JOHNSON AND KENNEDY IN ROCHESTER




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Background: President Lyndon Johnson and former U.S. Attorney General Robert Kennedy campaigned together in New York State on Thursday (15 October in a swing filled with unusual, behind the scenes drama.

The Democratic president said nothing and his demeanour revealed nothing of his reaction to the resignation late Wednesday night of his old friend and key aide Walter Jenkins. Jenkins, it was revealed, had been arrested in Washington last week and in 1958 on disorderly conduct charges involving moral offenses.

In stops in Buffalo and Rochester, two upstate New York State towns, the President waded into the crowds, shaking hands and smiling.

Robert Kennedy, brother of the late President Kennedy, is running for the U.S. Senate from New York, although he has been long identified with political life in neighbouring Massachusetts. He was also reported to have been at odds with President Johnson, and resigned his cabinet post (Attorney General) on that account.

Mr. Kennedy gave every appearance, however, of being delighted to be with Mr. Johnson. Accompanied by his wife, Ethel, Mr. Kennedy spoke at every stop about his enthusiasm for and affection for the President. Mr. Johnson, in his turn, told his noisy and enthusiastic audiences that "this country needs Robert Kennedy." He said that Kennedy's "great ability and talent" should be put to work for New York State, the nation and the entire world.

Mr. Kennedy is given about an even chance of carrying New York State against his Republican opponent, incumbent Senator Kenneth Keating.