Laxalt Edges Closer to Bid for Presidency

Former Sen. Paul Laxalt, a close friend of President Reagan, embarked on the exploratory phase of a campaign for the presidency today, declaring: “This hired hand is ready to take over as foreman.”

Announcing the formation of an exploratory committee headed by Sen. Jake Garn (R-Utah), Laxalt said his decision to run for the Republican presidential nomination is “as close to final as one can get.”

Campaign financing is the only remaining question mark, Laxalt said, declaring that he will need to have $2 million in the bank by Oct. 1.

Asked whether he will run as a “clone” of President Reagan, Laxalt, who is the son of a Basque sheepherder, replied, “I tend to be a rather individual Basque, and it is not within my nature to be a clone of anybody.”

But he said that he would probably agree with the President most of the time and that “it is absolutely essential that we continue the Reagan agenda.”

He’s the Only Westerner

Laxalt, 64, a former Nevada governor and senator, is the only Westerner among the declared or potential candidates.

Laxalt said the President and First Lady Nancy Reagan had not encouraged him to run and are remaining neutral in the contest for the nomination.

Three candidates--former Delaware Gov. Pete du Pont, former Secretary of State Alexander M. Haig Jr. and Rep. Jack Kemp of New York--have already announced for the nomination. Vice President George Bush, Senate Minority Leader Bob Dole of Kansas and evangelist Pat Robertson are expected to join them in the race.