Cruz control a concern
GOP backers seek path for Arnold
A group of GOP moderates led by Rep. David Dreier (R-San Dimas) are working behind the scenes to coalesce Republican support around Schwarzenegger and pressure McClintock to step aside. The group was encouraged by Peter Ueberroth's decision to drop out of the race Tuesday. They believe it's past time for McClintock to follow suit.
"It's essential that (McClintock) drop out if he doesn't want to be personally responsible for electing Cruz Bustamante," Rep. Mary Bono (R-Palm Springs) told Daily Variety Wednesday.
Dreier, a co-director of Schwarzenegger's campaign, would not mention McClintock by name, saying only that he is trying to unite all Republicans behind Schwarzenegger, stressing his "fiscal conservative" bona fides.
Earlier this week, however, Dreier acknowledged advising Schwarzenegger to decline an offer to debate McClintock at the California Republican convention this weekend.
"This is not a Republican primary," he said. "With three weeks before the general election, a Republican primary is just what Cruz Bustamante and (Gov.) Gray Davis want."
Of the 20 Republicans in the California House delegation, 11 have endorsed Schwarzenegger, Bono said. The others have stayed neutral so far.
Those committed to Schwarzenegger are working overtime to help corral GOP support behind his candidacy, in order to avoid splintering the party and inadvertently help keep Davis in office or elect Bustamante.
Rep. Doug Ose (R-Sacramento) allowed two of his top aides -- his chief of staff and fundraiser -- to take a leave of absence to work for Schwarzenegger. Ose also has enlisted the support of a national group of moderate Republicans, known as the Mainstreet Partnership, to work on Arnold's behalf.
Ose also has personally helped Schwarzenegger rake in nearly $100,000 in August for the campaign.
The Partnership, meanwhile, is planning to spend $70,000 on a direct-mail campaign and telephone banks designed to encourage Republicans to coalesce around Schwarzenegger and, equally important, show up at the polls.
Sarah Chamberlain Resnick, who heads the Partnership, believes a Schwarzenegger win could re-energize GOP moderates in the state. She also hopes it could encourage California Republicans to rededicate themselves to a longtime goal: defeating Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.).
