Okemos High School - Tomahawk Yearbook (Okemos, MI)

Page 9 text:

 . Political Campaigns 1. The intense competition of party conventions is evident in campaign sings at the Republican convention. 2. Lyndon B. Johnson and Hubert Humphrey, Democratic nominees, survive competition victoriously. 3. Republican nominees Barry Golduater and William Miller carry the Republican convention. 4. Michigan Govenor George Romney is welcomed at the Cow Palace. Romney was successful in his gubernatorial campaign, although not nominated for the presidency. 4. A national election is usually the most symbolic example of competition but the 1964 election did not run true to form, as most Americans felt the presidency automatically destined to the Democrats, represented by Lyndon Johnson. The Republican presidential primary evoked more suspense than the final run, as Pennsylvania Governor William Scranton, New York Governor Nelson Rockefeller and Arizona Senator Barry Gold-water fought for the presidential nomination. Goldwater’s stand was characterized by a statement made at the campaign’s beginning when he said, “You know we conservatives are great believers in the fact that human nature doesn’t change. The only thing you can do about history is try to make it better the twelfth or twentieth time around.’’ His means toward this end were to stop the trend toward socialism and an eventual “welfare state” which he saw threatened in Democratic control. Unfortunately his vote against the civil rights bill, stand towards more national defense and tactless criticisms of TVA in Tennessee and social security in Florida, combined to bring Lyndon Johnson a staggering victory. Johnson had refused to debate with Goldwater on the grounds that, being the incumbent, he could not divulge classified information to win a debate, so an actual comparison of the two men’s views was never presented to the public. Johnson, however, had the advantage of following the late President Kennedy. Although not a master in foreign affairs, Johnson proved his skill at handling Congress through the tax cut, civil rights bill and federal pay raise. His goal for America was the “Great Society.” He commented, “For half a century we called upon untiring industry to create an order of plenty for all our people. The challenge of the next half-century is whether we have the wisdom to use that wealth to enrich and elevate our national life and to advance the quality of American civilization.” Whether the majority of Americans voted for Johnson out of favor or from anti-Goldwaterism, the fact remains that Johnson won with 486 to 52 votes, a clear sign of public opinion. He took the East’s entire 142 electoral votes, became the first Democrat ever to carry Vermont, the first since 1912 to win Maine. Excepting Franklin Roosevelt’s 1936 victory, Johnson scored the highest electoral and popular vote margin in history. Barry Goldwater won only in the South and in his home state, Arizona. Johnson’s overwhelming victory swept many Democratic candidates for Congress, state legislatures and governorships as well. One of the few Republicans to emerge unscathed was Michigan’s Governor George Romney, who carried the state by more than 700,000 Michiganders. 5

Page 8 text:

Democratic, Republican Parties Engage in Fierce 4

Page 10 text:

y. Beginning of School Presents New Competition Table of Contents The School Year ................................. 8 Staff .......................................... 84 Administration ................................. 86 Faculty......................................... 88 Student Body ................................... 90 Faculty Index ................................. 114 Senior Index .................................. 116 Club Roster ................................... 121 General Index ................................. 124 I. Students compete for space through crowded halls the first days of school. 2. A long line is faced by students being assigned lockers for the 1964-65 year. 3. Okemos High School campus provides students with fresh air between classes. 6