SIMI VALLEY : Quayle to Headline Humor Conference

Conservatives on Tuesday will get to show not so much that they can take jokes, but that they can dish them out.

At a conference titled “Do Conservatives Have a Sense of Humor?” three prominent conservatives will take a look at the role of humor in politics today. The conference will be held at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library near Simi Valley.

Former Vice President Dan Quayle, who was the butt of late-night talk-show jokes during his years in Washington, will be on hand to discuss his new book, “Standing Firm.”

In a chapter titled “Baked, Mashed and Fried”--which alludes to the ridicule Quayle suffered after misspelling the word potato in front of a elementary school class--Quayle discusses what many have characterized as the gaffes of his vice presidency.

Included in the chapter is a recounting of his criticism of television character Murphy Brown for her decision to have a baby without a husband.

Quayle, who has said he may run for President in 1996, will also discuss his views on the Bush Administration.

P. J. O’Rourke, author of “Give War a Chance” and “Parliament of Whores,” and former Reagan assistant Lyn Nofziger will speak at the conference. A Washington group called “The Capitol Steps” will round out the day with comedic songs about topical issues.

The conference begins at 10 a.m. After the conference, Quayle is scheduled to sign copies of his book at the Reagan library gift shop.

Tickets are available for $45 per person, which will include lunch. For reservations, call 522-2977.