The Harris Survey REAGAN C01,lALLY TOP CHOICES FOR V, P, For Release: August 5, 1976 By Louis Harris b If the Republican party nominates as its presidential candidate, 25% of Republicans and independents nationwide would like to see former California Gov. as his running mate.

Former Treasury Secretary finishes as the second highest choice, followed by Sen. Charles Percy of Ill., Vice President and Sen. of Tennessee.

A number of Republicans have suggested that a Ford-Reagan ticket would unite the GOP for the fall campaign, after the divisive spring primaries and the hard-fought battle for delegates this summer. However, Reagan has steadfastly maintained that he would turn down any offer of second place on the Republican ticket, and those closest to him believe he will stick by that vow.

This latest Harris Survey of a cross section of 643 Republican and independent voters, taken after the Democratic National Convention, reveals sharply different patterns of preference for the GOP vice presidential nomination: Both Reagan and Connally are stronger among rank-and-file Republicans than amng independents. Among GOP voters, Reagan is the choice of 32% as President Ford's running mate. Connally and Rockefeller follow at 16 and 10%respectively. Among independent voters, Reagan is preferred by no more than 16%, followed by Sen. Percy at 152, Secretary of Commerce at 12% and Sen. Baker at 11%.

Thus, if a successful Gerald Ford wanted to heal wounds inside the Republican Party, the most popular choices would be Reagan or Connally: However, if he wanted to extend the appeal of his ticket beyond the 23% of the electorate that calls itself Republican, he might do better with Percy, Richardson or Baker.

A central problem any Republican candidate must face this year is the apparent massive defection of south- ern voters from party ranks. Carter now leads the President by 73-221 and Reagan by 71-251 in the South. With the exception of 1964, the Republicans have either carried the South or done very well there in recent presidential elections. Because he did well in the southern primaries, the prevailing wisdom is that with Reagan on the ticket, the Republican- could win back voters in the South.

However, when southern Republicans and independents were asked their preference for a Ford running mate, John Connally finished ahead of Ronald Reagan by 26 to 2041, with Howard Baker of Tennessee in third place, at 12%. + In terms of rank-and-file sentiment, Connally apparently would have more appeal than Reagan in the South as the vice president ial choice.

Of course, before Gerald Ford has the luxury of choosing his running mate, he must first win his party's nomination in City two weeks from now. ~eagan's'staff disputes the claims of the President's campaigners that he passed the necessary 1,1'30 delegate votes necessary to nail down the nomination. Only the actual count on the first ballot roll ,call will give a final answer to that question.

TABLE

Recently, the Harris Survey asked a national cross section of 643 Republican and independent voters: "Now here is a list of people who have been mentioned as possible running mates for President Ford if he ends up being the Republican candidate for President. (HAND RESPONDENT CARD). If you had to choose right now, who would be your first choice to run with President Ford for vice president on the Republican ticket this year?"

PREFERENCE FOR FORD RUNNING MATE -Total Republicans Independents Not Sure 1 1 % % Ronald Reagan 25 32 16 20 John Connally 13 16 9 26 Sen. Charles Percy 11 9 15 2 Nelson Rockefeller 10 10 10 8 Sen. Howard Baker 9 8 11 12 Secretary of Commerce Eliot Richardson 8 4 12 4 Sen. Edward Brooke 3 3 4 4 Ambassador Anne Armstrong 3 2 3 -- Gov. Daniel Evans 1 1 * -- Sen. Bill Brock 1 1 2 4 None 1 1 1 1 ~otsure 15 13 17 19

*less than .5 of 1% --None

Copyright 1976 by the Chicago Tribune. World Rights Reserved. 76: 65