Wilson Plays to Receptive Crowd on Campaign Stop : Politics: The governor talks about crime and economic recovery but stays away from illegal immigration in speech to Asian-American leaders.

Treading a path certain to become even more worn as the November election approaches, Gov. Pete Wilson brought two of his three main campaign themes to Orange County Wednesday, speaking to an appreciative audience of Asian-American community leaders.

The governor, honored by the group for what several speakers called an unprecedented level of support for Asian Americans, touched on the issues of crime and economic recovery during brief remarks here. But he skirted an issue that has proven more sensitive among many immigrant groups--his tough stance on illegal immigration.

Wilson urged his audience of about 150 community leaders from across Southern California to voice their support for passage of the so-called “one-strike” legislation that would give first-time child molesters and some rapists sentences of 25 years to life. The bill, carried by state Sen. Marian Bergeson (R-Newport Beach), was passed by the Senate two weeks ago.

Turning to the question of the state’s still limping economy, Wilson said California “stands poised on the threshold of a recovery that will turn the world on its ear” and will be aided by its many cultural ties to the Pacific Rim nations in its effort to expand trade.

The governor also praised Asian Americans for their entrepreneurial spirit and what he called a “strong tradition of individual and family responsibility.”

But Wilson, who has seized recently on the increasingly open hostility many Californians feel toward illegal immigrants, did not mention his efforts in that arena. The governor has proposed a constitutional amendment to deny automatic citizenship to the children of illegal immigrants. He also has sued the federal government to recoup the money the state spends on health care and the incarceration of illegal immigrants.

In response to reporters’ questions later, Wilson said that many Asian Americans have expressed support for his position.

“Those who have played by the rules and gone through the process of becoming naturalized citizens . . . gone through the process of satisfying all the requirements, a great many of them not only express support for what we’re doing but have some of their own concerns,” he said.

And one member of his audience, Matthew Fong, the Republican candidate for state treasurer and a member of the State Board of Equalization, said the initial criticism of Wilson on the issue, including from some Asian-American groups, had been misplaced.

“There were fears from some that he was talking about broadening the scope of the question of illegal immigrants to include all immigrants,” Fong said, adding that most of those concerns have since been assuaged.