198 ADDRESSES AND STATE PAPERS

Q. Governor, speaking of your own persuasion, you support Gov-
ernor Rockefeller. You are disenchanted with Mr. Romney, I assume,
and if so, why?

A. No, I don't think that's a fair statement. I'm not at all disen-
chanted with Mr. Romney, I simply feel Governor Rockefeller is a
clearly superior choice, not only over Mr. Romney but over everyone
else whom I have heard mentioned as a potential Republican candi-
date. Apparently Governor Rockefeller at this time has removed him-
self from consideration and now it becomes incumbent upon me and
upon other members of my party who hope to have a voice in chart-
ing its course nationally to make a selection. I'm engaged in trying to
do that at the moment.

Q. About Mr. Rockefeller, there are reports that he is not making
any bid at this time because he does not want a faction around Rom-
ney that would hurt Nixon. Would you be helping this?

A. I don't think so. If that's what they think he's doing, someone
should ask him, not me.

Q. Have you given up, altogether, your hopes of getting Mr. Rocke-
feller?

A. For the time being, yes.

Q. What does that mean?

A. It means just what I said, for the time being.

Q. Governor, Governor Love of Colorado, as the chairman of the
Republican Governors' Association, has announced within the past
few days that he's making a fact finding trip to Vietnam. Is there any
possibility that the Governor of Maryland may make a trip to Viet-
nam?

A. Not a chance. I have a few things to do here, and I don't intend
to interject myself into the national picture in water that deep.

Q. How deep will you inject yourself?

A. Deep enough to continue to communicate with my fellow gover-
nors and with members of my party on the national level to try to
keep myself as advised as I can of the current situation.

Q. Would you be interested in a national office?
A. No.