Republicans scramble to find a big name to take on boxer.

JUST a few months ago, U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer looked like a shoe-in to win re-election as California's junior senator. But that was before the Republican victory in the recall election gave GOP leaders hope to defeat their liberal nemesis.

Trouble is, the field of three Republican candidates now seeking the nomination next March is widely considered to be weak. There's former U.S. Treasurer and Huntington Park Mayor Rosario Marin, former Small Business Administration official and Los Altos Mayor Toni Casey and--the most recent entrant--state Assemblyman Tony Strickland of Westlake Village.

None has wide name recognition and all would have difficulty matching Boxer's re-election war chest, which stands at over $4 million. That's why, with the deadline to take out papers less than a month away, Republican leaders are desperately searching for a well-known Republican with proven fundraising ability.

And that's where longtime Congressman David Dreier, R-San Dimas, comes in. Dreier, known as a prolific fundraiser during his 23 years in the House, has enhanced his visibility in recent months as an adviser to candidate Arnold Schwarzenegger and then as head of the new governor's transition team.

Many Republicans believe he's the party's best shot at defeating Boxer. Besides his fundraising prowess and high name identification, Dreier has a solid telegenic image, which might prove a favorable contrast with the sometimes-combative Boxer.

"Should he choose to run, Dreier would be heavily favored to win the Republican primary and would be well-positioned to challenge Boxer," said Republican political consultant Allan Hoffenblum.

While there is a movement afoot to draft Dreier, according to several news reports, and the congressman presumably would get Schwarzenegger's endorsement, The New York Times reported last week that he has said he is not interested in giving up his seniority in Congress.

If he were to ran, Dreier would have to give up his sale House seat and his longtime post as chair of the powerful House Rules Committee. That committee chairmanship puts Dreier squarely in the ranks of the House Republican leadership. Given the right set of political circumstances, it's conceivable that Dreier could emerge as Speaker of the House in the next five or 10 years.

"I actually don't think he will run, precisely because he has too much to lose," Hoffenblum said.

Although Dreier has pulled papers to run for re-election to the House, he has until Dec. 5 to decide whether to run for Senate.

Calls to Dreier's office were not returned.

There is still the possibility that one or two other big names might also enter. Former gubernatorial candidate Bill Simon and state Sen. Tom McClintock, R-Thousand Oaks, and even comedian Dennis Miller have all been mentioned as possible candidates.

Simon has made two failed statewide runs and has not expressed interest in running for Boxer's seat. McClintock took himself out of contention on Nov. 7 by endorsing Strickland. And Miller is a political neophyte whose many outrageous on-air statements would undoubtedly come back to haunt him.

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