European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - February 27, 1987, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Possible 88 contenders they re off and running. Or Are they by Donald m. Roth Berg associated press a jumper crop of republicans and democrats is pursuing he Ull Imale political dream of filling i i Oval office chair president Reagan will vacate two years from now nine republicans and eight democrats Are Likely contenders and already they Are tramping thu holds of Iowa or i Hoki slopes of now Hampshire with hands outs reached smiles fixed and Hopes burning hoi for the i93b presidential race. Tario Cuomo he two term governor of new York who was Antoin cd the 1988 democratic Iron i runner by Many who Hoard his stirring keynote address Al the 1984 National convention has dropped Oul of she running Romiti gov. Pierre s. Dupont ivol Delaware already has announced his candidacy or the Republican nomination and rep. Richard Gephardt of Missouri has declared his entry into the democratic race. E Ach Par by has its Iron runner but their rivals Are ready with theories on How the leaders will taller before the nominating conventions in the summer of 1988. For the republicans vice president George Bush portrays himself As the i Ghoul heir 1o the Reagan legacy act the polls show him ahead of his rivals though his numbers dipped a bit alter the disclosures of u 5 sates of arms to Iran and the possible diversion of funds to the nicaraguan contras. Gary Hart former u s. Senator irom Colorado is the democratic front runner according to the polls. Hart plans to announce his candidacy Panl 13.  m alphabetical order is a rundown of the Likely contenders Thi h be a Riffat platform. He you shaping tip democrats Bruce Babbitt. The 18-Ycar-Otd Lormer governor of Enron i Bill a reputation As a pragmatic and enormously popular do mocha in a Republican Sale Ron Ian carried the state with 61 percent of the vote in 1980 Babbitt captured 62 percent in winning re election As governor in 1982 Bat Abill is pursuing an Towa strategy counting on a Good showing in the state s Piec Mcl caucuses to propel him to the forefront. If you so a Lall. Lanky bicyclist with a Large entourage on an Iowa Highway look closely in org he a a built. Joseph r. Biden or. At 44, the Delaware senator is chairman of i to Senate judiciary committee and a senior Rombei of the foreign relations panel. Both pavilions assure him of coveted exposure on the evening news and in the newspapers. One of the party s Best speakers Afden has been publicly Pond eng whether he can run Tor president while also serving As judiciary committee chairman. He might be one Lottie later entrants and there remains an outside Chance he could decide against attempting the race. Michael 5, Dukakis. The people who Vole in the Civ Hampshire primary get most o their television news irom Massachusetts and that could be a plus for this popular Bay Sale governor. Al 52. Dukakis is governor of a state with one of the nation s lowest unemployment rates and has received National publicity Lor innovative programs aimed Al moving people irom welfare into the work Lorce Richard a Gephardt now in his sixth term in the House. Gephardt is ready to move up Way up. As chairman of the House demo italic caucus the Boyish looking Gephardt 46, has built a reputation As solid on issues such As tax Reform and Trade but he must overcome his tendency to be a Dull speaker. Like Babbili. He has Laige Ledlova As the stale Best suited to move him of of the dark horse Calegory. Gary Hart a former strategist for the democrats 1972 candidate. George s Mcgovern Hart came out of Imp pack in 1934 to win he new Hampshire primary and rum Waller f. Mondale s plan to sail loan easy Victory m the . Bui Harl could t match the Depin of Mondale s organisation and the Colorado Tenalur s candidacy altered in Laler primaries. To Letl Hie Senate in january after two terms and now at so enters the democratic race As the from runner in the polls Jesse l. Jackson. Jackson surprised even More people than Harl m 1984, attracting an unprecedented Black turnout in Many slates Jackson outlasted belter financed candidates to finish third behind Mon Dato and Harl Jackson 45, came to prominence in Iho civil rights movement and now As head of the Rainbow coalition he campaigns As a Champion of the poor of All races. No one is certain How Well Jackson would run a second time around but most politicians assume he would continue to draw Strong support from Black voters. Sam Nunn the 48-year-old Georgia