Aug. 10, 1964 - The New York Democratic state chairman said today that he planned to encourage Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy to run for the U.S. Senate from New York this fall “because he would be a great candidate.” (Pictured below, Mr. Kennedy steps off an elevator today at the Americana Hotel.)
William McKeon, the chairman, had previously been regarded as a backer of Representative Samuel Stratton, an undeclared candidate for Senator.
The Attorney General, in New York to speak at the convention of the American Bar Association, had made it clear earlier today that he would not be a candidate unless he had the support of Mayor Robert Wagner.
“Under no circumstances,” he said, “would I ever have considered, or would I now consider, coming into the state of New York against the wishes of the Mayor.”
A few minutes later, in a brief sidewalk news conference, Wagner told reporters: “If he is available, he is the type of person who would make an exceptionally fine candidate. I’m sure that he would win.”
McKeon’s declaration, together with other developments today, appeared to increase the likelihood that Kennedy would be nominated at the Democratic State Convention, which is to be held Sept. 1 at the Manhattan Center.
Joseph Ciccolanti, chairman of the Putnam County Democratic Committee, endorsed the Attorney General. This was considered significant because many upstate leaders and several Italian groups had expressed hostility to a Kennedy candidacy.
In addition, it was learned that a group of influential liberal Democrats in New York City and the suburbs were arranging to announce at a dinner tomorrow night that they were supporting Kennedy.
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