Munger, Stanford physicist and GOP donor, seeks to moderate California

This is an amazing change of GOP politics. Finally, some republicans want to moderate it's politics to reduce the domination of the strong religious right and Tea Party. As usual, it starts in California. Will it spread? ---BBB

September 15, 2011
Munger, Stanford physicist and GOP donor, seeks to moderate California By Torey Van Oot | McClatchy Newspapers

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Charles T. Munger Jr. isn't your run-of-the-mill Republican donor.

The wealthy Stanford physicist is gaining prominence in California's Republican Party, now constantly in search of money needed to win in blue California. But Munger's involvement in the state GOP goes beyond writing checks.

His influence will be on display this weekend as California Republicans begin discussing a Munger-inspired platform that downplays traditional GOP positions on gun rights, abortion and same-sex marriage.

The bowtie-wearing Republican has spent recent months shepherding a behind-the-scenes effort to adopt a more moderate California Republican Party platform.

The combination of his deep resources and reputation as a "details guy" willing to delve into the nitty gritty of internal party politics has bolstered his influence at a pivotal time of rebuilding after the party's 2010 losses, friends and associates say.

"Not only has he put his money where his mouth is, he puts his time and energy into it as well," GOP consultant Rob Stutzman said. "... He's more than a donor - he's an activist and he's had a huge impact because he's combined his activism with his ability to contribute money to his causes."

Munger, whose father is the vice chairman of Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway, poured millions into two successful ballot initiatives that changed how California's political maps are drawn.

The latest political foray for the unassuming and analytical scientist-turned-activist could affect the future of the state GOP.

"He wants the party to be seen as mainstream and have the ability to elect candidates who have the potential to be elected statewide," said political consultant Jeff Randle.

The proposed platform, expected to come up for a full vote in the spring, has upset conservatives who say it strays from the party's core principles. The proposal emphasizes economic issues, adding language in support of agriculture and fighting regulations while cutting out detail in sections on abortion, gun rights and same-sex marriage.

Mike Spence, former president of the conservative California Republican Assembly, assailed the proposal as an effort to "make the GOP the Democrat Party light," saying Munger "lacks an understanding of what motivates people to be Republican."

"No one's ever walked a precinct because of above-ground water storage issues. Core issues are what motivates our base and our volunteers," Spence said.

Political consultants and GOP insiders are quick to point out that battles over the platform language between dueling factions of the party are nothing new.

The difference this time, however, is the presence of a wealthy benefactor who has the interest and ability to get involved in the inner workings and long-term strategy of the party.

Insiders say Munger launched a well-organized, well-funded campaign to stack the platform drafting committee with supporters of his efforts, giving like-minded delegates an edge in a mail-ballot election among committee members. At least one mail piece was sent to GOP delegates touting the draft platform ahead of this weekend's convention.

Supporters say the moves are in the best interest of the party and praise Munger's work as a key step toward electing more Republicans statewide. Others question the positions those Republicans might take.

"I think that Munger's interests are in Republican majorities, for that I applaud him," said conservative blogger Jon Fleischman. "The problem is, by the time we get to Munger's version of a majority, we won't have a Republican Party that will actually shrink government."

Munger's rise as a political power player has been fairly recent.

The 54-year-old Palo Alto resident, who works at the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center, signed on as a volunteer to former state Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner's failed Assembly bid in 2004. The next year, he ponied up six figures for Proposition 77, a failed redistricting initiative pushed by former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Though both Munger and his wife, Mandy Lowell, a retired attorney, have been active in education policy, redistricting reform has become Munger's top cause.

He and Lowell together spent more than $26 million on Propositions 11 and 20, which created and granted map-drawing authority to an independent Citizens Redistricting Commission. Associates again say Munger's involvement went far beyond providing money.

California Common Cause Executive Director Kathay Feng, whose group sponsored both measures, said Munger "spent many weeks asking very technical policy questions" before committing to Proposition 11.

"I think he really does approach a lot of questions with a real scientist's attention to detail," Feng said.

Munger has cast his commitment to the line-drawing cause as a way to influence more than a handful of races in any given cycle and give minority groups greater say in the political process.

"I would've been very welcome in Republican circles if I decided to go chuck $10 million in a bunch of races up and down the state to fight for Republican control of Congress," Munger told The Bay Citizen last year. "It isn't a worthy ambition compared to doing this."

That ethos has put him at odds with others in the party on redistricting as well. While Munger has praised the commission's work, a GOP-backed coalition is seeking to undo new Senate and congressional lines thought to put Republicans at a disadvantage in next year's elections.

Munger's allies say he's determined to continue putting time and money into his long-term vision for the party. Realizing that goal could be a long - and expensive - haul.

"If he wants to plan a decades-long civil war," said Fleischman, "he's young and he's rich. He can do that."

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