California Republican Assembly endorses Bauer

The California Republican Assembly (CRA), the premier conservative activist group in the nation's largest state, endorsed Gary Bauer for President at its November 14 convention held in Southern California.

Bauer defeated Steve Forbes and Alan Keyes, both of whom also competed actively for the endorsement. Texas Gov. George W. Bush and Arizona Sen. John McCain, the Republican frontrunners, did not attend the convention and did not actively seek the CRA endorsement.

"I am the conservative alternative to George Bush," declared Bauer following a final ballot on which he beat Forbes 176 to 67. A two-thirds majority of the members present was required to win the group's formal backing.

Bauer's background as a White House advisor to President Reagan and as an advocate of social conservatism proved appealing to CRA members.

"We are excited that Forbes is on the campaign trail discussing our issues," said John Courtney, a Bauer supporter, who is the CRNs immediate past president. "But, as someone noted, when it comes time to pick who is going to be the pastor of the church or the CEO, you don't bring the new guy into those positions... [Bauer] has clearly been with the grassroots for 20-plus years- "

"We know that Gary Bauer has a track record," said Sergio Picchio, CRNs current president. "He has been consistent in his positions; he has been around a lot longer, be comes from the Reagan days."

Louisiana in the Lurch

Pat Buchanan's departure from the Republican race also benefited Bauer. "We managed to lock up the Buchanan vote," said Connie Mackey senior deputy campaign manag er for Bauer.

Picchio said he has been fielding calls from conservatives nationwide who are impressed with Bauer's performance "I think if the grassroots do a good job, Gary Bauer may do very well or even win the California primary," said Picchio.

Candidates may be facing a far different political landscape by the time the California primary rolls around, however. In the 1996 Republican nominating season, there were caucuses in Alaska and Louisiana in the two successive weeks preceding the Iowa caucuses. Pat Buchanan was able to win in both Alaska and Louisiana, developing momentum that helped him place second in Iowa and win New Hampshire. At the beginning of this presidential race, many of the conservative candidates, particularly Bauer and Forbes, seemed to be aiming at repeating Buchanan's 1996 strategy.

Now, events have thrown a monkey wrench into such plans. First, Alaska decided to hold its caucus on January 24, the same day as the Iowa caucuses, canceling out any momentum a candidate might gather from winning in the sparsely attended Alaska caucuses. Second, the Louisiana caucuses were scheduled for January 15, the same day as local Louisiana parish elections, raising such rudimentary questions as whether the Louisiana GOP will be able to secure enough voting machines to hold the event.

Bush, McCain and Forbes have dropped out of the Pelican State caucus, and Louisiana Gov Mike Foster and Secretary of State Fox McKeithen have recommended canceling it.

Copyright Human Events Publishing, Inc. Nov 26, 1999
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