"There is a respected place in politics for the honest conservative but the languid liberal is of little use. We need progressives who will stand up and fight for a program suited to the needs of a new age. We cannot find them among these who cower before the brew beating of domestic reactionaries. The time of decision is upon us. Either we stand up together, united, or we may lose the opportunity for a political, moral, and spiritual rebirth of American democracy. If this battle is lost at home, It may be lost throughout the world. Either the people and their leaders reaffirm their faith in action or they accept... tyranny.... The choice is simple, though the consequences are profound. I have made my choice and I believe the people are making theirs."--William H. Meyer, May, 1960.

William H. Meyor is a political anomaly. An articulate progressive in an often unintelligibly conservative state, he has managed to make his advanced ideas part of Vermont's everyday political discourse. A politician whose chief desire is to see the world attain peace with freedom, Meyer has expressed ideas that have been represented as ones which could lead to war. A man whose honesty no one questions, he has frequently been termed selfish.

Meyer's straightforward approach to politics has confused Republican Party workers, voters, and even members of his own Democratic Party. In all parts of the state, the major campaign issues are ones that Meyer has raised. Many Republicans who violently oppose him, agree that he often makes good sense; some Democratic who strongly favor him question many of his ideas.

Because of Meyer, the Vermont political campaign has displayed clearly the line between political conformity and political foresight. The Republicans are faced with issues which neither they nor the voters of the state had confronted before Meyer's surprising election in 1958; their only choice has been to appeal to the voter's fears. Their candidate, Governor Robert Stafford, has alternately been forced to sing a paean to American military strength and to label Meyer "dangerously naive."

The Democrats have attempted to disseminate Meyer's ideas as widely as possible. Somewhat hampered by lack of funds, they have mailed complete outlines of Meyer's record and opinions to every voter in the state. Meyer himself has tried to talk at length with as many voters as possible.

The difference between the two parties' approach to politics, and the contrast in the attitudes of party workers, becomes apparent inside the Republican and Democratic headquarters. Republican headquarters in Rutland is a long, rectangular store-front. Although there is ample room for about 15 workers, it is rare that more than five are present. On the door hangs a sign, prominently displayed, reading "Pat for First Lady." Inside, workers who discuss the campaign seem constantly on the defensive. No one has much to say about Gov. Stafford's foreign policies--in fact, one lady admitted that "his discussion of Communist China appeals only to the emotionally committed and the intellectually uninformed"--but Republican workers are quite willing to discuss the opponent's personality.

"I sat with Meyer for two hours the other night," said one lady, "and tried to be objective--I know I'm blased. But he didn't crack a smile, not one smile. I can't vote for a man who's that serious." Another lady, the former head of Rutland's League of Women Voters, chimed in: "He's a complainer and a pouter. What's more, he doesn't represent Vermont's attitude when he votes in the House. He sticks to his own idealistic position, saying exactly what that position forces him to believe. I think he has a selfish attitude."

Meyer's campaign has forced these Republican workers to formulate new arguments, although their logic is often questionable.

For example, the woman who criticized Stafford's policy on Communist China (no admittance to the U.N. until the Chinese display their love of peace), later justified her political affiliation by observing that "Meyer may be a great man, but certainly he's ahead of his time. I sincerely believe that a man is chosen for his time--call it mystical if you will--and therefore I believe that Stafford should and will win." She turned to a discussion of the "emotionally committed and intellectually uninformed": "I would hate to see a country run only by college graduates; think of what would happen. There is some sort of magic about our system of government which always allows the people to vote for the right man."

Meyer's headquarters in Rutland is about half the size of Stafford's, and nearly five times as crowded. Local candidates, city officials, party workers, college students--all sit around and talk for a few hours. When discussion isn't strictly political--"who will win this city?" "Get a group of workers to Addison County,"--it generally focuses on Meyer's political ideas. No one totally agrees with all of the Congressman's policies, but most people working at Rutland headquarters have attempted to think out their own views; and all agree that Meyer makes a good deal of sense. No one has much to say about Stafford; they have seen his type in almost every state and national election.

Governor Stafford's own campaign tactics show very clearly the extent to which Meyer's views have changed the Vermont political climate. If it weren't for the Congressman, such issues as recognition of Communist China, abolition of the draft, and nuclear test ban would never find their way to the small towns and farms of Vermont. The Republicans are acutely aware that they have no positive programs on national affairs; they pitch their campaign to the uninformed audience, hoping to exploit the desire for an unbeatable military force and for a quick relaxation of national and international tension.

Last Saturday, the Governor campaigned in several upstate Vermont towns. One of his stops was in Wolcot, a dilapidated village of several hundred residents. Many of the houses there are run-down, either from want of money or attention; the general store is musty and disheveled; the town hall doubles as a gymnasium for the high school basketball team.

A small cluster of elderly people were impatiently was for him to arrive. No one seemed particularly concerned what Stafford would say; traditional Republicans. He had decided how to vote long before this election, International affairs barely interested them. The issue was study Congressman Meyer was a radical fool, Governor Staff out safe, "Besides," said one, "the Government is run by define agencies. Congressman have no right to examine their posses, " Meyer, they felt, was altogether too concerned of the government's business.

Driving his own car, Stafford arrived about an hour. He is a thin, tall, dignified looking man in his mid-forties of brown hair curls in ridges, his profile is semi-circular squalling nose is most prominent. Slightly disturbing in watery gray eyes, which have trouble, fixing on anyone opposes him.

Before entering the town hall, where he was to spend Stafford walked over to a receiving line of school kids. He one received a single pump from the Governor's hand a smile, and a piece of campaign literature. Inside the about 30 people were lounging on benches which surrounding the basketball court. After he had finished shaking asked their hands, the Governor walked toward the middle of court and began to speak.