October 4, 1968

Mr. John B. Rutherford
Rutherford & Chekene

259 Geary Street, Room 406
San Francisco, California

Dear Mr. Rutherford:

Thank you for your letter of September 26 inviting me to join a preliminary
organizing group for "Scientists and Engineers for Cranston".

3

a
I was pleased to see and do endorse the statement that accompanied your 7
letter. I will join the list of sponsors, as you request, but I wish to =
state the following condition as explicitly and as forcefully as I know aN
how. a

=
There is, as you know, a very large group of voters who are deeply aggrieved >

that the political process has not generated a range of choices that gives
us a chance to voice our preferences with the precision to which we are
accustomed in our work as scientists and engineers. This is perhaps in-
evitable in politics, but I believe that some recognition of this principle
is essential for the honest recruitment of support for our candidate, and
it may also be more effective than some of your, experts might recommend.

I have in mind that a great many voters will stay at home if the campaign
is constructed on such premises that a vote for Cranston is construed as

an enthusiastic endorsement of the ablest thinker and most profound states-
man that California cauld produce. But if we concentrate on that kind of
finesse and stay home, we will accomplish nothing but the election of
Rafferty. I therefore suggest that this group of Cranston supporters,
above all others, be reliwved of the necessity to make positive endorsements
that go beyond their convictions, and that instead we concentrate on the
themey that the practical choice before us is Rafferty or Cranston. Neither
of them is perfect. Which one do you want?

If the further literature from this group conforms to this standard I will
be very happy to work for it. I realize that this may not be the most

flattering to Mr. Cranston's ego, but it may end up being the best way
to get him elected.

Sincerely yours,

Joshua Lederberg
Professor of Genetics