BIRCHITE TO CARRY WALLACE BANNER

Workers Press no. 838, 10 August 1972 · scan page 6

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The right-wing American Independent Party has picked California representative John Schmitz as its presidential nominee after its founder, Alabama governor George Wallace, told delegates in an emotional telephone call that he would not stand this year.

Schmitz scored a first-ballot victory over Georgia governor Lester Maddox, publisher Tom Anderson, Richard Kay, lawyer who defended My Lai murderer Lt William Calley, and Florida banker Allen Greer.

Schmitz is a fitting candidate to carry forward the Wallace banner. A 41-year-old philosophy teacher, he is one of the most active members of the John Birch Society and a lieutenant-colonel the Marine reserves.

He has consistently been one of the most conservative members of Congress, criticizing President Nixon's visit to Peking and the admission of China to the United Nations.

He has introduced legislation to withdraw the United States from the UN. From 11957 to 1963 he ran an anti-communism course at California's El Toro marine corps air station.

At his first press conference after winning the nomination, Schmitz ran true to form. He said he believed Democratic candidate George McGovern had been 'set up by President Nixon' to lead America to socialism.

This he said, was Top: wallace. ADove: bremer Deing 'conspiracy of history'. He asked: 'Where did McGovern get his funds from?' and then strongly hinted that Nixon had channelled the funds to his chief opponent in the presidential race because McGovern was 'the weakest candidate' Schmitz gave another sample of his views when he told delegates that the Democratic convention had been 'a convention of perverts, abortionists, communists, bushyhaired racists, dope fiends and third generation welfare recipients' Much of Wallace's hardcore support in the past has come from the Birch Society, many of whose members believe in the 'conspiracy' later theory reminiscent of the 'Protocols of the Elders of Zion' Wallace was always careful to keep them in the background, but since he was shot and paralysed at Upper Marlboro in Maryland, they appear to have come to the fore. News of the 63-year jail sentence imposed on his assailant Arthur Bremer drew cheers at the Independence Party convention.

Schulz's running-mate, elected at the convention, is Tom Anderson of Nashville, Tennessee, publisher of 'Ranch and Farm' magazine and also a Birchite. He defeated four other candidates, including a black supporter of the paralysed governor Wallace.