8 Orange County Republicans Defect

The defection of eight prominent Orange County Republicans to the Democratic presidential campaign prompted a verbal confrontation Friday outside a private club between moderate and conservative Republicans, highlighting an unusual split in GOP ranks in politically conservative Orange County.

The brief debate in the parking lot of the Pacific Club followed the announcement by the eight political and business leaders that they are endorsing Arkansas Gov. Bill Clinton’s candidacy. Those making the political switch included Orange County Supervisor Harriett M. Wieder, home developer Kathryn Thompson, and Western Digital Corp. Chairman Roger W. Johnson.

The formation of the Independent Americans for New Leadership committee was part of an 18-state announcement of similar switches to Clinton and had been anticipated for some time. But its formal entry onto the local political scene refueled part of the ongoing fight over control of the local Republican Party.

“My announcement today comes with much difficulty and sadness,” said Wieder, who became a Republican in the 1970s and has supported all the Republican presidents since Richard M. Nixon.

The convention “turned its back on me and other Republicans like me when its members embraced, in fact, were captured, by the religious right that ignores the constitutional mandate of separation of church and state.”

Joining Wieder, Thompson and Johnson in endorsing Clinton were Dana Point Mayor Pro Tem Judy Curreri; Harry Jeffrey, president of the local chapter of the California Republican League; Anita Mangels, a board member of the California Abortion Rights Action League PAC; Bob Nelson, a public relations executive and Republican political consultant, and Del Weber, president of the California Teachers Assn.

But as the group attempted during the news conference to slow Bush’s post-convention momentum, Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-Long Beach) stood outside with 20 demonstrators and downplayed the significance of the move toward Clinton.

“How do we feel about these people leaving?” Rohrabacher asked. “Good riddance!” the crowd responded.

Singling out Wieder for attack, the congressman said her Republican credentials “are as phony as her college degree.” He was referring to her admission in 1990, during her unsuccessful congressional campaign against Rohrabacher, that she once had issued a resume falsely listing a journalism degree from a Michigan college.