Presidential hopeful visits Pasadena

By Gary Scott, Staff Writer

PASADENA – After denouncing California’s recall election as a “circus” Saturday – making him the fifth Democratic presidential candidate to stand with recall target Gov. Gray Davis – Sen. John Edwards of North Carolina made a quick fund-raising swing through Pasadena Sunday morning before heading to Sacramento.

It was a cloistered affair, with only a dozen people making the official guest list. Recommended contribution: $2,000.

“I think he’s the best candidate to beat Bush, and I definitely want to do that,” said Thomas Girardi of Pasdena. The event was held at his daughter’s home, a Mediterranean-style home on South Hill Avenue near Caltech.

Edwards arrived shortly after 10 a.m. He started the morning taping an interview for Face the Nation and attended another fund-raiser in Pasadena.

“What I have to do is make sure people hear my message,” Edwards said, his voice sounding a little hoarse.

The presidential contender has been struggling in the polls as of late, some showing him trailing behind long shots Al Sharpton and Carol Mosley Braun, but he hopes to show Democratic voters he can win where the others can’t: the so-called “red states” that played a crucial role in handing George Bush the presidency in 2000.

“I believe I can compete against George Bush everywhere in America, Edwards said, whether it be an urban center or rural township.

The 50-year-old North Carolina native burst on to the political scene in 1998 by beating a popular Republican incumbent in a conservative state. He also made the short list to be Al Gore’s vice presidential nominee.

Edwards says he is running for president as a champion of the working class. His platform includes cutting corporate subsidies, increasing taxes on the wealthy and expanding health care insurance for kids.

“If he stays true to his plan and he can communicate the message, I think he is going to be an unbeatable candidate,” said Claremont businessman Bob Bowcock. A registered Republican who voted for Bush, Bowcock says the GOP has been hijacked by “right-wing radicals” and wants to see a centrist in the White House.

As the dozen or so supporters munched corn fritters and sipped red wine, Edwards answered questions about his campaign. He said his top priorities are “jobs, health care and the situation in Iraq.”

Consultant Susan Sipe of Pasadena coordinated the event. She said she was tapped because most of her clients are attorneys.

The legal profession has been good to Edwards. Not only did he make his fortune as a personal injury attorney, but more than half of the $12 million he’s raised for his campaign comes from trial lawyers.

Girardi called them Edwards’ “natural constituency,”since the candidate is fighting against corporate special interests. Girardi represented the people of Hinkley, Calif. In their suit against Pacific Gas & Electric, a trial made famous in the “Erin Brokovich” movie.

Girardi said the other Democrats vying for the presidency lack the backbone to take on Bush.

“It’s stupid to say I’ll be an anti-war person to win the primary and then show strength to win the election,” he said, a clear reference to front-runner Howard Dean.

Dean has built a strong grass-roots network in the East San Gabriel Valley and is probably the most popular candidate among local party activists, according to Karen Wingard, regional director for the California Democratic Party.

“Of late, there has been a swell of excitement about General (Wesley) Clark,” Wingard added.

Clark stole some of Edwards’ thunder last week when it was leaked that he would run for president on the same day Edwards was announcing his candidacy.

Pasadena Star News, September 22, 2003