Politics complicates possible clemency for Crips co-founder.

Byline: Laura Kurtzman

SACRAMENTO, Calif. _ Despite the celebrity push to spare the life of Crips co-founder Stanley "Tookie" Williams, his fate may be sealed by political reality.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has called a private hearing next week to consider granting Williams clemency. But most political observers say that despite the governor's show of concern, he has little to gain and much to lose by preventing the Dec. 13 execution.

For all the support Williams has garnered as an anti-gang activist, he is still a convicted murderer in a state where two out of three voters support the death penalty. Williams, 51, was convicted of killing four people in 1981.

"There would be significant fallout if he granted clemency," said Kevin Spillane, a GOP consultant.

He said the political damage would extend from Schwarzenegger's Republican base, which has stuck with him through a …