The Hemisphere: McCarthy in Canada

How do Canadians feel about U.S.

Senator Joseph McCarthy? Judged solely from the opinions of the press and political speakers, the country would seem to be solidly united in a deep distaste for the Senator and “McCarthyism.” But a Gallup poll survey last week failed to bear this out. The Canadians polled who knew of McCarthy and were willing to express their views were almost evenly divided on the issue.

For a foreign politician, McCarthy is well known in Canada; 43% of those polled could identify him. Of this group, 35% disapproved of McCarthy while 33% approved; the others held no strong opinion either way. Opposition to McCarthy was strong in western Canada, but the poll in French-speaking, Roman Catholic Quebec showed a majority of nearly 4 to i of McCarthy admirers.