Gardner brought out her notebook when Newsweek contributing editor Eleanor Clift, also a panel member on “The McLaughlin Group,” gave her assessment of the GOP presidential race.

Clift spoke at the National Order of Women Legislators’ annual conference. Gardner was most interested in what Clift, generally perceived as a liberal, had to say about Salisbury native Elizabeth Hanford Dole.

Clift reiterated what political pundits have been saying since Dole came in a strong third in the Iowa GOP Straw Poll Aug. 14: She expands the voter base for Republicans by bringing in people new to the Republican Party and, often, new to politics in general.

Clift said Dole also bridges a gender gap that has proved fatal to Republicans in the past two presidential elections and that alone should make her an appealing candidate.

Clift told the group of the now oft-repeated quote about Dole’s courting of women: “For Dole not to target women would be like Jesse Jackson not going to black churches.”

In reviewing some past political history, Clift recalled that Shirley Chisholm, a presidential candidate in 1972, said her biggest obstacle proved to be that she was a woman, not that she was black. Clift further noted that Democrat Geraldine Ferraro, the vice presidential nominee in 1984, never became the magnet for women voters that her party had hoped she would be.

Ferraro’s failure in that regard, Clift said, led to a hands-off policy on women for subsequent presidential elections. Dole seems to be changing that. With her Iowa showing, Dole has prompted some Democrats to begin looking at women running mates for either Al Gore or former Sen. Bill Bradley, according to Clift.

Iowa also proved, Clift told the women legislators, that the GOP race is a contest, not a coronation for Texas Gov. George W. Bush, who holds a strong lead in fund-raising, endorsements and polling.

Dole was the only presidential candidate to address the women legislators in person. Gore, Bradley and Bush sent videos, but Gardner said they probably made a mistake by staying away.

The conference attracted current and former legislators from across the nation, in addition to corporate and business people who represent many of the country’s “movers and shakers,” Gardner said. About 800 people registered for the conference.

Dole spoke to a Sunday breakfast gathering. Gardner was able to meet with her briefly and have her picture taken with the candidate, Rep. Julia Howard, D-Mocksville, and Howard’s granddaughter.

Rowan connection

Frederick Corriher, a recent graduate of Catawba College and son of Catawba College president Fred Corriher, is finance director for Ed Wilson, a Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor.

Corriher, accepted to Wake Forest University Law School, has postponed law school to work for Wilson, an Eden attorney.

Corriher also has served as political director for 8th District congressional candidate Mike Taylor of Stanly County and was a volunteer worker for U.S. Rep. Mel Watt and U.S. Senate candidate D.G. Martin.

Corriher is finance chairman for the Young Democrats of North Carolina, immediate past third vice chairman of Rowan Democrats and president of the Young Democrats of Rowan County.

Young candidate

Ed Wilson, 33, acknowledges that his youthful look sometimes raises the eyebrows of political veterans, but he quickly adds he’s about the same age as Bob Scott and Jim Hunt when they ran for lieutenant governor years ago.

Wilson believes it’s important for young people to be involved in politics. A former aide to U.S. Sen. Terry Sanford, Wilson has never held public office.

Wilson said he likes the breadth of the lieutenant governor’s office and its duties with the N.C. Senate, as a member of the Council of State and as a member of the Board of Community Colleges.

As lieutenant governor, Wilson said he would strengthen community colleges as part of his emphasis on education, the environment and campaign finance reform.

A lieutenant governor can use his or her office to focus attention on specific issues and make a difference in the state, Wilson said

A rematch in 2000?

Stanly County’s Mike Taylor, the 1998 Democratic nominee for the 8th District congressional seat, already has raised $123,000 toward a 2000 campaign.

Taylor started his new campaign three months ago, believing he can unseat Republican Robin Hayes, serving his first term in Bill Hefner’s old seat.

Taylor ran a close race in 1998, losing to Hayes 50.7 percent to 48.2 percent. Taylor has set a fund-raising goal of $1.2 million, about what Hayes spent in 1998.

Edwards visits

U.S. Sen. John Edwards will be in Cabarrus and Rowan counties this week.

He will be a guest at a Cabarrus Regional Chamber of Commerce reception at 1:45 p.m. Wednesday. Edwards also plans to visit Building 6 of the Hefner VA Medical Center at 3 p.m. Thursday.

Dole notes

Four S.C. politicians have joined Elizabeth Dole’s team in that early primary state. They include State Sen. Holly Cork, Lexington County Coroner Harry Harman, Greenville City Councilwoman nominee Deb Sofield and state Board of Education member Jim White.

Dole’s Maine leadership team includes former Congressman David Emery, former state GOP Chairman Kevin Keogh and businesswomen Jana Lapoint and Barbara Schneider.

With former Tenn. Gov. Lamar Alexander’s withdrawal from the GOP presidential race, Dole has picked up 26 former county leaders of Alexander’s in Iowa, the important early-caucus state.

Dole, former American Red Cross president, is one of 50 business leaders profiled in a new book, “Lessons from the Top.” The book credits Dole for overhauling the Red Cross’ blood supply program and conducting the largest Red Cross fund-raising campaign ever.