University of Virginia Library

The Lively Ones

State Senator Henry Howell's visit here
recently was just a taste of the beginning of
what is shaping up to be one of the
Commonwealth's liveliest gubernatorial
elections in years.

In the left corner of the political arena, Mr.
Howell represents a new faction of liberal
Democrats from the Tidewater area. This is
the home of Sidney Kellem, former National
Democratic Committeeman, who was state
chairman for the Kennedy campaign. This
area also bred the moderate liberal (for
Virginia) U.S. Senator William B. Spong.

In the right corner stands T. Marshall
Hahn, distinguished president of Virginia
Polytechnic Institute, who repeatedly insists
he is not running for the nomination for
governor but if there is a sincere desire on the
part of many people in the state, he goes on.

Refereeing this whole affair is the former
U.S. Ambassador to Australia, son of former
Governor John S. Battle and a Charlottesville
lawyer, William C. Battle. An alumnus of the
University, he represents the middle road vote
and reportedly has the progressive-leaning
vote of the type that backed Sen. Spong is his
primary victory over U.S. Sen. A. Willis
Robertson.

Governor Mills E. Godwin still lurks in the
background of all this, primarily concerned
with his education and mental hospital bond
issue, which will be voted on in November,
than about his successor. In fact, he was
somewhat miffed when Mr. Pollard
announced his candidacy before November
since the Governor wanted the spot light to be
on the bond issue rather than the primary
race.

We have not yet decided which one of
these men would make the best Democratic
candidate, although certainly a graduate of
the University is more attractive than a Hokie
from VPI (who sports a crew cut). But it is
comforting to know that Virginia, a fabled
"political museum piece," is enjoying some
discussion, that things have not been decided
ahead of time in an apple grove in northern
Virginia, and that the eventual outcome is
currently unpredictable in a state where,
according to Mr. Howell, a governor could be
picked eight years ahead of time. C.L.W.