Copyright The Washington Post Company Feb 21, 1987

When Howard Baker, former U.S. senator and a 1988 presidential hopeful, took his turn at praising political consultant Stuart Spencer, he echoed the jokes about Spencer's political savvy and famed unkempt dressing. And then he got into the evening's favorite topics: Spencer's advice, Don Regan's fortunes, and Regan and Nancy Reagan's telephone calls.

"George Bush asked Stu to tell him what to say in Iowa, and Spencer says, `Tell them you're Bob Dole.' Pat Robertson asked Stu if he thought God Almighty wanted him to run for president, and Stu said, `I don't know. Regan doesn't talk to me either.' "

By the applause meter last night at the Capital Hilton, most references to Don Regan, the White House chief of staff-who is reportedly feuding with Nancy Reagan and reportedly hung up the telephone on her twice recently-were a hit. The mostly Republican crowd of 600 who gathered to help Spencer, the chief architect of Ronald Reagan's 1980 campaign and a host of other contests, celebrate his 60th birthday responded raucously to the Regan jokes.

Tom Brokaw, the NBC News anchor who emceed the evening as the representative, he said, of the hundreds of journalists who think Spencer is an "exclusive source," started this way: With an envelope shading his eyes, Brokaw scanned the ballroom and said, "Don Regan, you have a call from Nancy Reagan but I had someone hang up on her for you." The laughs overwhelmed the boos on that one.

Later in the evening Brokaw broke even with two other observations. "Stuart Spencer," he said, "who has made it possible for himself to become at once a Washington power without ever leaving Southern California. And hell, if Marion Barry can do it, why can't Stu?" The applause was thunderous. A few seconds later, he said, "I am also compelled to make the observation-these days he is unique within that small circle of Reagan's oldest political friends. Stu is the only one without his own special prosecutor." Little applause, scattered laughs and a few hisses.

The invitations for last night's party, which was given by Spencer's children Karen and Steve, said "Polyester Preferred"-one in a long line of references to his dressing style. During a string of cryptic videotaped tributes, President Reagan recalled of the 1980 campaign, "By Election Day, with the 16-hour days, the overwhelming schedule and irregular meals, we all looked battered and frayed ... everyone, that is, except for Stu. He didn't look one bit different."

In the audience were Spencer's parents, Ken and Beulah, California Gov. George Deukmejian, South Carolina Gov. Carroll Campbell, pollster Richard Wirthlin, public relations executive Bob Gray, U.S. Ambassador to West Germany Richard Burt, White House Press Secretary James Brady, White House spokesman Marlin Fitzwater, Cabinet secretaries William Brock of Labor, John Herrington of Energy and Elizabeth Dole of Transportation, Republican National Committee Chairman Frank Fahrenkopf Jr., USIA Director Charles Wick and former congressman John Rousselot.

Also walking around were a group of actors from Town Clowns, dressed as Uncle Sam, Abraham Lincoln, Jimmy Carter, President and Mrs. Reagan and former speaker of the House Thomas (Tip) O'Neill, who kept taking swipes with a golf club at the ankles of all the Republicans.

Several White House advisers and appointees denied reports that the Iran-contra scandal has caused paralysis in the administration. "I am in contact with the principals and there is no paralysis," said former senator Paul Laxalt (R-Nev.). Asked if he thought Regan would stay, Laxalt said, "I think he will stay on for as long as he wants."

Wirthlin said that even though the president's job approval rating has fallen, 76 percent of the people polled said they still liked the president personally. "That anchor will provide a strong comeback," he said. Of the White House mood, he said, "Whenever there is a crisis, it impinges on the White House operation."

Brock noted, "Life is a little complicated," but stressed that the president in recent meetings had been "excited" about new domestic initiatives.

Hamilton Jordan, Jimmy Carter's chief of staff, showed up and also tried a "Regan telephone" joke. "Stu, if you excuse me, I will have to tell them about the telephone call we had last week. He was interrupted and the voice said, `This is the White House operator.' I eavesdropped and the voice came back on the phone and said, `Mr. Spencer, the leader of the Western World.' The next thing I heard was `Stu, this is Don Regan. You don't want a job in the White House, do you?' And he hung up."

At the end of his remarks, Jordan listed all the recent chiefs of staff and said, "Thank you, Don Regan, for making us all look so good."

Whatever Spencer's own view about the current flap at the White House and his own reported role in pressing for Regan's ouster, last night he was keeping his own counsel. When he thanked Jordan, he said, "I am sure that Hamilton is the one person in this room who enjoys Iranscam because he can forget about killer rabbits." Of Rep. Dick Cheney (R-Wyo.), who read a telegram from former president Gerald Ford, Spencer said, "Everyone is talking about chiefs of staff. You were the chief of staff in the middle of some good chiefs of staff. Some people said you made Haldeman look good. It wasn't me, Dick." CAPTION: Gov. Deukmejian, left, and Spencer last night. Sam Donaldson meets a Reagan imposter at last night's party for Stuart Spencer.