Change of Heart

Last October, Michael Vincent Di Salle, Ohio's roly-poly Democratic Governor, announced that he would not be a candi date for re-election next November. Di Salle was discouraged by his failure to get social welfare bills through the Republican state legislature, saw an ill omen in Richard Nixon's 273,363-vote victory over John Kennedy in the state in 1960.

But Di Salle is the only solid candidate Ohio Democrats have for Governor, and without him, the whole state ticket might sag. Well aware of this, President Kennedy kept in friendly touch with Di Salle. Kennedy invited the Governor to sit with him at the Army-Navy game, fortnight ago went out to Columbus to speak at a testimonial dinner on Di Salle's 54th birthday--and to apply some subtle pressure. In addition. Ohio Democrats were rounding up some 200.000 signatures on petitions urging Di Salle to run.

Last week Mike Di Salle announced that he will seek re-election after all, started his campaign with a characteristic quip: "If nominated, I will run. If elected, I will serve." There is no doubt Di Salle will be nominated--but he may have some trouble getting elected. His likely opponent: James A. Rhodes, state auditor, former mayor of Columbus, co-author of books on Mary Todd Lincoln and Commodore Perry, and a Republican with a record that could draw some of labor's traditional support away from the Democrats.

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