Reagan’s choice of No 2 a mystery

Press, 15 July 1980, Page 8

Reagan’s choice of No 2 a mystery

INZPA-Reuter Detroit ! The Republican Party coni vention opened early today [with the conservative Ronlaid Reagan already a certain (choice for President and ’only one question outstanding — who will be his (Vice-Presidential running |mate. I The convention opened at ;3 a.m. (N.Z. time) with patriotic fanfare in Detroit, the •motor capital, hit by widespread unemployment and ■deliberately chosen by the 'Republicans to extend their ; support to the working class (and boost Mr Reagan’s (chances of winning the November Presidential election. I Mr Reagan, due in Detroit .from his California ranch a few hours after the forma! [convention opening, said in •a week-end interview he had istill not decided who would i be his running mate, to be Announced either late tomorrow or early .Thursday. | His campaign chairman. ! Senator Paul Laxalt. said he .believed the list; had beer [narrowed to eight, although new names could be added. I Senator Laxalt said Mr ■ Reagan's main job would he (to ensure party unity and

it | prevent a swing to the exitreme Right which cost’ the i-[party and Senator Barry yi Goldwater the election in !- 1964. n Asked which of the party d'platform would have prior- - ity, Mr Reagan said: “1 bes lieve a priority there would g be our national security and that if you had. just as you t,do in wartime, a deficit due :-'solely to our defence abie lities. 1 think that would be ■-[acceptable to the people. d 1 “It certainly would be to e me.” r. The women’s rights issue slhas caused deep divisions in s'the Republican Party. i-1 A former President, Gerald IFord, due to make one of if! the four-day convention's a:key speeches, said he was ill “very much opposed” to the n equal rights position exd.pressed by the party platd. ei The convention opened in •-(the huge Joe Louis Arena on (the Detroit riverfront. The i, i singer, Pat Boone, a leading e i Conservative amone *»nternjtainers. recited the Pledge of h Allegiance to the flag. The [country and western star rlGlen Campbell was to- lead e. singing of the National d : Anthem. 1

-, Mr Reagan will be formalel ly declared the party’s Presi-1 rdential nominee tomorrow; i night, and convention offi-. j cials expect scenes of wild: .'enthusiasm. I Recent polls have shown ' him holding a commanding! L lead over his Democratic; ! rival, President Carter, and a; 1 prospect of victory in the. 2 November 4 General Elec-! "lion has made Mr Reagan’s; 2 task of uniting the party! behind him much easier. ■ Besides Senator Laxalt,! k .the leading contenders fori Vice-President are reported ; ito be George Bush, one of; j| Mr Reagan’s rivals for the' .-'Presidential nomination in: wthe primaries, and Senator Richard Lugar of Indiana. ; »| Others in the list are Sen-1 -lator Howard Baker, another! -Reagan opponent in the; primaries. Congressman Jack i;Kemp of New York. Michigan Congressman Guy Van»;der Jagt, a former Treasury ; Secretary, William Simon, . and a former Defence Secref tary Donald Rumsfeld. 5 Mr Reagan’s aides have 6 also said that Mrs Anne if Armstrong, a former AmI bassador to Britain, has also j Ibeen seriously considered. 1