Some Knew Where George Was and Sent Lots of Money for Him

San Diegan Charles W. Hostler modestly said that it was his way of “doing what I could” to help elect George Bush and other Republican candidates. Ralph E. Bodine described it as “my little way . . . of getting involved” with last year’s elections.

Few others, however, would use the word “little” to describe Hostler’s and Bodine’s roles in Election ‘88, for they, like four other people who either live in San Diego or have strong ties here, contributed at least $100,000 to the Republican National Committee last year.

Besides Bodine and Hostler, San Diego Chargers owner Alex Spanos and businessmen J. Neal Blue, Michael Dingman and George Gillett Jr. were among 249 top GOP donors listed on the so-called “Team 100” roster released this week by Republican leaders.

The “Team 100” program--targeted at political high-rollers who donated at least $100,000 to the Republican Party at the state or national level--was directed by Texas businessman and Commerce Secretary-designate Robert Mosbacher, who was finance chairman of President Bush’s campaign last fall.

No Direct Contributions, Just ‘Soft Money’

Under federal election laws, those donations could not be spent directly by Bush’s campaign. However, the funds--known as “soft money,” in political jargon--helped to bankroll indirect local and national party efforts to aid Bush and other Republican candidates.

Hostler, a private investor and international business consultant, said he made his $100,000 donation to the party “because I felt it was important that George Bush and Republican candidates receive adequate support.”

“I’ve been a consistent donor of varying amounts over the years, but this is the biggest amount,” said Hostler, a retired Air Force colonel who has lived nearly half his life abroad and is fluent in four languages.

From 1974-76, Hostler worked under James Baker, Bush’s campaign chairman and secretary of state designate, in the Commerce Department as director of the Bureau of International Commerce.

Although Hostler said he has no strong yearning to return to Washington, he added: “I have the highest respect for both George Bush and Jim Baker. If Jim Baker consults me, or, if there would be an offer, I’d be happy to consider it. I guess I’ll take it as it comes.”

In contrast, Bodine, chairman of the board of Sunkist Growers, said he has “absolutely no designs on any job” in the Bush Administration.

‘I Have Enough Jobs Already,’ Says Bodine

“I have enough jobs already,” said Bodine, a 46-year-old Point Loma resident. “I just felt it was imperative to support Republican candidates in order for there to be a continuation of what we’ve seen over the last eight years. This was my little way--or big way--of getting involved.”

The other four $100,000 donors with San Diego links could not be reached for comment. In addition to Chargers owner Spanos, who lives in Stockton, they are:

- J. Neal Blue, chairman and chief executive officer of General Atomics, a La Jolla-based high-technology company. Blue also is chairman of Cordillera Corp., a Denver-based holding company involved in the gas and oil business.

- George Gillett Jr., owner of Gillett Communications, the company that owns KNSD-TV (Channel 39).

- Michael Dingman, the managing director, chairman and chief executive officer of Henley Group, a La Jolla-based multi-industry conglomerate. Dingman, who formerly lived in La Jolla, now lives in Exeter, N.H.