Extracted text

OCR Page 1 of 39
SPECIAL REPORT: THE PRESIDENT'S BUSING ADDRESS AND RELATED MATTERS March 16, 1972 THE SMAN Post-speech commentary NBC's Newman said RN asked Congress to forbid further busing, asked Justice to intervene in busing suits, and for more money for poorer schools. The speech came just 48 hours after the Fla. primary and after Wallace won the primary talking against busing and after a referendum against busing won overwhelmingly. The speech came also after the national black political convention passed a resolution against busing, and after there had been action in Congress against busing. The political ramifications of the speech will be tested in the Wisconsin primary April 4, said Newman. And legal questions will be raised. Will these actions square with the 14th amendment and with the 1954 Supreme Court decision? Newman quoted Askew who said that the Fla referendum may have been planted to further the Admin's southern strategy. ABC's Jarriel preceded the message by noting that RN had spent most of this week on it. He added that it is an issue of enormous moral and legal complications and also a prime political issue. Following the message in a brief wrap-up (5 minutes) Jarriel noted the WH refused to give any additional background information Thurs. nite but Friday there will be briefings. He said it is almost certain to be challenged on the basis of constitu- tionality but the major battle will be on the Hill. ABC's Bob Clark said RN will get something pretty close to what he asked and he added that his proposals are not very far beyond the antibusing bills already before Congress. Clark believes what is significant is that RN has ended any chance of constitutional amendment this year. In response to Jarriel's question Clark sees RN getting more money than the $2. 5B. He thinks the Equal Education Opportunity Act is just another euphemism for antibus ing. Politically Clark still sees RN to the left of Jackson, Wallace and Ashbrook. Jarriel closed by saying there will be more comment but this is not the time.