Edwards visit says something

It was a coups d’etat of sorts.

Democratic vice-presidential candidate John Edwards barnstormed

into Newport Beach -- “the other America” -- bagged more than

$400,000, and after a less-than-15-minute speech, was headed for the

rest of nation to give more speeches on “two Americas” -- the haves

and the have-nots.

All the while, in the land of multimillion dollar homes and

yachts, where Republicans make up almost 50% of Orange County’s

voters, the world seemed off-kilter during Edwards’ visit to the

Balboa Bay Club on July 18.

The visit did not go without some protest. As Edwards spoke about

two Americas inside the Bay Club’s banquet room, filled with 350

guests, Bush-Cheney supporters rallied across the street, touting

their own vision of America.

A theme emerged.

As much as Edwards focuses on the America of the have-nots, it’s

got to be nice to have the America of the haves -- where the median

single-family home price is $1.5 million and people can afford to pay

$1,000 a plate to see a candidate speak for a few minutes -- at least

partially on your side.

That should say something to Republicans. With recent demographic

shifts producing Democratic Party leanings, Democrats can raise money

-- lots of it -- in a Republican universe. Is the Republican Party

losing its grip on the area? Four hundred thousand raised at the Bay

Club in one day might say something about that grip.

Ah, yes, only in America.