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Memo shows recall bush plot { August 6 2003 } Original Source Link: (May no longer be active)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2003/08/06/MN114924.DTLhttp://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2003/08/06/MN114924.DTL
Memo casts recall as windfall for Bush
Grassroots appeal to 'women against Davis'
Carla Marinucci, Chronicle Political Writer
Wednesday, August 6, 2003
©2003 San Francisco Chronicle | Feedback
While White House and national GOP officials insist they won't get involved in the California recall, a memo obtained by The Chronicle outlines a Republican strategy to oust Gov. Gray Davis and help President Bush before the 2004 presidential election.
The memo by California GOP organizer Julie Leitzell, who heads a political action committee called CommonSense Direction, says the Oct. 7 recall election presents an opportunity to target disaffected voters -- particularly women.
"We will work outside of the campaigns and outside of the party," the memo to Republican activists says. "None of the candidates will be attending, as we want to make sure the media are steered toward the 'common sense women against Davis' angle."
Leitzell's memo clearly suggests the imprimatur of the White House.
"Mindy Tucker, former Bush campaign spokesperson and current Bush campaign operative in California, has the White House's blessing to set the record straight: The person responsible for this recall is sitting behind the governor's desk," the memo says.
Both Tucker and officials at the Republican National Committee denied Tuesday direct involvement and -- mirroring earlier statements by the White House -- said the recall election is "a matter to be decided by the people of California."
A high-level GOP official, speaking not for attribution, characterized the plan by Leitzell, a former communications adviser to 2002 gubernatorial candidate Bill Simon, as the work of an enthusiastic -- but unofficial -- party volunteer.
"To suggest that there is White House involvement in this particular activity would be incorrect," said Tucker, a spokeswoman for Bush's 2000 presidential campaign and former high-level Republican National Committee staff member who is now working full time for the GOP in California.
But, she added, "the president has given everybody in California his blessing to take a position on this . . . and as a Republican woman in California, I feel strongly that Gray Davis has been an awful governor."
Leitzell, reached Tuesday night, downplayed her role in a larger GOP strategy, saying she was a grassroots volunteer who had no connection to the White House or the Republican National Committee.
But her memo says Tucker, California Republican Party spokeswoman Karen Hanretty, and Tracy Schmitt -- formerly with the RNC and now with the Bush- Cheney 2004 campaign -- "will be coordinating seven simultaneous media- friendly events throughout California, (and) we have been asked to call the Bay Area's attention to just how much Gray Davis will cost us if he were left in office."
The memo states "the resulting issue-oriented and image-enhancing coverage will benefit the image of the Republican Party, the recall candidates, and will benefit President Bush as we remind the public of who is to blame for the mess in this state."
RECEIVES GUIDANCE
Though she said her work is separate from party operations, Leitzell acknowledged she has received guidance from GOP decisionmakers.
"Mindy (Tucker) talks to us occasionally, and she's there to guide us as far as what we can do, as far as organizing events," she said. "She's there for us, so is Karen (Hanretty) . . . and Tracy (Schmitt)."
With just four days left to file as replacement candidates in the recall election -- and a week before Bush arrives in California for two days of official business and fund raising -- the memo reflects what many Republicans say should be an active approach to take advantage of the recall in a state that has been dominated recently by Democrats.
While the White House and Bush's chief political adviser Karl Rove "don't have to get involved, they can tell Republicans: Send money, open up your checkbooks," said a senior Republican Party strategist. "Give to Tom, Dick and Harry. Give to (Hustler publisher) Larry Flynt, for all I care. Just give."
Said GOP strategist Sean Walsh: "The Democrats (in California) are going to come unglued, and it's going to bleed over into the presidential race. You can either let the recall drive you -- or you can drive elements of the recall to your advantage."
TRYING TO PICK UP GROUND
Walsh added: "If this recall is going to happen, and Gray has alienated women, you can't fault Republicans for trying to pick up some ground."
The White House and the Republican National Committee leadership have taken pains to distance themselves from the recall because "any involvement . . . would give the Democrats opportunity to tie the White House to this, and say 'it's a Karl Rove-driven conspiracy,' " said a GOP adviser to the White House.
White House advisers and insiders have stressed repeatedly that neither the president nor high-level party officials intend to endorse any candidate in the recall race.
One reason for caution: In the 2002 California's governor's race, the White House backed former Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan, only to be embarrassed when the moderate mayor was handily defeated in the GOP primary by Simon, a conservative who was then defeated in November 2002 by Davis.
TIMELY MESSAGE
But Republicans strategists -- including Tucker and Hanretty -- acknowledge the statewide recall will provide an unexpectedly rich, and timely, opportunity to get out the party's message on a stage before California's 15.2 million registered voters as they begin to turn their attention to the next presidential race.
Bush will draw that contrast in campaign events and official visits to San Diego on Aug. 14 and the Los Angeles area on Aug. 15.
"Nothing defines the difference in leadership between Democrats and Republicans than a comparison between the weak, failed leadership of Gray Davis and the very successful leadership of George W. Bush," Hanretty said. "And certainly, every day that Gray is in office is one more day to draw the distinct comparison with voters."
And Tucker said, "We've identified some areas where the recall will help us build the party -- not only for the recall, but also for '04, which everyone believes is important."
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GOP's strategy memo seeks women's vote
Excerpts from a memo by California GOP organizer Julie Leitzell, outlining Republican strategies to oust Gov. Gray Davis in the recall election:
"How much has Gray Davis cost every family and taxpayer in California? How much more will the bill come to if he is left in office? Whether we were for or against the recall as a political strategy, it's important that we use this opportunity (and hot news hook) to present an image of diverse Republican women (moms, educators, business owners, students, working women) united around fiscal responsibility and against the job-killing policies of Davis' regime."
"We will work outside of the campaigns and outside of the party. None of the candidates will be attending as we want to make sure the media are steered toward the 'common-sense women against Davis' angle. The resulting issue- oriented and image-enhancing coverage will benefit the image of the Republican Party, the recall candidates, and will benefit President Bush as we remind the public of who is to blame for the mess in this state. We are working on getting a big-name female draw for each local event."
E-mail Carla Marinucci at cmarinucci@sfchronicle.com.
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