Politics may be the name of the game with some congressional issues, but you’d think a subject as crucial as nuclear arms limitation should be handled on a basis of merit and objectivity with political implications held to a minimum, Perhaps both sides have gotten a bit “political” on the issue between President Reagan’s strategic arms reduction policy and the doctrine of an immediate nuclear freeze. Some remarks of Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass. to reporters after the recent 204-202 House defeat of a “freeze now” resolution notably had little to do with the merits of the issue. A key freeze supporter, Kennedy called the vote merely “the opening shot” of a continuing battle and was quoted by UPI as say1ng: “After election day there’ll be 202 members that will return to the House who will be glad they supported the freeze and 204 House members who will wish they had supported it.” Rep. Edward Markey. DMass. who joined Sens, Kennedy and Mark Hatfield. R-Ore. in the interview also dropped a political hint or two as he announced he was reintroducing the freeze resolution. “I’m gathering support for it and will give grass roots lobbyists a chance to put pressure on their congressmen. Anyone who supported the Regan policy last night put himself inserious political peril with those nuclear freeze groups in their districts,” he said. Politics aside. the nuclear freeze forces scored very well even though the two-vote defeat was a considerable setback for them and a victory for administration policy. Afterward, the House proceeded to approve 273125 a substitute resolution that supports U.S.-Soviet negotiations now under way in Geneva to reduce strategic arms. The successful resolution, sponsored by Rep. William S. Broomfield, RMich., calls for accelerated efforts to achieve “an equitable and verifiable agreement which freezes strategic forces at equal and substantially – reduced levels,” Reagan says a freeze now would “lock in” a Soviet advantage. The defeated proposal, whos chief sponsor was Rep. Clement J. Zablocki, D-Wis. urged an immediate halt to the production, testing and deployment of nuclear weapons, The Broomfield measure offers the safer, more realistic course and merits i unified support. The “freeze now” grass roots movement is still something that must be reckoned with of course. A gauge of its actual strength may come this fall when voters will have a chance to express opinions at referenda planned in seven states and a number of cities. To some degree, the freeze effort may reflect public frustration and impatience with the slowness of negotiations between the nuclear powers. But the Geneva talks should be given a chance and broadened as warranted to achieve agreements that will bolster peace and security.