NEWS CONFERENCE 401

Q. Governor, have you heard anything from the Attorney General
in reference to the report on Commissioner Pomerleau?

A. I have a note on my desk this morning, and I want to point out
that I didn't get into the office yesterday because I didn't return from
Asheville until late last night. The note indicates that I should have
some word from the Attorney General, certainly by Monday.

Q. Governor, both Mr. Rockefeller and Governor Reagan of Cali-
fornia have indicated that Mr. Reagan will not run for vice president
nor will Governor Rockefeller run for president, being governor of
New York for a third term. Are you now prepared to look elsewhere
for a candidate?

A. Well, had I seen these statements two or three years ago I prob-
ably would have been prepared to give up, but my experience with
basic party politics now tells me that the complete disavowal on the
part of Governor Rockefeller, saying he has no interest whatsoever
and under no circumstances will he become a candidate, coupled with
the rather irrefutable statement by Governor Reagan that he will not
run with Governor Rockefeller and has no interest in that kind of
a ticket, makes me believe that it becomes even more possible.

Q. Governor, then you don't believe it?

A. No, I don't. I believe what they are saying is right now, as of
this moment, this is how they feel. But I have been around the politi-
cal machinery long enough to know that sometimes stranger things
than this have happened.

Q. Will you endorse this?

A. No, I'm thinking about a Reagan-Rockefeller ticket, now — Mr.
Reagan along with Winthrop Rockefeller. *

Q. Aren't you skeptical about politicians and elected office holders
who say they will not seek this or that office?

A. I would think so. I don't think I have to tell you that, Mr. Weiss.
Q. Are you willing to run for Vice President?

A. It's rather useless to ask me that, if predicating it on the previous
statement.

*The tone is facetious in the taped recording. —Ed.