Sen. Reagan?

Dad pulls in his coattails

Maureen Reagan thinks she'll run. "I hope not," President Reagan blurted out several weeks ago. White House aides are aghast at the First Daughter's possible entry into next year's California Senate race. "She's a real loose cannon," says one. But a California political pro is hedging his bets: "You can't totally write her off."

Three years ago, Maureen Reagan (the President's oldest child by his first wife, Jane Wyman) retired from a lackluster show-business career --a little singing, a little acting, a success as a local television talk-show host in the early '70s. "I didn't want to be 40 years old and still billed as somebody's kid." Now an executive with Sell Overseas America, an organization promoting overseas exports, she is finally 40, recently married to her third husband, Dennis Revell, 28, a law clerk, and still billed as somebody's kid--and an unpredictable one at that.

The question is: Will being her father's daughter help or hurt? The President does not believe she can win, and Stepmother Nancy is definitely opposed. Further more, incumbent Republican Senator Sam Hayakawa, 75, who says he will run again, is an old conservative ally of the President.

But California is known for its improbable political successes. A famous name has not hurt the current front runners in the fight to take over Hayakawa's seat--Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. (son of the former California Governor) and Representative Barry Goldwater Jr. (son of the current Arizona Senator). At the moment, possible Senate candidates also include moderate Congressman Pete McCloskey, conservative Congressmen Robert Dornan and John Rousselot, and San Diego Mayor Pete Wilson. Mervin Field's California Poll last week gave Maureen Reagan only 7% of the vote.

Maureen Reagan has been active in Republican affairs since 1964-- before her father ever held public office. She has impressed women's groups--and alienated many G.O.P. regulars--with her staunch support of the Equal Rights Amendment. Says California Campaign Organizer Bill Roberts: "Her differences with her father could hurt her. But if she could get a bankroll, she could be devastating."

A father-daughter talk over dinner at the ranch last week produced neither parental blessing nor further disparaging remarks. Presidential endorsement is doubtful; tactful neutrality is more likely. Will he object? Says Maureen: "To coin a phrase, I hope not."

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