Republic disarray hindering attempts to widen appeal. (Politics).

THE California Republican Party is in desperate need of leadership that can broaden the party's narrow base while not turning off the party faithful. But looking at the two candidates on the ballot for this month's party leadership election shows how difficult -- if not impossible -- that job will be.

"You have a real family feud going on here," said GOP commentator Allan Hoffenblum.

In one corner is Bill Back, a conservative party activist looking to follow in the footsteps of outgoing chairman Shawn Steel. He has won the endorsement of the California Republican Assembly, one of the more conservative GOP groups.

But Back's campaign was dealt a serious setback after word surfaced in December of an e-mail he had circulated in 1999 containing a reference to an article that suggested the nation would have been better off had the South won the Civil War.

Back subsequently condemned the content of the article, but by then, the damage had already been done.

Back is being supported by Gerald Parsky, President Bush's point man in California who led an effort last year to provide a more moderate face to the party -- as well installing more professional leadership.

In the other corner is Duf Sundheim, an attorney from Silicon Valley and a political moderate looking to broaden the party's appeal.

Trouble is, Sundheim contributed $1,000 to the unsuccessful 2000 presidential campaign of Democrat Bill Bradley. Needless to say, he's taking heat from the party faithful.

But in case of strange bedfellows, the moderate Sundheim has won the support of the conservative Steel. The reason: Sundheim did not support Parsky's effort to professionalize the party and thereby lessen Steel's influence.

Staff reporter Howard Fine can be reached by phone at [phone], ext. 227, or by e-mail at [e-mail].