaist
from the word "go".

It should be a campaign of
issues. Scott's doing his best to
bring them out: Spong's
working to cover up. That's
politics!!