Fund-Raiser May Be Brown’s Last Hurrah as Speaker : Politics: As Assembly leader’s reign nears its end one way or another, he hints that he may run for mayor of San Francisco this year.

The 1,000 or so men and women, elegant in their tuxedos and gowns, could tell this was no rubber-chicken political affair when they were ushered to the dining room through a tunnel of palm fronds, as pumped-in mist swirled around their feet.

The mist vapor allowed each guest at this black-tie affair to make a grand entrance. On stage, the Oakland Symphony Orchestra, complete down to the harp, provided music. Later, the symphony would play backup for headliner Ray Charles.

The lavish production was not for some visiting member of the royal family or a head of state. This was a $1,000-a-plate political fund-raiser to commemorate Willie Brown’s 15th anniversary as Speaker of the California Assembly.

The San Francisco Democrat has held a fund-raiser here every year, but this one carried special significance.

Of all the ways to mark the impending end of Brown’s reign as Speaker, the affair Saturday night at the San Francisco Hilton may be the most telling. Brown’s tenure is coming to a close--perhaps this year, if Republicans manage to muster a majority, certainly next year when he must leave the Assembly because of term limits. The fund-raiser Saturday was probably his last in his hometown as Speaker.

When he departs, Brown will certainly point to his longevity. He has been Speaker longer than anyone in California history. He will be able to cite his legislative accomplishments, and he will tout the diversity of the people he appointed to positions of power.

But as Speaker, Brown may be best remembered for his fund-raisers, which is why this was an appropriate send-off.

In a world where men are measured by their ability to raise money, Brown is legendary. In the past decade, Brown has raised more than $30 million for his campaigns and others, certainly more than any other state legislator in the nation.

All politicians, whether they are from Rancho Cucamonga or Los Angeles, hold fund-raisers. But Brown pushed them to new levels. His fund-raisers are part science, part performance art, all flash. Hollywood types invariably show up. This time, Danny Glover was there.

By Friday, the tuxedo shop across the street from the Capitol was all but cleared out of rented tuxes. Virtually every A-list Sacramento lobbyist had already plunked down the $1,000. On Saturday, they dressed up and drove over. The event will gross $750,000 to $800,000, and net more than $600,000. Brown will dole out the money to fellow Democrats as they try to regain control of the Assembly.

“He is the conductor, the air traffic controller for the dollars that come into the Assembly. That is the crux of his power,” said Ruth Holton of the watchdog California Common Cause, not among the invitees.

Common Cause is trying to get an initiative on next year’s ballot to limit campaign spending and fund raising. “His fund-raising prowess is a symptom of the problem. The real problem is that all that fund raising can happen,” Holton said.

In Sacramento, lobbyists might find themselves in attendance at an event put on by octogenarian state Sen. Ralph C. Dills (D-El Segundo), who plays the saxophone at his fund-raisers. It’s part of the game. They’ll have a drink (they must pay for it) and some greasy finger food (free), talk a little business and leave, having paid their $500 or $1,000.

So when Brown holds one of his bashes, the Capitol crowd is only too happy to drive 90 miles to “The City”--at the expense of the corporations they represent--and see the likes of Ray Charles. In other years, Lou Rawls, James Brown and Robin Williams have performed.

“He brings enormous style and art to politics,” said Patrick McCallum, a lobbyist for California community colleges. “He brings class and sophistication. He’ll surely be missed.”

On Saturday night, and in the days leading up the event, Brown’s son, Michael, attended to the details, as did Eleanor Johns, who works at Brown’s San Francisco law office. On the night of the event, Brown’s Assembly aides, enjoying one of the perks of working for Brown, were on hand to help make sure all would run smoothly.

Each table had an elaborate flower arrangement, illuminated by perfectly positioned lights from above. The fish was a little overdone. But the dessert, a cappuccino mousse served in a chocolate espresso cup, wasn’t bad. The Modesto-based Gallo winery, one of California’s largest campaign donors, provided the wine from its new upscale labels from Sonoma vineyards--”Sonoma, not Modesto,” a waiter emphasized.

Brown, host and master of ceremonies, could be seen from every table: when he spoke and when Ray Charles performed, their images were beamed on two huge televisions screens. Everyone in attendance received as a party favor two wineglasses and a bottle of Cabernet, whose specially made label commemorated Brown’s 15 years as Speaker.

“This probably is the last one (fund-raiser) in San Francisco--as Speaker,” Brown said as the cocktail hour before the dinner began. Later, he told the crowd that he is seriously thinking about running for San Francisco mayor, a job that pays $137,000 a year, but would mean a cut in pay because the city charter would require that he give up his lucrative law practice.

“In spite of the fact that it is an impossible job to be mayor of this crazy town,” said Brown, “in spite of all of the downsides, in spite of the fact that it doesn’t come any place close to being able to pay the kind of resources that I’m accustomed to being exposed to . . . you should not and will not be shocked if I ultimately make the decision to actually pursue that effort.”

At Brown’s event, lobbyists for the trial lawyers shared the night with the likes of former Republican state Sen. William Campbell of Hacienda Heights, who lobbies for the California Manufacturers Assn.

Back in Sacramento, Campbell’s organization is part of a group of corporate lobbies that want to dramatically alter the current legal system that has allowed trial lawyers to ply their trade, collect huge fees and become one of the most well-heeled lobbies in Sacramento.

Tobacco lobbyists joined restaurant lobbyists, who battled over a ban on smoking in public places last year. Saturday night, smokers had to leave the ballroom to light up, because the bill passed over Brown’s objection.

Most who showed up were Democrats, though Republicans were here too. Who knows? Brown pulled off a coup in January to regain the Speakership. Maybe he could do it again.

“Never count him out,” said Rod Blonien, a former Deukmejian Administration official who now lobbies for gambling and prison-related interests.

Brown introduced by name and personal asides every elected official here, from Lt. Gov. Gray Davis down to members of the San Francisco school board. At least seven San Francisco supervisors were there, more than a quorum. Brown made a point of introducing them all, further fueling speculation that he will run for San Francisco mayor this year.

He reserved special remarks for Assemblyman Paul Horcher of Diamond Bar, who was at a good table. Horcher is facing a recall next month for bolting from the GOP and voting for Brown as Speaker.

Horcher’s vote allowed Brown to retain the job even though Democrats hold only 39 of the 80 Assembly seats. Democrats in the crowd gave Horcher a standing ovation. Republicans did not rise.

“Willie’s (fund-raisers) are head and shoulders above everyone else’s. Way beyond,” said Assemblyman Kevin Murray (D-Los Angeles), among the dozen or so state lawmakers who showed up for the event, including at least eight from Southern California.

There is, Murray added, “a certain P.T. Barnum quality. He puts on a show. He truly wants people to have a good time.”