Professionals Form Group to Back Clinton

In yet another blow to what is known as a bastion of Republicanism, a group of Orange County business people on Wednesday announced the formation of a new organization, Professionals for Clinton.

Though the organization of about 20 members has a majority of Democrats, its claims about 40% are lifelong Republicans.

“I don’t believe that George Bush recognized that there was an economic problem until relatively late in his presidency,” said Doug Landrum, an Irvine attorney and lifelong Republican, who was among those announcing their membership in the new group at a press conference.

“Bush’s economic strategy is vague and seems to have no substance. I believe it’s time to turn the reins of government over to a younger generation,” Landrum said.

Consisting of attorneys, doctors and small business owners, group spokesmen said that many staunch Republicans are increasingly in favor of the Clinton-Gore ticket because Bush had not made much progress toward improving the economy. Conversely, they see Clinton as a progressive thinker with a definite economic strategy. “We are concerned about the state of the economy in Orange County,” said Jim Sugarman, an El Toro business owner who said he usually votes for Republican candidates. “Bush has no economic strategy, no economic leadership and no economic vision.”

The organization’s immediate objective is to get Bill Clinton elected by forming a network of Orange County business people who support the Clinton campaign.

However, the organization is not necessarily looking for a short-term fix, said Jim Kamman, a Newport Beach attorney and coordinator of the organization. “We want to form a lasting coalition of professionals in Orange County who will work to expand the economy and create jobs,” Kamman said.