The Nation: The Challenger Within

It is March 14, 1972. California Congressman Paul McCloskey, campaigning against Richard Nixon's policy of unrestricted air strikes in Indochina, has just captured 40% of the vote in New Hampshire's G.O.P. primary. Hardly has a celebration begun at McCloskey headquarters when a hush falls over the room: the President appears on nationwide television announcing a total cessation of the bombing and an early date for the withdrawal of all remaining U.S. troops in Viet Nam.

In pursuit of this unlikely vision, Paul ("Pete") McCloskey, 43, has begun tilting at the windmills. Just returned from...

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