Guess Who's for Richard Nixon

THERE is no way of telling a Democrat for Nixon unless he says he is one, but the defectors come from all segments of the party and from all parts of the country. James and Elliott Roosevelt have joined their brother John, long a Republican, in backing the President. That leaves just two of F.D.R.'s children--Franklin Jr. and Anna Halsted--remaining faithful to the party.

No incumbent Democratic Governor, Senator or Congressman has come out for Nixon (whatever their private reservations about McGovern), but several mayors have, including Frank Rizzo of Philadelphia, David Kennedy of Miami, Louie Welch of Houston and Beverly Briley of Nashville.

In view of McGovern's position on economic issues, it is not too surprising that a number of businessmen have deserted him. Among them: Robert Six, president of Continental Airlines; Eugene Klein, chairman of the board of National General Corporation, and a Humphrey backer; and August Busch, chairman of the board of Anheuser-Busch--forsaking the party that ended prohibition. Almost as predictable by this time is the defection of portions of labor. Converts include Teamster President Frank Fitzsimmons; Kenneth Lyons, president of the National Association of Government Employees; and J.M. Calhoon, president of the National Marine Engineers Beneficial Association, which gave COPE its single biggest contribution in 1970. The catch from show business includes Milton Berle, Sammy Davis Jr., Frank Sinatra, Debbie Reynolds, Danny Thomas, Eva Gabor, and Sonny & Cher.

The President has made a special pitch to various ethnic groups who normally vote Democratic, and many of them have returned the compliment. Albert Gee, grand president of the Chinese-American Citizens Alliance, is supporting Nixon. So is Sam Nakis, past supreme president of the Greek-American organization AHEPA. Among Jewish defectors are Rabbi Herschel Schacter, former chairman of the Conference of Presidents of Jewish Organizations; and David Luchins, who headed the 1972 Jewish Youth for Humphrey. Blacks have been the staunchest holdouts against Republican blandishments, but Nixon has been able to pick up the backing of Athlete-Actor Jim Brown, Singer James Brown, Floyd McKissick and Tuskegee Mayor Johnny Ford, who admits that he is supporting the President because he has been promised up to $4,000,000 in federal funds for his city.

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