staunch Cold Warriors and conservativenRepublicans. More specifically,nboth were influential in starting BarrynGoldwater’s political career, both werensupporters of LBJ’s Vietnam War efforts,nand both were critical of the NewnLeft and the 60’s counterculture. Yet anmajor difference in character betweennthe two men may be more significantnthan any similarities. Early on, Pulliamnrealized that his “instinct for a goodnfight, his bluntness . . . [meant]hencould never make it in public service.”nIn contrast, in his first successful congressionalncampaign, Dirksen adoptedn”a pragmatic, nonpartisan approach,nwhich involved a certain amountnof expediency.” Arguably, Dirksen’sncareer rested upon pragmatism andnexpediency.nPulliam was made of different stuff.nHe firmh believed that “the other mannhas a right to be heard” and was one ofnthe first to run full op-ed pages in hisnpapers, but he was fearlessly candid andnoutspoken in his own views. He couldnbe a “table-pounding, argumentative,n[and] cantankerous” exponent of hisnpositions. Dirksen didn’t pound tables;nhe made compromises. He describednhimself as a “moderationist” and tookn”The oil can is mightier than thensword” as his maxim. He preferred thensaving “Xothing is eternal exceptnchange” oer any set of “doctrinairenprinciples.” Pulliam, who nevernminced words in criticizing the sensationalisticnand liberal biases in hisnown profession, won “grudging admirationnfor his independence and convictions”;nEv won the different kind ofnrespect accorded those who grease thenwheels of political accommodation.nOn occasion, Dirksen was comparednto his boyhood idol, Abraham Lincoln,nbut the Schapsmeiers offer a truer comparisonnwhen they note the “uniquencloseness and comraderie” that madenLBJ and Dirksen “two brother artisansnin government.” Observed Lady Bird,n”There is something terrifically rightnabout watching them talk to eachnother.” E had found a new twin.nIn Dirksen’s defense it must be recognizednthat democracies depend on coalitionsnand mediation. But with “politicalnpros” like Dirksen and Johnson, wenbegin to wonder exactly what principlesn—other than the careerist’s pursuit ofnsuccess—guide the coalition-buildingnand mediation. Dirksen’s biographersnargue that the senator’s support fornJohnson’s Civil Rights legislation wasn”an act of political courage,” but apparenri’nhis chief argument for persuadingnGoldwater to join him was simply thatn”oting against it would be a politicalnIntroducingn’The Source’non the interaction of religion and society…nRelieion&Societvn ^ REPORT ynThe Religion & Society Report is anbrand new newsletter from The RockfordnInstitute’s New York Center on Religionn& Society.nIts purpose Is bold and frankly controversial:nto reaffirm religion’s role In shapingnthe culture of our time — and, through thenculture, the ways we live together In publicnand private.nIntroductory offer — you save S6 to $16nEach monthly Issue will deal vigorously andnoutspokenly with Ideas covering the fullnspectrum of religious conviction and debaten— from left to right, from fundamentalist tonliberal — and we Invite you to subscribennow at special introductory rates.nOur Introductory offer: subscribe at $18nfor one year — and save $6 off the regularnS24 subscription price. Subscribe for twonyears — 24 Issues for $32, and you’llnsave $16.nYou’ll get on-the-scene,ninside’InformationnThe Report Is edited by Richard JohnnNeuhaus, pastor, theologian, author, editor,nand one of the most respected figures on thenreligious scene today. Pastor Neuhausnbrings to this newsletter years of leadershipnIn the renewal of religion and society.nLeading off each Issue will be a timelynanalysis, followed by a variety of reports onnmajor Issues, events, trends, and personalitiesnIn the sphere of rellgibus, ethical,npolitical, and cultural Interaction.nYou will read on-the-scene (and sometimesnbehind-the-scenes) accounts of conferences,nconvocations, and occasionalnconfrontations on the Interface of religionnand society — giving you the inside Information’non controversial subjects andndevelopments.nmistake.” Though they try to portrayntheir subject as a statesman, the Schapsmeiersnhave to concede that the pragmaticnDirksen, with his “uncanny” talentnfor “grabbing the spotlight,” couldnnot claim the statesman’s title as crediblynas John C. Calhoun, a Senatenopposition leader who preferred fidelitynnnAbortion • The Arms Race • CapitalnPunishment • Genetic Engineering •nShifting Alliances Between Christians andnJews • Government Threats to ReligiousnFreedom • Euthanasia • Socialist Optionsn• Liberation Theology • Feminism and thenFamily • South Africa and Disinvestment •nThe Meanings of Virtue • Nuclear Powernand Nuclear War —nthese are just a few of the topics you cannexpect to find In The Religion & SocietynReport.n’Special Reports’ bonus for subscribersnAs an added bonus, you. as a subscriber willnreceive ‘Special Reports’ which will placeninto perspective the range of Ideas andnarguments on a specific issue — to assistnyou In making your own informednjudgment.nNow being considered for early Issues ofnthe Report: Can the pro-life movementnmake inroads into the political left? Can then”religious new right” maintain its impact innpresidential politics?nSubscribe to ‘the source’nWith your help. The Rockford Institute’snNew York Center on Religion & Society —nand The Religion & Society Report — cannplay a pivotal part in a great renewal — anrenewal that advances both the Integrity ofnreligion and the promise of Americanndemocracy. You are Invited to subscribe tonThe Religion & Society Report — thenInclusive, timely and vigorously Independentnsource’ on the Interaction of religion andnsociety.nSend for your subscription today by mailingnus the reader reply card accompanying thisnadvertisement. Or write: The Religion &nSociety Report. P.O. Box 800, Rockford,nIllinois 61105.nto a lost cause over favorable publicnexposure. While Russell Pulliam concludesnhis biography lamenting that nonone is now practicing his grandfather’snindependent style of journalism, Dirksen’snpattern of leadership remains annattractive model for aspiring politicians.n(BJC) ccnAUGUST 1985/31n