Candidate Stevenson Gets Rude Shock--He Meets Running Mate

The LaRouche candidate for lieutenant governor on the Democratic ticket surprised his reluctant running mate, Adlai E. Stevenson III, with a handshake and later urged him not to be driven out of the Democratic Party by Chicago’s “cocaine-sniffing liberals.”

Stevenson, the Democratic gubernatorial candidate, was warmly welcomed Monday night at a meeting of the DuPage County Democratic Central Committee, but the crowd walked out when Mark Fairchild, the uninvited lieutenant governor nominee, tried to speak.

Stevenson was campaigning for the first time since announcing that he would run as an independent to avoid appearing on the same ticket with two followers of right-wing extremist Lyndon LaRouche who won Democratic spots in the March 18 primary. He arrived at Wheaton Central High School an hour late only to find that one of the LaRouche nominees had beaten him there.

Fairchild distributed an open letter chiding Stevenson to “see the writing on the wall.”

“You’re being used, Adlai. Don’t let those (Chicago) Gold Coast cocaine-sniffing liberals who read High Times magazine drive you out of the Democratic Party.

“Face it senator, I won the nomination fair and square,” the letter continued. “Why don’t you put your ego aside and join me and the rest of the LaRouche Democrats in uniting the Democratic Party behind real solutions to real problems. With LaRouche you can be a winner.”

Candidate Frantically Waved Arms

Before Stevenson arrived, Michael Donohue, the newly elected chairman of the DuPage County Democratic Central Committee, announced the party’s nominees but ignored Fairchild, who was frantically waving his arms.

“Mr. Chairman, you forgot me,” Fairchild said.

“On purpose,” Donohue replied.

Stevenson finally took the podium to address the party members, but as he began speaking, Fairchild and two companions began singing, “Happy Together,” a song by the Turtles from the 1960s.

Stevenson then drew thunderous applause when he strongly reiterated that he would not run with “two extremists who are not Democrats.”

Fairchild and the others quieted their protests when promised that Fairchild would be allowed to speak to the group if he allowed Stevenson to continue.

Stevenson concluded a standard campaign speech and Fairchild approached the podium, but the entire audience of about 250 stood up and began leaving.

Fairchild went into a tirade, shouting: “Adlai’s been making some pretty strong statements about me. He’s been slandering a great man, Lyndon LaRouche. It’s time for a rebuttal.”

With that, someone from the exiting audience replied, “So sue ‘em.”