Edwards sees hope in Salt Lake

"We don't get a chance to donate to Democratic candidates, we never get a chance to see them," said Stacy Holcomb. "It's a good opportunity for me. I would come if it was Hillary or Barack."

Former Utah congressman Bill Orton said he supports all of his party's candidates but especially likes Edwards. "He reminds me a bit of John Kennedy, and John Kennedy won the state of Utah in the 1960 election.... I think John Edwards could win it again."

One of the highest-ranking Democratic elected officials in the state, Salt Lake County Mayor Peter Corroon said he was glad to see Edwards here even though he supports New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson for the party's nomination.

"Usually, Utah is a flyover state," Corroon said. "Any Democrat who's willing to come here, I'm glad to have them."

Already, Edwards' success at raising money during a visit expected to last less than three hours has prompted at least one other Democratic contender for the White House to commit to coming — Richardson.

Richardson will headline the Utah Democrats' biggest fund-raising event of the year, the annual Jefferson-Jackson dinner on July 13, and may also speak at the party's state convention the next day, Utah Democratic Party Chairman Wayne Holland said.

Holland, who rode from the airport with Edwards, said he talked about the importance of the Rocky Mountain states in the campaign and that Salt Lake County is largely Democratic just as are other urban centers in the region.

"The Democratic Party is certainly seeing those eight Rocky Mountain states as a potential counter to the Southern block we see for the GOP," Holland said, noting the national party will hold its election-year convention in Denver.

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