California Group Asks Texas’ Bush to Seek Presidency

SACRAMENTO — Twenty-five California legislators Wednesday signed a letter urging Texas Gov. George W. Bush to run for president--a slap at former Gov. Pete Wilson and other Republicans considering entering the race.

The letter from state Republicans was sent 14 months before California’s primary. But those urging Bush to run say there’s little time to waste because serious contenders will need to raise roughly $25 million for a campaign--most of it in $1,000 increments.

Bush has not said whether he will run. But Republicans who signed the letter say they are convinced he is the one potential candidate who can win in 2000--a key factor in California, where Republicans were trounced in last November’s election.

“In the year 2000, if we’re going to be in the game at all . . . we’ve got to have someone solid at the top,” said state Sen. Ray Haynes (R-Riverside), who signed the letter.

The missive was signed by 22 of the 32 Assembly Republicans and three of the 15 state Senate Republicans. While some moderates signed the letter, conservatives led the effort to gather signatures.

“America needs an experienced leader who brings conservative values and a winning candidacy that will reach out to all,” the letter said. It concludes: “We ask for your favorable consideration to lead America as our president, and we commit to you our support.”

Sean Walsh, spokesman for Wilson, shrugged off the letter, saying: “It is all part of the process.” Wilson, said Walsh, continues to assess whether he can raise enough money to mount a credible campaign.

Assembly Republican leader Rod Pacheco of Riverside, who signed the letter, noted that Bush called him shortly after Pacheco was elected as the lower house’s minority leader late last year. Pacheco visited Bush in Texas last month, and said he was impressed with Bush’s policies in support of the death penalty and school reform.

But Pacheco said his decision to sign the letter doesn’t mean that he has endorsed Bush, merely that he wants Bush to run.

“It’s not an endorsement letter. I encouraged Gov. Bush to run. I encouraged Pete Wilson to run,” Pacheco said. “[Wilson] is not going to perceive any disloyalty from me. Pete Wilson and I have a very good relationship.”

In 1995, at least 20 Republican lawmakers sent a similar letter endorsing the presidential bid of Texas Sen. Phil Gramm, whose campaign sputtered early in the 1996 primary.

California’s primary will be March 7, 2000. That is early in the nominating process and could give the state more clout in selecting party standard-bearers.

“I’m hoping [the letter] puts him over the top in his decision to run,” said Assemblyman Bill Leonard (R-San Bernardino), who helped circulate the letter. “Running a campaign in California to some non-Californians can look like a daunting task. I think this would give him a lot of confidence.”

In a statement, Bush spokeswoman Karen Hughes said: “I’m sure Gov. Bush very much appreciates their words of support. He hopes they will understand that he has not made a decision at this point, but he is thinking very seriously and intends to make an informed decision. He appreciates their input and their encouragement.”

Bush, who came to California nine times last year to help state candidates raise money, does not plan to attend next month’s California Republican convention, opting to remain in Texas while that state’s Legislature is in session.

At least seven other presidential aspirants have promised to attend, including former Vice President Dan Quayle, former Tennessee Gov. Lamar Alexander and businessman Steve Forbes. Wilson also is scheduled to appear.

“Most of them are has-beens,” said Assemblyman Bruce Thompson (R-Fallbrook). “They’ve tried this. They failed at it . . . and George Bush has not. This is the fresh leader we need.”

“The bottom line,” said Michael Schroeder, head of the state GOP, “is that we’re sick to death of losing.”

Schroeder and the state party have not endorsed a candidate. But the party leader said that “at this point, most people consider Gov. Bush to be the clear Republican front-runner.”