■ Rep. Morris Udall (D., Ariz.), a shrewd politician just back from the hustings, says the polls will have to show the people 65 to 70 per cent in favor of impeachment before that sentiment is “reflected” in Congress. If Nixon goes, says Udall, it will be by resignation and under pressure from “the mainstream of the Republican Party.” . . . Barry Goldwater liked Nixon’s press conference and wishes he’d do it more often (like “possibly, once a week”). But he thinks the President should release “those portions of the White House tapes relating to the Watergate incident.” … A late Harris shows that Republican Sen. Howard Baker now shades Edward Kennedy in the presidential preference poll (by one percentage point). An earlier Harris showed Chuck Percy also ahead of Kennedy, findings that have sent startled Democratic pols back to the ’76 drawing boards. . . . Chairman Sam has made it with rock fans: He’s on the cover of Rolling Stone, but he’s less popular with his conservative constituents (many of them Nixon supporters) back home in North Carolina, which could hurt Ervin if he runs again.
■ With Spiro Agnew under attack, Ronald Reagan’s presidential prospects look even better. In an inflation-ridden, high-tax period, Reagan’s tax rebate to California taxpayers looks very good. Californians will be getting back $721 million in tax rebates in ’74 (a tax cut of between 20 and 35 per cent). . . . Nelson Rockefeller is up and running. He’ll campaign for conservative Rep. Charles Sandman in the New Jersey gubernatorial race this fall, despite fact that Sandman knocked out liberal GOP incumbent William Cahill, a political buddy of Rockefeller’s, in the primary. And that’s just one of several political swings Rocky is planning in the next couple of months. . . . Col. James Lindbergh, an ex-POW, has announced for the Republican nomination for governor of New Mexico next year. . . . Secretary of Labor Peter Brennan and Sen. James L. Buckley in bad odor for opposing an increase in the federal minimum wage. George Meany has rescinded his invitation to Brennan to speak at the AFL-CIO convention in Bal Harbour, Fla. in October, ditto the invitation Buckley had received to speak to the New York State AFL-CIO convention in September.
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