REPUBLICAN DELEGATES MEET IN L.A. GOP LEADERS WILL SPEAK.

Byline: Rick Orlov Staff Writer

An energized California Republican Party, boosted by the recall campaign against Democratic Gov. Gray Davis and the star-power candidacy of actor Arnold Schwarzenegger, meets today with the question of its unity at stake.

Schwarzenegger and Sen. Tom McClintock, R-Thousand Oaks, who has been moving up in public opinion polls, will address the 1,500 delegates meeting at the LAX Marriott Hotel, as much to buffer each other as to seek support.

``I'm hoping we see a coalescing around the candidates,'' said Shawn Steel, immediate past president of the group. ``To do that, Arnold needs to hit several home runs and offer substance to the conservatives. McClintock is at the peak of his game and has strong support here.''

``But the fear we all have is that if we come out of this weekend divided and do not unite, we will see (Democratic Lt. Gov. Cruz) Bustamante elected,'' Steel said. ``That is the threat and problem we face.''

The new enthusiasm among Republicans is evidenced by the number of delegates - an estimated 1,500 - who have responded to attend the routine session. Also the media attention. More than 230 news media credentials - compared with the normal two dozen - have been issued.

The party, which lost badly in California in recent years and has no statewide officeholder, is divided between the two candidates in a classic split, with conservatives backing McClintock while moderates support Schwarzenegger.

McClintock has been dogged over the past two weeks by the question of whether he should withdraw from the race and concede it to Schwarzenegger - a move he has continued to resist.

With the most recent independent polls moving him up to 18 percent - only seven points behind Schwarzenegger - McClintock has been arguing there is wide support for his candidacy, and he has pressed the actor to a one-on-one debate.

A version of that did occur on Sacramento radio station KSTE-AM (650), where the hosts of ``Armstrong and Getty'' arranged a surprise call from McClintock to Schwarzenegger.

``We've got a Republican convention coming up this weekend, you and I are the two Republican candidates now left in the race, why don't we get together and discuss the major issues of this campaign?'' McClintock asked.

Schwarzenegger offered some compliments to McClintock but demurred on the debate challenge.

``I'm more than happy to get together with you any time to discuss any of those things and, you know, as I said in all my interviews when I'm asked about you that I respect you, I think you're smart, we share some of the same philosophies and opinions and I'm more than happy to get together with you any time,'' Schwarzenegger said.

``The most important (thing) that what we have to do is, we have to win this election,'' he said.

Republican Party spokesman Mike Wintemute said he doesn't expect to see the party choose between the two but that the natural progression of politics will play out.

``If you look at history, and in this case it's the last five weeks - candidates are dropping out on their own,'' Wintemute said. ``Whether it's Darrell Issa, Bill Simon or Peter Ueberroth, they decided to drop out of the campaign.''

At some point, he said he expected Schwarzenegger and McClintock to sit down and talk about who would stand the best chance of winning if Davis is recalled.

But, he said, party leaders will not play a role unless asked.

``We are looking now at what the party role should be,'' Wintemute said. ``Right now, we're in a good position. We have an unpopular governor who looks like he'll be recalled and a lieutenant governor who gets support from only one-third of the people.

``We have two candidates who, together, get nearly 40 percent of the vote.''

Wintemute also downplayed differences within the party among conservatives and moderates.

``The same could be said of Democrats,'' Wintemute said. ``When it comes time to vote, this party will be united.''

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Rick Orlov, [phone]

rick.orlov(at)dailynews.com