"Kennedy by a wide electoral margin in 1960," predicted Max Lerner last night. The author and journalist who is currently professor of American Civilization at Brandeis told an agreeable overflow audience at the Ford Hall Forum that the popular vote may be close, but, because key states have similar issues and problems, the electoral vote will be overwhelmingly for the Massachusetts senator.

The only escape clause in Lerner's prediction was what he called "the incalculable religious issue," to which he would attribute an unlikely Kennedy loss.

Among other Lerner prognostications: A Democratic administration will shift the power in Congress away from conservative Southerners. A summit meeting will be held by March. Adlai Stevenson will be named United Nations Ambassador--"the perfect spot for him." There will be "rough sailing economically for whoever wins." "The United States will regain its prestige lost in the struggle of ideas and weapons with the Soviet Union."

Importance of Debates

Lerner, who deserted the Democrats only once, in 1948, when he voted for Socialist candidate Norman Thomas, said that he would not have picked Kennedy over Nixon three weeks ago. "Then something happened." That "something" was the series of television debates--"the epical change of our times."

The party that could not afford much TV time (the Democrats, according to Lerner) now has the same opportunity as the wealthy party. Voters have been exposed to the full impact of the two personalities; and the side-by-side comparisons has killed Nixon's experience argument, he said.

Before the TV debates, Nixon held the edge on the experience and religious issues, the Lodge nomination, Eisenhower's popularity, and Nixon's "a platform is not to stand on but to build on" approach, declared Lerner. But the debates have altered the situation significantly.