Backing into The Race

Putting it on paper

"The time has come," said Senator Paul Laxalt. His close friend the President was just about to make his surprise announcement of a new Interior Secretary, but Laxalt had other important political business to discuss in the Oval Office last Thursday afternoon. "I'd like authorization in writing to go ahead and form the committee for your re-election," said the Nevada Republican. The senior presidential aides in the room—James Baker, Michael Deaver, Edward Rollins—waited for the answer. They all knew that although the President seemed ready to run for another...

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