NOMINATION SEEN AS STEP FORWARD FOR HISPANICS.

Byline: Rick Orlov Staff Writer

President George W. Bush's nomination of Alberto Gonzales for attorney general - a post that would make him the highest-ranking Latino Cabinet member in the nation's history - got a warm reception Wednesday from many local Hispanic leaders despite their political differences.

Although Gonzales, 49, a White House attorney and presidential confidant, is regarded as very conservative, his nomination was seen as marking a significant step forward for Latinos.

``Regardless of his politics, we all have to welcome something like this as an opportunity,'' said City Councilman Antonio Villaraigosa. ``What this says to Latinos is there is opportunity to advance in this country, that nothing can hold you back.''

Fernando Guerra, director of the Institute for the Study of Los Angeles at Loyola Marymount, said the significance goes beyond the appointment of one person.

``I have been telling people the most important person in Washington for us is Alberto Gonzales. This is an important symbol to have a Latino as the top law enforcement officer in the nation. And, for President Bush, it has to be considered a win-win situation.''

Guerra said he believes there will be little opposition in Congress to his appointment, with Gonzales, a former Texas Supreme Court judge, viewed as somewhat more moderate than Attorney General John Ashcroft.

If there is a downside, Guerra said, it is that Gonzales' position in the presidential Cabinet could preclude his nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court, as has been suggested.

``The nature of the job as attorney general will generate so much controversy that he might not be able to go to the Supreme Court if there was a vacancy.''

Republicans said the nomination is significant because the GOP has seen devastating losses of its Latino voter base in the past eight years - particularly in California, where former Gov. Pete Wilson alienated many Hispanics with his support for Proposition 187.

``This, overnight, helps the party on all sorts of fronts, and it's something we've needed in California since Proposition 187,'' said GOP consultant Allan Hoffenblum. ``Since then, no Republican has been able to get more than 9 percent of the Latino vote.

``Gonzales will become a household name among Latinos immediately and it serves to underscore the outreach Bush has made both as governor of Texas and as president.''

Councilman Tony Cardenas, a Democrat, acknowledged the potential political impact of Gonzales' nomination.

``While this is good news for the Latino community to see someone in this high a job, it also sends a political message to all of us. You can never take the politics out of it.''

Council President Alex Padilla also was cautious in viewing Gonzales' appointment.

``We have to have some concerns about what his policies will be. The appointment is one thing, it's the policies that will affect us most.''

Hector Barreto Jr., formerly of Glendale, who was nominated by Bush in 2001 to head the Small Business Administration, praised the selection of Gonzales.

``Today, President Bush made an historic appointment in nominating Alberto Gonzales to be the first Hispanic attorney general. Judge Gonzales is very qualified and upon being confirmed will make a superb attorney general.''

In Los Angeles, the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials issued a statement commending Gonzales' nomination.

``His appointment by President Bush is a testament to the contributions and the political influence Latinos hold in the United States and is a reflection of Latinos as a permanent part of the nation's political landscape,'' Executive Director Arturo Vargas said.

Staff Writer Lisa Friedman contributed to this report.

Rick Orlov, [phone] rick.orlov(at)dailynews.com