
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, July 2, 1995                   TAG: 9506300118
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: F-2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

PAC ON TRIAL

LEAVING ASIDE the merits of Roanoke Vice Mayor John Edwards' candidacy for state senate, most objective observers would have to agree with incumbent Brandon Bell's assertion that trial lawyers are more than adequately represented in the Virginia General Assembly.

While he was denouncing trial lawyers in general as "greedy," and blasting Edwards in particular for accepting their financial support, Bell last week found himself in the embarrassing position of trying to return a $500 contribution that the Virginia Trial Lawyers Association had made to his campaign in 1991.

The bigger hoot, though, was the trial lawyers' response. Feelings have been hurt, according to Michael Blachman, chairman of their association's political action committee. The lawyers are especially disturbed, he said, at Bell's suggestion that the PAC expected something in return for the gift.

Sue us if you like, but we think anyone who believes that PACs expect no returns on their investments are in need of more than a good lawyer.

by CNB