WASHINGTON, Aug. 8, 1964 (UPI) - Republican presidential nominee Barry M. Goldwater, disclaiming any desire to play politics with the issue, has again spotlighted the possible political repercussions of the fighting in Viet-Nam. The Arizona senator discussed the Viet-Nam situation at a closed dinner last night for GOP Congressional candidates. He specifically said that Republicans do not intend to play politics with the Viet-Nam crisis.
Goldwater, however, stressed that in his view, President Johnson must not back down on the action he has taken against Communist forces after PT-boat attacks on U.S. destroyers in the waters off Viet-Nam.
"If he doesn't continue to do what he's started to do, I can assure him that not only Viet-Nam but all of his foreign policy is going to be the major issue of this campaign," Goldwater said.