Reagan-Bush Stand on Badham Made ‘Clear’

In Republican political circles, the question had caused confusion in recent weeks.

Had President Ronald Reagan and Vice President George Bush really endorsed Rep. Robert E. Badham (R-Newport Beach) for reelection? Or were they remaining neutral in the 40th Congressional District’s contested primary?

And if Reagan and Bush were remaining neutral, was Badham misrepresenting their position when he claimed--as he had throughout the campaign--that Bush and Reagan are behind him?

Since May 2, Badham’s challenger, 33-year-old management consultant Nathan Rosenberg, has complained that Badham was incorrectly stating that he had been endorsed by Reagan and Bush.

Had Their ‘Support’

Badham’s aides responded that the five-term incumbent may not have technically received an endorsement from Reagan and Bush, but that Badham clearly had their “support.”

The confusion continued last week when Helen Cameron, the political director of Bush’s political action committee, the Fund for America’s Future, reportedly said that a $1,000 contribution by that committee to Badham’s campaign had been a mistake. In the future, she added, the committee would remain neutral.

Late Friday, Badham’s campaign committee released a statement from Lee Atwater, president of Fund for America’s Future and Cameron’s boss, that was supposed to clear up all the confusion. According to the statement, Bush and Reagan are supporting Badham but are not formally endorsing him.

Campaign Contribution

At the same time, said Badham campaign aide David Vaporean, the Fund for America’s Future has agreed to contribute the maximum amount allowable, $5,000, to Badham’s campaign. “A second check was cut this week,” for the additional $4,000, Vaporean said. So what did all this mean?

“Atwater makes it absolutely clear,” Vaporean said. “They (Bush and Reagan) are not endorsing Bob Badham. But they’re behind him.”

However, Friday evening, when the statement was read to Harry Rosenberg, the candidate’s campaign manager and brother, he said the issue was still not clear.

“I’ve got a call in to him (Atwater) for clarification,” Harry Rosenberg said.