ABORTION SPLITS STATE GOP; MODERATES DISMAYED BY LEADER'S REMARKS.

Byline: Terri Hardy Sacramento Bureau

John McGraw, a top state Republican Party leader who has found himself in the eye of political firestorm over abortion and the fate of his party, no longer wants to venture out to the driveway of his Bay Area home and pick up the newspaper.

``I'm afraid I'm going to see another story about me on the front page,'' said McGraw, heir apparent to the chairmanship of the state Republican Party and an anti-abortion advocate. ``I'm a pretty regular guy in the midst of this incredible uproar.''

The brouhaha began last month when McGraw told a Catholic newspaper in San Francisco that abortion is the ``issue of the century'' - angering GOP moderates who believe the party's right wing is hurting its chances.

McGraw's comments set up an intense political battle for control of the party at the state Republican convention that will begin today in Sacramento.

The 36-year-old father of four, successful entrepreneur and self-described ``software geek'' rose to power as a large campaign donor, and now serves as the state party's vice chairman.

In a normal year, he would be elevated to the top post of party chairman at the convention. But after heavy GOP losses in November, an organized campaign is under way to select different leaders when delegates vote Sunday.

McGraw, in an interview on the eve of today's gathering, said he is surprised by the reaction to his comments.

A devout Catholic, McGraw told San Francisco Faith in January that ``killing our babies'' is the ``issue of the century. Compared to that, cutting taxes or any other issue pales in comparison.''

His statements infuriated moderates like Bob Larkin, a Simi Valley businessman and vice chairman of the California Congress of Republicans.

``John McGraw said some real stupid things,'' he said. ``If we don't change and move to the center, we're going to continue to lose reasonable people.''

Larkin and a group of other moderates are defying convention and running two candidates of their own for chairman and vice chairman.

McGraw, supported by influential Republicans such as Secretary of State Bill Jones and state Insurance Commissioner Chuck Quackenbush, harbors no illusions that his beliefs will be embraced by all voters or that minds will be changed.

``Stopping abortion is obviously pretty important to me, but I know in my heart that it is not going to win one election,'' McGraw said.

Dan Schnur, a Republican political consultant, believes that McGraw's comments have been overblown. He notes that the key responsibilities of the chairman are fund raising and administration.

``John understands the difference between his own ideologies and his logistical responsibilities as party chairman,'' Schnur said. ``His job is not to make public policy but to make sure the train runs on time.''

The one thing all Republicans seem to agree on is that immediate changes are needed to keep the party healthy.

McGraw concedes that the GOP has lost touch with voters, and said his recent statements resulted in some people feeling alienated, especially women. The party was hurt by the impeachment trial, he added.

GOP leaders will have to develop an effective message about the party's mission and communicate, he said, and rebound as Democrats did in 1994.