A Low-Wattage Inaugural Fete

As Californians nibbled Mexican quiche and sipped Napa Valley wine at the state’s inaugural reception Friday night, electricity was not exactly in the air--but it was certainly on the lips.

At the National Museum of American History, a sedate crowd of California Republicans celebrated their party’s return to power amid exhibits of White House presidential china and former first lady inaugural gowns. But frequently the cocktail conversations drifted from comments about the incoming president in Washington to quips about the rolling blackouts back home.

“It’s the topic of conversation,” said California Secretary of State Bill Jones, the state’s highest-ranking Republican elected official. “Nobody can figure out how California ended up in this situation.”

Combined with the fact that California voted overwhelmingly for Al Gore, the state’s energy crisis put a damper on the celebratory mood of many in the California delegation at this year’s inauguration. “There’s excitement this time, but not the euphoria we’ve seen before,” said an aide to one Republican congressman from California.

Several political and business leaders missed the festivities entirely. Those who arrived in Washington often found themselves the target of jokes and ribbing about the state’s energy problems.

But for those Californians who did join in the inaugural festivities, the weekend was more about networking than partying. “We’re trying to get our hands into the pockets of the new administration for Los Angeles,” said Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan.

He flew to the capital with businessman Eli Broad, and the two hosted a dinner Saturday night honoring Roderick Paige, Bush’s secretary of Education. The mayor also met with Bush’s Transportation secretary nominee, Norman Y. Mineta, to talk about increased federal funds for Los Angeles freeways and bus lanes.

Secretary of State Jones said he used a chance encounter with Spencer Abraham, Bush’s Energy secretary, to set up meetings later this week with administration officials to discuss the state’s problems.

Asked whether Bush’s decision last week to stay out of California’s energy crisis had created tension, Riordan said he had received a warm reception from the Bush team. “We’re big boys in California,” said the Republican mayor. “We can do things on our own.”

For California Democrats, the mood was somber. “It’s not as festive as the past two inaugurations, for obvious reasons,” said Broad, a Democrat who came to Washington to lobby for increased spending for education and schools.

But Democrats put on their game faces. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, the state’s senior Democratic senator, got into the celebration, hosting a dinner for about 20 California mayors, but was expected to skip the state’s black-tie ball.

Generally, California seemed to have a lower profile in the inaugural celebration than it did four years ago.

“We’re not up there like we were last time,” said Riordan. “Last time, we had our own inaugural ball. Now we’re sharing a ball with several other states.” (California’s official inaugural ball Saturday night at the Ronald Reagan building in downtown Washington, was co-sponsored with Arizona, Kentucky and five other states.)

Former California Atty. Gen. Dan Lungren said that nothing could compare with the state’s enthusiasm in 1980, when Californians overran the capital to help bring Ronald Reagan into office. “It’s not about California this time,” Lungren said. “It’s about Texas.”

Several notable state leaders decided to stay home. Democratic Gov. Gray Davis and state Senate Republican Leader Jim Brulte both had hoped to attend but could not break away because of the state’s electricity crisis. Former Gov. Pete Wilson skipped the celebration. So did Peter Ueberroth, former commissioner of major-league baseball. Rep. Mary Bono of Palm Springs was scheduled to host an event for some Hollywood celebrities but decided to stay home with her children.

“I haven’t seen too many of our state legislators in town,” said Stuart DeVeaux, spokesman for the California Republican Party. “Because of the problems in California, a lot stayed home.”

Carly Fiorina, chief executive at Palo Alto-based Hewlett-Packard and a Bush supporter, had to cancel her inauguration plans at the last minute because of the death of the company’s co-founder William Hewlett, whose memorial service was Saturday.

But there were still plenty of well-known California faces in town, including Cisco Systems Chairman John Chambers, Occidental Petroleum Chairman Ray Irani and Orange County developer Don Bren.

The Hollywood set was scarcer. Actor Arnold Schwarzenegger, an enthusiastic Republican, could not break away from filming his new movie. But actress Bo Derek made the rounds, as did actors Tom Arnold and William Baldwin.

The cold, wet weather cut into the enjoyment for many Californians, some of whom opted instead to watch the swearing in on television at their hotels. April Cunningham, daughter of Rep. Randy “Duke” Cunningham (R-San Diego), braved the cold, arriving more than two hours early to get a good spot to view the ceremony.

The recent hospitalization of Reagan, who fell and broke a hip earlier this month, was also on the minds of California Republicans. “Everybody’s asking about Reagan,” said Suzanne Marx of Century City, who helped raise funds for Reagan in the 1980s. “He is so admired.”

But Marx, who was hopping from event to event during her first inauguration, said the overall mood remained high. “The whole city just seems to be buzzing,” she said.