Laxalt Forms Panel to Weigh ’88 Bid

Former Republican Sen. Paul Laxalt of Nevada, President Reagan’s good friend and manager of his three campaigns for the White House, announced the formation of a presidential exploratory committee Tuesday, saying: “This hired hand is ready to take over as foreman.”

Appearing with his wife and several dozen supporters at the National Press Club, Laxalt placed a “slight caveat” on his candidacy: He must have $2 million in the bank on Oct. 1 to make the race.

However, it is expected that he will be able to tap deeply into the formidable “Reagan network” of political operatives and fund-raisers, and he indicated that his decision to run was close to final. Sen. Jake Garn (R-Utah) signed on as chairman of the exploratory committee, and key advisers include pollster Richard B. Wirthlin, public relations executive Robert Gray and former Reagan White House aide Lyn Nofziger.

Reagan Alter Ego

For six years the President’s alter ego on Capitol Hill, Laxalt, 64, portrayed himself as keeper of the Reagan agenda, a strategy that would cut substantially into the conservative base of Rep. Jack Kemp (R-N.Y.) and blur the Reagan-loyalist image being promoted by Vice President George Bush.

Moreover, by pledging to run hard in Iowa, New Hampshire and other states that select GOP national convention delegates early, Laxalt will complicate the prospects of the other Republican presidential hopefuls--Senate Minority Leader Bob Dole (R-Kan.), former Delaware Gov. Pierre S. (Pete) du Pont IV, former Secretary of State Alexander M. Haig Jr. and television evangelist Pat Robertson.

Laxalt’s advisers cautioned in interviews that the genial, silver-haired Nevadan must overcome a major liability: publicity from a libel suit that he has filed against the Sacramento Bee. A 1983 story alleged that Laxalt had ties to organized crime and that profits had been illegally diverted at a Carson City casino while he was the owner.

Responding to reporters’ questions Tuesday, Laxalt said that he expected trial of the suit to be completed by Labor Day and that, even if he loses it, “I don’t think it will be harmful” because “we will establish a record in court that the allegations of the Sacramento Bee piece are false.”

‘Staunchly Defend’ Nevada

Addressing a related problem, he said that he would “staunchly defend” Nevada against “its false image” as chiefly a center of gambling, legalized prostitution and organized crime.

In his announcement, Laxalt emphasized his ideological kinship and longtime friendship with Reagan, which developed in the 1960s when Laxalt was governor of Nevada and Reagan was governor of California.

“It is absolutely essential that we continue the Reagan agenda” of turning more domestic responsibilities over to state and local governments while continuing the nation’s military buildup, Laxalt declared. However, he insisted that he would not be a carbon copy of Reagan.

“I tend to be a rather independent Basque,” said Laxalt, whose father was an immigrant Basque sheepherder. “It is not my nature to be a clone to anyone.”

Reagan, who attended a dinner honoring Laxalt Monday night, told his friend he would remain neutral in the primaries, according to Laxalt.

Pluses to Candidacy

Advisers predicted that these factors would boost Laxalt’s candidacy:

--The race for the Republican nomination is wide open. Though Bush has the lead in opinion polls, it is not big, and the number of strongly committed supporters is small.

--While Laxalt is beginning the race late, he has pulled together a talented team and is skilled at running a lean campaign based heavily on volunteers. His organizing experience in a small state like Nevada “will be an advantage in Iowa and New Hampshire,” asserted Rich Williamson, a former Reagan White House aide and now a Laxalt strategist.

--Laxalt’s style as an affable yet forceful, quiet yet plain-spoken Westerner will play well on the all-important medium of television.

--He has broad experience as a trial lawyer, county prosecutor, governor and senator, acting in the latter role as a key bridge between Reagan and Congress before his retirement in January.

On the other hand, Howard Phillips, chairman of the Conservative Caucus, listed “minuses” in the Laxalt candidacy, primarily “the fact that he hasn’t provided any leadership on issues of concern to conservatives.”