GOP Fight Poses Problem for Six O.C. Congressmen : Politics: Moderate Lewis is pitted against Texas conservative in struggle for key post.

House Republicans today will decide a hard-fought leadership race that poses a particularly difficult problem for Orange County’s six conservative representatives.

The contest for the third-ranking GOP leadership post, which pits moderate California Rep. Jerry Lewis of Redlands against conservative Texan Dick Armey, is of special importance. Its outcome, members agree, will largely shape the minority party’s dealings with Democrats--and President-elect Bill Clinton--during the next two years.

Most Hill veterans say the race is too close to call, and both candidates are claiming they have the votes to win.

While Texas members universally support Armey, Lewis’ bid to keep his position as chairman of the House Republican Conference has deeply split the California delegation. The conference comprises the 176 House Republicans and determines party strategy and policy.

Some Orange County conservatives have strongly criticized Lewis in the past for being too accommodating to House Democrats. Reps. Robert K. Dornan (R-Garden Grove) and Dana Rohrabacher (R-Huntington Beach) were particularly incensed in 1990 when Lewis supported a budget accord that called for substantial tax increases.

Armey, on the other hand, is an economist and conservative soul-mate on such bread and butter issues as taxes and spending. But Lewis is a Californian. And so, almost unbelievably, the normally outspoken Dornan and most other members of the Orange County delegation are keeping quiet on the Armey-Lewis contest.

“Let me give you the kind of weak answer that doesn’t normally come from Bob Dornan,” Dornan said last week. “It’s a secret ballot, and because it involves a Californian, you tend to be more sensitive. Keep the poker out of the fire, let the fires burn softly.”

Although Dornan would not say who he is supporting, other members said they expect he will vote for Armey.

Rep. Christopher Cox (R-Newport Beach) echoed Dornan’s caution. “We have two quality candidates, one of whom is going to win,” Cox said. “I’m not anxious to criticize publicly someone whom I would be delighted to have serve as chairman of the conference.”

Even conservative stalwart and Republican Whip Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.), who led an effort to oust Lewis two years ago, downplayed his involvement in the race. “I’ll vote for Dick, but my support’s not relevant,” Gingrich said. “I’m only one vote.”

One exception to the self-imposed gag rule is Rohrabacher. The congressman said he is supporting Armey because Clinton’s election as President means that congressional Republicans must be willing to take on the Democrats who are running the House, Senate and White House.

“If we don’t forcefully and aggressively articulate our alternative, we will be doing a great disservice not only to our party, but our country,” Rohrabacher said.

The general silence does not mean that Orange County representatives are not closely watching the race.

“It’s a fight over style,” said one congressman, who asked not to be named. “Are we going to fight, or are we going to continue to accommodate the majority?” he asked. Answering his own question, he said: “We must confront. We must demand our role in shaping legislation. The time of accommodation and secret arrangements . . . those days should be over.”

According to several Orange County Republicans, that means that Lewis must go.

Two years ago, California Republicans, led by retiring Rep. William E. Dannemeyer (R-Fullerton), ousted Lewis from his seat on the Committee on Committees, the panel that doles out GOP committee assignments. Rep. Ron Packard (R-Oceanside), with four years’ less seniority, was elected to the post.

Packard, who represents southern Orange County, declined to say anything about the race, as did freshman Rep. Edward R. Royce (R-Fullerton), who is taking Dannemeyer’s place in the 103rd Congress. Rep. Jay C. Kim (R-Diamond Bar), who represents Yorba Linda, said Friday that he has not yet decided who he will support.

Several California Republicans charged that Lewis in years past used his position on the Committee on Committees to build support for himself as conference chair by doling out key assignments to out-of-state congressmen, to the detriment of fellow Californians.

“That’s why there is such ill will . . . and why the delegation is heavily split against him,” one member said. People would rather go with a Texan than their own Californian, because they resent how Lewis affected their career.”

Armey, a five-term congressman and former economics professor, has made his mark in the House with his tough budget-cutting stands and military base-closing legislation. To demonstrate his frugality, he once slept in a rollaway bed in his office to save personal expenses.

In a written statement, Armey urged Republicans to unite around economic issues, saying: “We need to develop a more inclusive, aggressive conference that will help define for Americans what Republicans stand for.”

Neither Armey nor Lewis made themselves available for interviews. Lewis did not release a statement.

Armey’s supporters say his toughness, economic savvy and straight talk are what set him apart from Lewis.