Inside Report (6)

He may be controversial, but he sure can bring down the house -- and rake in the money. Interior Secretary James Watt draws "cheering, stomping crowds" as one of the Republican National Committee's most sought-after speakers -- right behind Ronald Reagan, George Bush, and Treasury Secretary Donald Regan. RNC chairman Richard Richards says Watt is one of the party's best fund-raisers, having brought in $500,000-$600,000 for GOP candidates this year, more than any other speaker . . . with the exception, of course, of Reagan.

According to RNC polls, 50 percent of voters -- both Republicans and Democrats -- aprove of Watt. The other half either don't have an opinion or don't like the secretary.

"His critics are very vocal," concludes Richards, "but they're not large in number."m