NEWS CONFERENCE 889

Q. Catalyst for whom or what?

A. Catalyst for Republican victory.

Q. Did he indicate he's for Rockefeller, Governor?

A. No he didn't.

Q. Did you, Sir?

A. No.

Q. Did you indicate that you're for Mr. Nixon?

A. No.

Q. Governor, on that subject, at the last press conference we had
some discussion about whether you were pledged to serve four years,
and I wasn't there but I read that your thinking was a somewhat differ-
ent position from the impression that was created at that press confer-
ence. Would you clarify that point now, are you pledged to serve
four years as Governor?

A. Don't you read — don't you believe what you read in your own
paper, Mr. Weiss?

Q. I do [laughter], but like most releases from your office, it was in
the morning papers.

A. Yes, I'll clarify it — I intend to serve out the four years.

Q. No matter what?

A. No matter what. As long as I'm alive, that is.

Q. Has Governor Rockefeller contacted you about meeting with the
Maryland delegation at all?

A. No, he has not.

Q. Has Mr. Nixon?

A. No.

Q. Governor, Senator Tower endorsed Mr. Nixon. Do you think
Mr. Nixon has the nomination sewed up now?

A. I really don't know because I haven't made any delegate checks,
or counts, myself.

Q. Has anything happened over the past weeks to make you change
your mind about the Favorite Son role?

A. No.

Q. When you turn the delegation loose as a Favorite Son at Miami
Beach, how do you think they'll line up?