Radical & Dominant?

In Indiana, where Republicanism's shell is hard as a turtle's, tart, redheaded Representative Charles Marion La Follette (third cousin of Wisconsin's Bob and Phil) is the "Wild Jackass." Elected to Congress in 1942, Lawyer La Follette has startled his G.O.P. colleagues by voting for New Deal measures, dismayed them by lectures on the evils of states' rights.

Last week Charlie La Follette startled but did not dismay the professional GOPsters of his state. He announced his candidacy for the Senate seat of stodgy, conservative Raymond E. Willis. Characteristically he stated: "The Republican Party is the vehicle presently available to the people to make it the radical party in America. 'Radical' means 'fundamental'; therefore it means 'forthright.' And forthright includes those intellectual and moral integrities which are essential to the maintenance of our republic. ... I want to see the Republican Party become the dominant party."

To make his bid, Charlie invited the 24 top GOPsters from his district to a dinner. Four showed up. Charlie La Follette cried: "The chips are down, the battle lines are drawn." But to most observers it just looked as if the Hoosier G.O.P. had drawn its head back into its shell--leaving Charlie outside.

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