Rocky Hits RFK

Oct. 20, 1964 - New York Governor Nelson Rockefeller termed Robert F. Kennedy a “Johnson reject” today as he campaigned upstate for the reelection of Senator Kenneth Keating (R-N.Y.) and the return of a Republican majority to the State Legislature.

Rockefeller, addressing party rallies in Schenectady, Oneonta, and Cobleskill, defended Keating’s refusal to support Barry Goldwater, the GOP Presidential candidate, asserting that Keating had no alternative in view of their differences on issues.

He leveled his strongest attack on Keating’s opponent at a luncheon at the Elks Club in Oneonta, declaring that the Democratic nomination had gone to Kennedy as a result of “an arrangement between old-time bosses in New York City and the Johnson reject.”

“He tried for the Vice Presidency,” the Governor said of Kennedy. “He wanted to be Ambassador to South Vietnam, and he wanted to be Secretary of State. If he’s not good enough for President Johnson,” he asked, “why should we send him to the Senate from New York?”

Rockefeller, while urging his listeners to “vote Row A all the way,” did not mention Goldwater by name in connection with his appeal for votes.

His talk at a street rally in Cobleskill was interrupted twice by hecklers.

“Why don’t you say something about Goldwater?” a man shouted.

“Mr. Goldwater is the head of the ticket,” the Governor replied. “I came here to support the local candidates and encourage you to vote Row A all the way.”

Rockefeller observed that his wife attended a reception for Mrs. Goldwater in New York City yesterday and recalled that he introduced the nominee at a rally in Albany last month.

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