L.A. Reportedly Favored as 1988 GOP Convention Choice

Although the Republican Party will not select its candidate to succeed President Reagan for almost three years, Los Angeles already has emerged as a winter book favorite for the GOP’s 1988 nominating convention, a White House official said Thursday.

The official, speaking on the condition that he not be identified, said the city is being touted by some top Republican officials as the best spot for Californian Reagan to make a farewell appearance as party leader, thereby boosting the GOP candidate’s chances both nationally and in an especially critical state.

Because the GOP has yet to begin the lengthy process of formally reviewing convention sites, however, “the deal isn’t done,” the official said.

The Republican National Committee “plans to conduct a thorough search for a convention site, but there’s a very strong element that leans to Los Angeles, because this will be the President’s last convention as President and they feel it ought to be close to home.

“I don’t think the President has expressed any convictions on it yet,” he added.

The weekly magazine National Journal, citing a Republican insider, reports in its edition today that Los Angeles is the “early favorite” for the 1988 GOP convention. The source said a Los Angeles convention would allow Reagan to commute to the activities by helicopter from his ranch north of Santa Barbara.

An official at the Republican National Committee said the party will not choose a site selection committee for the national convention until January.