BATTLE LINES: Shades of the ‘70s: On...

BATTLE LINES: Shades of the ‘70s: On the left . . . George McGovern; on the right . . . William F. Buckley. The two will debate “Conservatism vs. Liberalism in the United States” on Thursday at UC Irvine. McGovern, trounced in his 1972 presidential bid but thinking of trying again, will meet local Democrats at a “little reception” before the debate, says former Irvine Mayor Larry Agran. Agran, chair of McGovern’s presidential “exploratory” committee, says May 23 is the date the former South Dakota senator will announce his plans.