Gov. Spurns Bush in Spat Over Money

Long-simmering tensions between Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and President Bush burst into the open Wednesday as the two Republicans clashed over that most basic of political necessities: money.

The governor and president rely on many of the same rich Californians for campaign cash. Yet even in California, a gold mine for politicians, there’s only so much to go around, as Schwarzenegger bluntly pointed out Wednesday in Anaheim.

Campaigning for his four initiatives on the Nov. 8 ballot, Schwarzenegger made clear he was miffed that Bush planned to collect $1 million for the Republican National Committee tonight at a dinner for 100 couples at a home in the Beverly Hills area.

“We would have appreciated if he would have done his fundraising after the Nov. 8 election, because you know we need now all the money in the world,” Schwarzenegger said. “We want to make sure that we win, that we can have our TV spots out there on television, which is very important.”

Responding to questions about Bush’s visit, Schwarzenegger stressed his “good working relationship” with the president. But he rejected Bush’s invitation to join him Friday morning near Simi Valley to dedicate the new Air Force One exhibit at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library. Schwarzenegger said he could not attend because he and his staff were “very busy in our campaigning up and down the state.”

A spokesman, however, offered another explanation. Rob Stutzman, communications director of Schwarzenegger’s campaign, said the governor needed to honor his “long-standing commitment” to attend a board meeting of After-School All-Stars, a youth program he founded, Friday in Los Angeles.

This week represents a repeat spurning: On Bush’s last trip to California in August, Schwarzenegger also declined to see the president. White House spokesman Ken Lisaius declined to respond to Schwarzenegger’s comments on fundraising but said Bush “looks forward to working with him on matters of mutual concern in the future.”

“The president shares the governor’s sentiment that the two enjoy a positive and good working relationship with one another,” Lisaius said.

Tracey Schmitt, a Republican National Committee spokeswoman, said GOP leaders in Washington recognize the “various goals” of the state and national party organizations.

“However,” she added, “this is the date that worked from a scheduling perspective.”

For Schwarzenegger, Bush’s refusal to delay his trip was particularly irksome because the governor had put himself out for Bush in the tight 2004 presidential contest. He spoke at the Republican National Convention in New York and campaigned for Bush again in the last days of the campaign in Ohio, where victory would ensure the president’s reelection. Both appearances are seen in California as having punctured the governor’s nonpartisan appeal and contributed to his falling job approval ratings.

At this point, Schwarzenegger’s chill toward the president carries a political upside for the governor. Bush has long been highly unpopular among California voters, particularly among the Democrats and independents whose support Schwarzenegger must regain to carry his ballot measures to victory.

The governor has been struggling for months to raise money for the fall campaign. Hobbled in part by the fast pace of his spending on campaign consultants, he has fallen millions of dollars short of what organized labor is pouring into its battle to defeat his election agenda. The governor held a fundraiser Wednesday night at Mission Inn in Riverside and plans to collect more money in the days ahead at events in Fresno, San Diego, Los Angeles, Sacramento, Atherton and Orange County.

Stutzman said the governor’s staff recognized that it was tough to change the president’s schedule, but “we do think our concerns were voiced early enough that there could have been accommodation.”

“We’re disappointed they came in to raise money two and a half weeks before the election,” Stutzman said.

California Republican Party spokeswoman Karen Hanretty was more confrontational toward the White House in comments Tuesday to the Associated Press.

“Unless President Bush is coming to California to hand over a check from the federal government to help us with the financial challenges we face, the visit seems ill-timed,” she was quoted as saying.

Apparently seeking to smooth the waters, state GOP Chairman Duf Sundheim released a statement Wednesday that was more in keeping with party protocol, calling Bush “a leader in the tradition of former President Ronald Reagan.”

“We are pleased that he is visiting our great state,” Sundheim said, “as his presence here will benefit all Republicans.”

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Times staff writer Robert Salladay contributed to this report.