Edwards Returns to H'w'd Campaign Trail

Appearing upbeat and optimistic, John Edwards and his wife Elizabeth addressed a group of donors at a Friday evening fund-raiser at the Santa Monica home of Skip Brittenham and Heather Thomas.

The event came a day after the couple held a press conference to announce that Elizabeth Edwards' cancer had returned. With his wife's urging and blessing, John Edwards said he would continue to campaign.

One attendee said that the event had the feel of a "town hall meeting" rather than a cocktail reception and dinner, and that although the couple conveyed a positive attitude like they did in their Thursday press conference, they talked serious issues.

Introducing her husband, Elizabeth Edwards talked of meeting many people on the campaign trail and elsewhere who faced health crises like her own, but who lacked adequate health care and held minimum wage jobs to pay premiums. Speaking for about 45 minutes, John Edwards addressed topics ranging from global warming to how the U.S. is viewed in the world.

Among those present were Laurie David, Cindy Horn, Norman Lear, James L. Brooks, Nina Jacobson, Armyan Bernstein, Skip Paul and J.C. Spink. Edie Wasserman also was there, along with her daughter Lynne and granddaughter Carol Leif.

Rather than a big gala, like Hillary Clinton's event at the estate of Ron Burkle tonight, Edwards has been raising money in the industry at a series of medium-sized receptions. He did an event in January at Endeavor and attended a reception earlier this month at the home of Endeavor's Adam Venit.