New Majority membership, warchest on the upswing, in the Insider column

Tom Tucker’s reputation as a quick study is carrying into politics. Angel investor Tucker (JenStar Capital) is the driving force behind the executive-led, socially moderate New Majority, which made some rookie mistakes in forcing and losing a leadership battle with local GOP chairman Tom Fuentes earlier this year. But the group continues to grow its membership, surpassing the initial goal of 100 and nearing 130. With annual dues of $10,000, that gives the NM $1 million to spend on Republicans in this election. And now the NM is scoring political points by reaching out to party regulars and writing checks in a couple of swing Assembly districts; incumbent conservative Ken Maddox of Garden Grove in the 68th and hopeful Dennis Yates in the Inland Empire’s 61st have received $10,000 each with the possibility of more to follow. The two Toms have even gotten together for lunch. “We’ve been very supportive of his get-out-the-vote effort,” Tucker said of Fuentes. “If we’re registering them he has to get them out. We want him to be successful.” Asked about the future of the local party chairmanship, Tucker tactfully responded, “I don’t have a position on it right now.” Tucker spoke enthusiastically of the NM: “We’re meeting with pragmatic conservatives, building coalitions across the state. We’ve formed an excellent relationship with (state GOP Senate leader) Jim Brulte and we met with (state GOP Assembly leader) Scott Baugh three weeks ago.” The NM was key in last month’s fundraiser at the Newport Beach mansion of home fixtures-maker Ronald Simon that featured and raised $1 million for George W. Bush. Now, the Insider has learned, the NM is part of another Bush fundraiser set for this week at Donald Bren’s place. Even though Bush isn’t scheduled to attend, the cost of admission is the same, $25,000. Tucker said NM has been approached about setting up chapters in Silicon Valley, San Diego and LA: “This thing is going to go statewide. We’re going to be a very important part of the Republican Party. The Democrats have organized the unions and the trial lawyers. Business needs to be organized and we think we have a business model to do that” What a coincidence: Netscape pioneers Jim Barksdale and Jim Clark made separate, simultaneous appearances in OC last week. Henry Samueli, Paul Folino, David Hanna and Tom Tucker slipped out of the Barksdale event at the Center Club to catch the prez debate on TV.