The ‘New Majority’: a New Minority

* Arts booster-turned-political activist Mark Chapin Johnson wrote last Sunday that his New Majority Committee didn’t really get “clobbered” and suffer “a crushing defeat” in the March 7 election--his words, not mine.

It’s odd how some folks reject the results of American democracy.

In an attempt to put a good spin on what was an overwhelming rejection by local Republican voters, Johnson now wants to take credit for defeating two conservative candidates for the Assembly. The fact is Johnson and his cohorts declared themselves uninvolved in the Assembly races before the election. But, actually, fellow members of the New Majority Committee were active contributors to the conservative candidates whom Johnson now claims to have had a hand in defeating. Mark, you can’t have your cake and eat it too.

Let’s look at the facts. Despite a wasted half-million-dollar campaign, Johnson and his allies, led by “Republicans for Clinton” stalwart Ronald Shenkman, lost seats on our local Republican Central Committee. Responding to the insurgency by the misled liberal multimillionaires, the Unity 2000 team of conservatives volunteer activists won 35 of the 42 seats. The New Majority created a new minority.

The New Majority’s first purpose in organizing was to reverse the Republican Party’s support of the two-thirds-vote requirement to pass bond issues and raise property taxes. The plan was hatched at the Irvine Co.

When Larry Higby, a former Los Angeles Times Orange County edition president, joined Performing Arts Center fund-raisers Johnson and Thomas Tucker, the intent was to gather money from local wealthy folks who want to change the GOP’s conservative stance on the issues. They obtained funds from non-Republicans and non-Orange Countians, too.

The primary election is behind us. I genuinely hope that good liberals like Johnson, Tucker and Higby indeed will participate in the GOP, support Republican candidates and contribute to the success of our party’s cause in the November general election.

They may not agree with our soon-to-be national nominee Gov. George W. Bush on all of his stated positions, but, as loyal Republicans, they surely know that the Clinton-Gore era must come to an end for a better America. Our children and grandchildren deserve better. We welcome their support.

There is plenty of room in the big tent of the Republican Party for both rich men and working people to be active. There is plenty of room under the GOP banner for conservatives, moderates and liberals if we all seek honesty, truth and victory for the party of Lincoln and Reagan. We sincerely invite one and all to join us.

THOMAS A. FUENTES

Chairman, Republican Party

of Orange County