Word: uncertain
(lookup in dictionary)
(lookup stats)
Dates: during 1960-1969
Sort By: most recent first
(reverse)
...lives. Though neither has the particular panache or grace that commends one to a style-conscious age, each is nonetheless a man of some substance who, at least on paper, seems well qualified for the nation's highest office. Yet both have lurched off on their campaigns with so uncertain and uninspiring a beginning that the electorate may justly wonder whether either can bring any illumination or imagination to the serious problems that face the nation...
...Humphrey's case, the desperation of the underdog accounted for part of the poor performance. Uncertain of his flanks, overeager to please often-hostile audiences and skeptical fellow Democrats, the Vice President stumbled through a ghastly week, reviving an old concern that he may lack sufficient internal discipline for the White House. Nixon's campaign, on the other hand, was dominated by the overcautious approach of a man determined to preserve a long lead by avoiding errors. While Humphrey reeled garrulously from one position to another, Nixon glided over issues with skillfully pleonastic evasions, often taking no stand...
...Uncertain Journey. Trudeau is a fresh phenomenon in Canada's capital, where furled-umbrella stuffiness has long been the norm. He works in an open-necked shirt, often sniffing or fondling a flower on his desk. His Cabinet meetings are as intellectually demanding as his University of Montreal law classes used to be, and during last summer's 90° heat they sometimes ran for more than six hours. One result is that in two months he has set in motion the most sweeping overhaul of Canada's government machinery since...
Usually keenly aware of political currents, Nixon still appeared uncertain about the effect the Chicago disturbances have had on public opinion. His staffers sounded out Republican figures around the country, and were advised not to criticize the police. At the same time, Nixon did not want to be in the position of endorsing repressive police measures. In the end, he took the same tack that he had taken on both Viet Nam and the appointment of Abe Fortas as Chief Justice. The whole matter, he pronounced, was simply too important for partisan politics. Judgment should await the results...
Pride and Persuasion. Yet sometimes this understatement became a form of intellectual pride. Persuasion was somehow beneath him. Talking to delegates uncertain about his position on Viet Nam, he would say: "I've written three books on my positions" or "I put out a position paper on that last week." Though he needed Negro support, he refused to make any special pleas, noting airily that "when the Negroes know my record, they'll come along." They never did. He yearned for the support of César Chávez, a Bobby Kennedy supporter and leader of California...