KC Johnson

President Johnson: Is there any basis much for this Quayle poll up there where you’ve got 87 percent?

Edmund Muskie: Well, I didn’t do quite that well except as approval—that was my performance rating.

President Johnson: Yeah.

Muskie: But, yes…I haven’t been able to find anybody who’s unhappy with me at this point except my opponent. It’s unbelievable, Mr. President; and your standing right now is stronger than mine.

President Johnson: Well, now, have they talked to you about my coming in there [for a campaign appearance in Portland]?

Muskie: Yes, and we’re setting that up for Monday. [Break.]

              Incidentally, Mr. President, you might like the latest newspaper poll up here, which was announced this Sunday. In the poll three weeks ago that the Sunday Telegram conducted that showed you ahead of Goldwater 52-12 among the decideds. And you have now improved your standing to 61-12, in three weeks.

              President Johnson: Hmm. It’s unbelievable, isn’t it?

              Muskie: It sure is.

              President Johnson: Is it that way in other places in New England, according to what you hear?

              Muskie: I gather that it is in New Hampshire and Vermont. [VT governor] Phil Hoff is very optimistic over there.

              These people are just—they just picture [Barry] Goldwater as irresponsible. They have no confidence—although they’re for you, there’s also a strong element of anti-Goldwater.

              The Camden Herald, which is a small-town paper in Maine, last week announced for you. They’ve been in business for 95 years and this is the first time they’ve endorsed a Democratic candidate for President.

              One of the key arguments in their editorial was that Goldwater’s accusation that Kennedy had used the [Cuban] Missile Crisis for political purposes. They described this as a vicious lie and reason in itself for rejecting him.

              President Johnson: OK, I’ll get right on this and we’ll be back in touch with you today.

              Muskie: Thank you, Mr. President.

              President Johnson: Bye.