senator is his party s unrivalled authority on defense issues. With the democrats Back in control of the Senate Nunn is chairman of the armed services committee and is being urged to enter the race As a conservative Southern candidate who could draw Strong support on March 8 when most Southern states have joined to create a regional primary. It is considered More Likely that he will decide against running. Charles Robb. He first came info the Public Eye when he married Lynda Bird Johnson daughter of president Lyndon b. Johnson. Bui Robb did t remain Long in the Shadow of his father in Law. Elected governor of Virginia in 1981, he halted a Republican trend in the state. Robb 47, often is mentioned As an attractive Southern candidate but he insists he is not running. Republicans Page 16 the stars and stripes Howard h. Bakerjr. After three terms in the Senate including Lour years As majority Leader baiter left Congress presumably to concentrate on running for president. But he has been the least Active of any of the potential candidates. Among his supporters is sen. Warren Rudman of new Hampshire. If Rudman could help Baker to a Strong showing in new Hampshire the 61 year Oid Tennessee native could Surprise the Field in the South. Reorg Bush As Reagan s vice president for two terms. Bush though the the front runner is the most vulnerable to damage from any political fallout from ins Iran Contra affair. Much depends on what comes out about his role and knowledge about the Deal. Bush 82, has the support of the Republican establishment and Lias wooed conservatives who mistrusted him after his Battle with Reagan for the 1960 presidential nomination. But Bush look the role of a totally Loyal vice president and won Over Many Reagan loyalists. Like any Iron runner Bush could see his support evaporate if he stumbles Early. Friday february 27,19b7 Robert Dole. He succeeded Baker As Senate Republican Leader and proved an Able parliamentarian Dole 63, never has hidden his desire of be president one of his problems has been living Down the mud slinging reputation lingering irom his role As vice presidential candidate to 1976 on the ticket headed by president Gerald Ford Kis roots in Kansas and his knowledge of agriculture give Dole strength in Iowa where Farmers Are looking Lor someone who understands their problems. Pierre s. Dupont in. He bears one of the nation s most prominent names and comes from one of its smallest plates. Both could be handicaps. But Dupont 52, whose Campaign literature lists him As Pete rather than Pierre jumped into the race last september and has campaigned hard Ever since. Of Pont is campaigning As a Supply Side conservative. Alexander m. Haig or. Reagan s first Secretary of state Haig was a casualty of bureaucratic warfare. His Days in the administration seemed numbered after he appeared in Fie White House briefing room hours Aller tha president was shot and declared i m in  he would rank among the longest of ton shots Jack Kemp. April 6 is the Day tha new York congressman plans to declare his candidacy. He played quarterback Tor the Buffalo Bills and was elected to the professional football Hall of Fame. His game now is economics the Supply Side variety tax cuts and the Good Standard. Tha 51-year-old congressman also is a foreign policy hardliner who supports aiding the contras in Central America and deploying Star wars. Paul Latch. He retired from the Senate in january after to terms and began thinking about succeeding his close Friend Ronald Reagan. Laxdall 64. And Reagan became friends when they served As governors of neighbouring Stales Laxdall in Nevada Reagan in California. Three times the Nevada served As chairman of Reagan presidential campaigns and he commands the loyalty of Many staunch supporters of the president. The betting is he won run. Pal Robertson the 55-year-old television evangelist surprised Many politicians Bush included with a Strong organizational Elloul in the Michigan gop precinct elections last summer. But Republican regulars Are concerned about his rigid views on social issues. Wariness of mixing religion with politics could make Robertson the Jesse Jackson of the gop in 1988. But his Strong following among fundamentalist christians maces it impossible to Wale of Robertson Donald hums Fem. He has an impressive resume former congressman from Illinois former defense Secretary and White House chief of stall and successful businessman. But the Public service ended in the 1970s and Rumsfeld is Back with Hatgas the darkest of dark horse candidates