American Notes CAMPAIGNS

One is the son of a Basque sheepherder who settled in Nevada, the other the child of Greeks who immigrated to Massachusetts. Former Nevada Senator Paul Laxalt, 64, a Republican, and Massachusetts Governor Michael Dukakis, 53, a Democrat, both announced their intentions to run for President last week.

Laxalt launched his campaign exploratory committee with an announcement at the National Press Club in Washington. Quipped Laxalt, a close friend of Ronald Reagan's who served as his presidential campaign chairman three times: "In Western parlance, this hired hand is ready to take over as foreman." He already has the support of several Reagan loyalists, including Campaign Aide Lyn Nofziger and Pollster Richard Wirthlin.

Dukakis declared his candidacy in four states in one day, first at a renovated mill in New Hampshire. He then drove home to Boston to repeat the announcement on snow-Boston Common, before continuing to Atlanta and Des Moines. In Boston, pointing to Massachusetts' much touted economic revival, Dukakis took a jab at Candidate Gary Hart's "new ideas" campaign: "Ask more than whether we have new ideas. Ask whether we have already made new ideas work."