Clinton, Dole to Campaign in Valley

President Clinton and his Republican challenger, Bob Dole, will pay a visit to the San Fernando Valley on Thursday to campaign for themselves and local candidates who are battling in tough races.

While Clinton plans to attend a fund-raiser at Universal City for Democratic Assembly hopefuls, Dole will appear in Glendale with several local Republican candidates who hope his presence will bolster local GOP voter turnout.

Republican strategists say Dole’s renewed effort in California comes just in time for GOP candidates who are locked in local races that may decide which party controls the state Assembly and Congress.

“We think the timing is great,” said Mike Madrid, campaign manager for John Geranios, a Republican candidate for the 43rd Assembly District. “It will energize some of the local Republican activists.”

Dole campaign aides say they have invited all local Republican candidates to the event on the steps of Glendale City Hall. As of Tuesday, Geranios and Assembly members Paula L. Boland (R-Granada Hills) and James Rogan (R-Glendale) said they planned to be there.

Meanwhile, the Clinton fund-raiser is intended to bolster the campaign coffers of the Democratic National Committee and those of Assembly candidates. The guest list includes local Assemblyman Wally Knox (D-Los Angeles) and Tony Cardenas, Assembly candidate for the 39th District.

A hard-fought battle for control of Congress, and the widely held view that either party could come out on top in the local districts, have given the local races national importance.

In the 27th congressional district, which stretches from the east San Fernando Valley to Glendale and Burbank, Rogan faces a tough race against Democrat Doug Kahn, an heir to the Annenberg fortune.

In the race for the 43rd Assembly seat formerly held by Rogan, Geranios, a wealthy businessman, faces off against Democrat Scott Wildman, a teacher who works for United Teachers-Los Angeles. The district includes Glendale and Burbank.

Boland, meanwhile, is battling Democrat Adam Schiff for the 21st Senate District seat to represent parts of the East Valley, Silver Lake, Burbank, Glendale and surrounding communities.

In recent months, some Republican candidates have appeared to be distancing themselves from Dole because his national campaign had not made an all-out effort in California.

Some Republican strategists say President Bush hurt the rest of the California Republican ticket four years ago when he pulled out of the state early.

But with the Dole campaign trailing in most polls, Dole aides said Sunday they have tentatively planned to pour resources into California in hopes of winning the state’s 54 electoral votes--representing one-fifth of the electoral votes needed to win the election.

Candidates and Republican consultants say Dole’s efforts in the state will provide the dual benefit of improving the turnout for Dole and revitalizing the local Republican base.

“We hope it will energize our local Republicans to volunteer to go out and register voters,” said Greg Mitchell, campaign director for Rogan.

The appearances by both Clinton and Dole will also come on the heals of the last presidential debate--in San Diego today--and the start of the final push before the November election.

Although Dole is trailing in the state polls, local Republicans say they plan to stand by his side as he campaigns in the area.

“Dole is coming to the district and James Rogan will be right there, so he won’t be turning his back on Dole,” Mitchell said.

Boland said the Dole appearance in a district where Clinton is leading in the polls is not a problem for her and other legislative candidates.

“It means he’s the presidential candidate and why wouldn’t somebody want to see and hear what he has to say?” said Boland, who is still working to juggle her previously set schedule to accommodate the Dole event.

“I’m certain he’d like all of us to win for the welfare of the community.”

Arnold Steinberg, a Los Angeles-based Republican pollster, said Dole’s efforts in the area can clearly help generate contributions and create media attention and excitement for local Republican candidates.

“Most candidates are running pretty strong campaigns but it always helps to have the party candidate in town,” he said.

Allan Hoffenblum, a Los Angeles Republican political consultant, agreed, saying if Dole can get Republican voters to the polls, those voters would very likely support other local Republican candidates.

“The more votes Dole gets, the better the chances are for local Republicans.”