September 14, 2003

Republicans take their chance to stick it to Democrats

Convention Notebook

BY NORA K. WALLACE
NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER

For Republicans at the state party convention this weekend, buttons and bumper stickers are as sought after as access to Arnold Schwarzenegger.

"Hasta La Vista Gray Davis," declares one of the most popular buttons. The phrase is also affixed to bumper stickers, T-shirts and even Terminator-style sunglasses.

"Happiness is a Republican Governor," declares another hot seller, while one shirt proclaimed, "California's Day of Liberation: Oct. 7."

Anti-Democratic messages were overflowing some tables, with bumper stickers stating: "There are Americans, and there are liberals," "Vote Democrat, it's easier than working," and "Annoy a liberal. Work hard, be happy."

Former first lady Hillary Clinton is still a favorite target, with unflattering images of her face plastered on pins. On the flipside, former President Ronald Reagan is still revered, with "I miss President Reagan" bumper stickers next to Beanie Baby plush toys embroidered with the former president's likeness. For $2, George Bush bobble-head pins were a top seller at one booth, as were magnets, stickers and pins with a simple "W, 2004" message.

***

Republican Party loyalists probably could have never imagined they'd be chanting "Cruz, Cruz, Cruz," during this weekend's state convention.

But after Cruz Bustamante look-alike Mike Kimmel took the stage in a highly-staged stunt Friday night, that's just what happened.

"I'd like to thank you for creating this job opportunity for me," Mr. Kimmel-as-Bustamante said. "You can trust Cruz. I told you I wouldn't run for governor. I told you I'd always support California. Now I'm here to tell you, I've always loved Republicans."

***

When he bowed out of the gubernatorial race after spending $1.7 million of his own money, Darrell Issa sobbed with emotion in front of television cameras. Ever since, he has been getting plenty of ribbing about the tears, even though he says he's the kind of guy who gets his teeth drilled without painkillers and never sheds a tear.

On Friday night, he jokingly told the story of a telephone conversation he says he had with Mr. Schwarzenegger following his tearful goodbye.

"I saw your last speech and I'm sending you something in the mail," Mr. Issa said the actor told him.

"Cool, I'm getting something from Arnold. Maybe it's an autographed copy of his economic plan," Mr. Issa said to a howling audience.

Then he held up a huge multipack of Kleenex tissues. He said he also got a present from party chairman Duf Sundheim, and held up a large box of tissues.

"He watches TV too," Mr. Issa said.

Next came a gift from President Bush's California campaign point man Gerald Parsky -- a box of tissues with the presidential seal and a label warning, "Property of the White House, do not remove."

Finally, he said, Tom McClintock slipped something into his pocket -- a small travel packet of Kleenex.

"I don' t know if Tom was just being a fiscal conservative, or perhaps he was telling me to keep my speech short," Mr. Issa said.

***

Even the Republican Party's media team understands the draw of the convention this year. With hundreds of media outlets interested in covering the historic event, access to Saturday's main events -- a luncheon speech by Arnold Schwarzenegger and dinner speech by Tom McClintock -- were highly coveted. For the luncheon, 250 press credentials were issued.

During a media logistics briefing Friday, GOP press secretary Mike Wintemute auctioned off sites for a press stage to broadcast media outlets -- all eager for close-up views of Mr. Schwarzenegger's speech.

For a dinner speech by Mr. McClintock, however, Mr. Wintemute admitted, "We don't anticipate the same number of people."

***

The Terminator is coming to Santa Barbara County, and not just for some high-cost fund-raising events on Sept. 21.

Nope, this Terminator, aka Arnold Schwarzenegger, will be a life-size cutout procured by the county's Republican Central Committee. Committee chairwoman Carol Anderson and others will take the actor's doppelganger on the road, for use at voter registration tables before the Sept. 22 registration deadline.

Mrs. Anderson, of Carpinteria, jokes about not being able to afford a $5,000-per-person Montecito fund-raiser for the actor-turned-politician. It's being hosted by Democratic movie producer Ivan Reitman.

"Republicans can't go to that," she laughed. "Democrats charge too much."

***

Former Newport Beach Assemblyman Gil Ferguson served in Sacramento from 1984 to 1994, and remembers the first time he ever met Tom McClintock -- who began his legislative career as a 26-year-old assemblyman and is now a gubernatorial candidate and state senator.

"I thought he was a page boy on the floor," laughed Mr. Ferguson. "I asked the sergeant at arms, was he allowed to be there? The sergeant at arms said, 'He was elected.' "

***

Former 33rd District Assemblyman Tom Bordonaro was laughing in a hallway Friday night about how crowded the convention was that day.

"These are so boring usually," said Mr. Bordonaro, who is now tax assessor of San Luis Obispo County. With his wife, Martha, and former campaign treasurer Betty Presley tagging along, Mr. Bordonaro was complaining about the high cost of the semiannual event's meals -- some were $50 and $60.

He's introduced an amendment to the state party's bylaws to do away with the annual fall convention and just keep one springtime gathering. At this time of year, he contends, party faithful should be in the streets, finding new voters and working on campaigns. He thinks the amendment will fail, but he's planning to change the wording to say the convention should at least be held before Labor Day each year.

***

Since the recall effort began, Shawn Cubbage estimates he's helped sell 2,000 T-shirts and 10,000 bumper stickers. As an assistant campaign coordinator for the www.yesonrecall.com organization, he's been all over the state with the campaign's message. The former Sacramento park ranger dropped out of graduate school to help with the recall.

"I decided to use my anger and nervous energy from Gray Davis being re-elected and funnel that energy" into the recall, he said. He believes the governor lied during the 2002 election about the state budget deficit and that Mr. Davis is "so far removed" from the public.

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