1996 . . . WILSON TO DECLARE ON PRIME TIME

He's endured throat surgery,explained away an illegal housekeeper, slumped in the polls and seen campaign contributions roll in like molasses, butPete Wilson -- a master of hardball politics-- isn't giving up. The California governor told supporters this morning that he'llofficially announce his bid for the 1996 GOP presidential nominationnext Thursday on CNN's "Larry King Live." To make his intentions clear, Wilson's campaign office in downtown Sacramento unfurled banners saying "Pete Wilson for President." The determined governor dismissed recent political gossip suggesting that he would drop the idea of running: "There have been a lot of rumors to the contrary put out by people engaged in wishful thinking."