Pringle the Pragmatic, or Pringle the Partisan? : GOP finally gets its speaker--but what sort will he be?

A long-awaited day dawned last week for Republicans in the state Assembly, one initially without surprises. The selection of Curt Pringle of Garden Grove as speaker, soon after he had assumed chairmanship of the newly empowered Rules Committee, was predictable. He had been maneuvering for the spot, and his elevation signaled the end of a rancorous period in the post-Willie Brown era. Even for Democrats, the prospect of a clear legislative agenda ahead is a clarifying moment. For Californians watching the Sacramento circus with disgust for the past year, there is cause for some relief.

Now after 25 years of Democratic control of the Assembly and 15 years of Brown, the new Republican leadership at last will have the chance to put its own imprint on government. But it comes after a year of confusion and petty deals that made politics, not legislating, king of the Assembly.

The GOP’s convulsions over Paul Horcher’s perceived betrayal in supporting Brown late in 1994, and last year’s floundering speakership of Doris Allen, followed by the brief tenure of Brian Setencich of Fresno, only stalled the Republicans’ moment. But they also contributed to the sense that government can’t get anything done.

What kind of speaker should Pringle be as he charts a new course? The best answer well may lie within the style, personality and political philosophy he has already exhibited during his time in Sacramento.

An ostensibly mellower Pringle, who returned to the Legislature after a hiatus from 1990 to 1992, is still a committed conservative capable of fierce partisanship in achieving political ends. The more mature qualities he has exhibited during his second stint in Sacramento include a capacity for hard work, skill in legislative maneuvering and, yes, the ability to take a pragmatic approach to legislation, even if it means working with the opposition. This was evident in the special session last summer when the Legislature sought ways to address the fiscal problems of Los Angeles and Orange counties.

Pringle has lived his political life on the edge of controversies, most notably a notorious episode in 1988 when Republicans dispatched uniformed guards to the polls in his district with signs saying noncitizens could not vote. After a lawsuit, Orange County Republicans had to pay $400,000 to Latino voters for the election-day intimidation. Pringle has denied any role in the incident. More recently, after playing a major part in the Allen recall, he acknowledged that an aide participated in gathering signatures for a Democratic candidate opposing Allen, but says he had nothing to do with alleged campaign irregularities now under investigation by the Orange County district attorney in the election of Allen’s successor.

Nobody--especially considering Assembly speakers past--expects the speaker to be a saint, but we expect that the Pringle who emerges in the months ahead will be the pragmatist and skilled legislator. This is especially important as the state tries to improve the business climate, deal with the budget and address other pressing matters.

As for the Republican legislative targets, government regulation, welfare reform and taxes will be among the priorities. Pringle would be wise to steer clear of divisive social issues like abortion in bringing the GOP program forward. With an animated pro in the speaker’s chair, this should be an interesting year in Sacramento.