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And, from the Orange County Register:

Sunday, July 18, 2004
Edwards finds converts in O.C.
Democratic running mate gets warm welcome in GOP territory.
By MARTIN WISCKOL
The Orange County Register
NEWPORT BEACH – When John Edwards brought his talk of optimism and unity to the heart of Republican country Saturday, it wasn't just Democratic stalwarts shelling out $1,000 each and praising John Kerry's running mate for bringing needed charisma to the ticket.
The Balboa Bay Club luncheon of 400 or so included new Democrats who'd never been to a political event before...
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...a handful of the president's supporters demonstrated at Saturday's event...
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About 20 demonstrators held signs supporting Bush outside the gated hotel resort.
"I support President Bush," said Francis Akhavi, an Iranian-American living in Corona del Mar who said he had two cousins killed in Iraq during Saddam Hussein's rule. "We're so happy he got Saddam and is fighting terrorism."
But Aitken said even the protesters reflected the Democrats' growing strength in the county, which has long been host to major GOP figures.
"This is a great day, when we can do this here in Newport Beach, with them protesting against us."
CONTACT US: (714) 285-2867 or mwisckol@ocregister.com