Who's who at the convention; some prominent people to watch

Sen. Howard H. Baker Jr. of Tennessee, remembered as the Republican hero of the Watergate hearings, could balance the ticket with his moderate stands on social issues. But he already has been criticized so sharply within the party for these stands that his supporters see him as effectively vetoed by the GOP right wing.

Bill Brock, Republican Party national chairman, has been widely credited with bringing the party out of its post-Watergate doldrums and, along with Senator Baker as Senate minority leader, has spearheaded the party's drive to broaden its base of support.

George Bush, who campaigned hard for the presidential nomination, is seen as the vice-presidential candidate who could do most to broaden and balance the Reagan ticket, especially in the field of foreign policy. He is popular with party regulars -- but apparently not with Ronald and Nancy Reagan.

William J. Casey, manager of the Reagan campaign, is a New York lawyer who provides one of his candidate's main links to the Eastern establishment.

Former President Gerald R. Ford was the only potential vice-presidential nominee who Reagan pollster Richard Wirthlin found appeared to add to Mr. Reagan's strength among voters.

Sen. Jesse Helms of North Carolina, a leader in the GOP right wing, will block George Bush's vice-presidential nomination by having his own name submitted by the North Carolina delegation, if necessary.

Sen. Nancy Landon Kassebaum of Kansas, the only woman in the Senate and temporary chairman of the convention, introduced a film Monday night on her father, Alfred Landon, the GOP presidential candidate in 1936.

Rep. Jack F. Kemp of New York is seen as Mr. Reagan's sentimental first choice as running mate. The word is that he would bring a youthful balance, but not much else, to the ticket. Not widely known, he is too close to Mr. Reagan to broaden the ticket ideologically.

Sen. Paul Laxalt of Nevada is chairman of the Reagan campaign and another vice- presidential possibility, though ideologically too close to Mr. Reagan to broaden the ticket.

Sen. Richard G. Lugar of Indiana, former Indianapolis mayor and Rhodes scholar, is on the list of vice-presidential possibilities. He is not widely known, but could provide some geographical balance to the ticket.

Edwin Meese III, the self-effacing, workload-absorbing chief of staff during Mr. Reagan's years as California governor, is likely to hold a similar position in a Reagan presidency.

Lyn Nofziger, a "tough political operative of the old school," as one observer puts it, is back in the Reagan camp as a close adviser after several months' absence. He had an important role in getting Mr. Reagan elected governor of California.

Rep. John J. Rhodes of Arizona, permanent chairman of the convention, will address the delegates Tuesday afternoon.

William Timmons, recently appointed political director of the Reagan campaign , is seen as very bright, but lacking in national campaign experience.

Sen. John Tower of Texas, a consistently conservative voice in the Senate, is chairman of the Republican Platform Committee.

Rep. Guy Vander Jagt of Michigan, a respected orator, is to give the convention's keynote address Tuesday afternoon.He is seen as one of several vice-presidential nomination "finalists."