Hailing hopefuls

If the 2008 presidential race were a fancy dress ball, Orange County GOP donors and elected officials would all be invited, but when the night ends they might not be with the date who brought them.

The election is more than a year and a half away, but Newport-Mesa magnates like Irvine Co. chairman Don Bren and political leaders like Assemblyman Van Tran are choosing sides — both of them are for Arizona Sen. John McCain, by the way.

Why are they choosing so early? Some said it’s because the field is wide open, with no clear leader. While polls show former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani in front, some local Republicans don’t think he has the mojo to get the party nomination.

Also, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Thursday signed a bill that moves California’s presidential primary from June to February, which is expected to give the state’s pick more influence.

A new twist is that the candidates appear to be seeking support from lower in the Republican ranks. For example, three Newport Beach City Council members and one from Costa Mesa will serve on the host committee for former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney’s fundraiser today in Dana Point.

During President Bush’s reelection campaign in 2004, he went after Republican legislators in Sacramento, said Newport Beach political consultant Dave Ellis, but “I’ve never seen them delve this deep down to the local-elected-officials level.”

Newport Councilman Keith Curry said he’s backing Romney based on a personal meeting, his record as governor, and because “I think he’s got the capacity to unite the Republican party in a way maybe the other candidates don’t have.”

Curry is an honorary Romney event host along with council colleagues Leslie Daigle and Michael Henn and Costa Mesa Councilwoman Wendy Leece.

Not everyone is putting all their money on one horse, though. Henn said he likes Romney so far, but, “Obviously it’s along way to go to the nomination and the election, and we’ll have to see how things unfold.”

Buck Johns, a Newport Beach businessman and big GOP donor, said he’s given to candidates. On Thursday he held a reception for former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, a personal friend, and he’s a host for Romney’s dinner today too.

If Johns appears indecisive, it’s because he expects the field of candidates to change. “Clearly there is not the front runner that we’ve historically had in the Republican party,” he said. “I do expect Newt [Gingrich] to get in the race. [Former Virginia Gov.] Jim Gilmore called me yesterday…. It’s pretty much in a state of flux right now.”

So local leaders may shake hands or have dinner with whichever candidate is passing through town, but don’t expect them to give up their vote easily.

“It’s really just too early,” UC Irvine political scientist Louis De Sipio said. “My suspicion is until the fall, it doesn’t really mean a lot.”