Times Daily, Feb 14, 1968
New Hampshire a Hard Line State
By RELMAN MORIN
CONCORD, N.H. (AP)--The battle in the New Hampshire primary campaign between Richard M. Nixon and Gov. George Romney of Michigan now appears to be narrowing to a single issue--the war in Vietnam.
"In the main, New Hampshire is a hard line state," said Stewart Lamprey, president of the State Senate and Nixon's fiscal agent. Nixon has been taking a hard line in respect to the war.
A top Romney lieutenant, who asked not to be identified, said, "If we can draw him (Nixon) in on a meaningful basis, I am prepared to make Vietnam the issue." And he added, "What really are his solutions to Vietnam?"
He indicated that Romney's aides would argue that "Nixon's view of the war doesn't differ much from President Johnson's."
As further evidence of the importance attaching to the war issue in the campaign, the Romney chief said that starting immediately only one highway billboard slogan will be posted for Romney, instead of the four now seen throughout the state. He said it will read, "Romney's right. We must be told the truth about Vietnam."
Until now, the Romney billboards have touched on four separate issues.
One New Hampshire observer said, "Seventy-five percent of the interest in the election relates to the war."
Nixon indirectly ridiculed Romney on the question of neutralizing South and North Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos, a step the governor has proposed.
Nixon began his criticism by saying, "Now any beginning student of foreign affairs knows..."
