
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, September 13, 1995                   TAG: 9509130046
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A-6   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: WASHINGTON                                LENGTH: Short

PUBLISHER SIGNALS PRESIDENTIAL BID

With all signs pointing toward a GOP presidential bid, publisher Malcolm S. Forbes Jr. has set up a campaign headquarters, hired a staff of political professionals and appears ready to spend as much as $25 million of his own money, advisers say.

All that is left is for Forbes to make the decision, and intimates believe he will make the leap.

Forbes, who succeeded his late father as president and CEO of Forbes Inc., already has a dozen or so employees helping run an exploratory campaign effort out of an office in Bedminster, N.J., not far from his home.

Still under discussion is when and how Forbes might announce his decision. Political economist Jude Wanniski, one of Forbes' biggest supporters, believes only a lightning bolt could deter him at this point.

Forbes aides have been exploring TV markets and prices for a potential advertising run and are prepared for an all-out campaign, said a political adviser who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Although the Forbes team looked at buying TV time as early as Monday, no commercials have been completed and it is unlikely anything would air that soon, the adviser said.

Forbes, who goes by Steve, is little known nationally, has never held public office, and is considered a long shot by many in Republican circles. But his supporters say focus groups and polling indicate his message and image have appeal.

Keywords:
POLITICS

by CNB