Reagan, Bush Due to Meet at Air Base, Not at Convention

Dashing Vice President George Bush’s hopes of a joint appearance with President Reagan at the Republican National Convention next week, the White House today said the two probably will meet only briefly at a Navy base while both are in the New Orleans area.

Presidential spokesman Marlin Fitzwater said tentative plans call for the President and the prospective GOP presidential candidate to meet Tuesday at Belle Chasse Naval Air Station.

The vice president will be arriving in New Orleans that day, and Reagan will be leaving for a vacation at his ranch north of Santa Barbara and in Los Angeles.

On Monday, Bush told reporters that there might still be a chance that he and Reagan would appear together at the convention and that he would view such a joint appearance as a plus for his campaign.