University of Virginia Library

Diversity In The States

A liberal Republican party
would, whenever possible, seek to
use the states (in Nelson
Rockefeller words) as "laboratories"
and as spaces for diversity.

At the same time, however, it
would not let states, cities, or
interest groups subvert programs
designed to expand opportunity for
all people. I once defended the
governor's veto on War on Poverty
projects. I was wrong. Were all the
nation's states governed by
Republican progressives like Nelson
Rockefeller of New York, William
Scranton of Pennsylvania (and the
long list more) such a veto would
not be abused. Some states however
are ruled by John Bell Williams,
who would be killers of the federal
dream.