John Edwards Look-a-Like Says We Need Him
08/24/04 - RALEIGH By Don Ross

Raleigh is his hometown. He's a man of humble beginnings. First in his family to go to college. A Carolina grad. A guy-- with a great head of hair.

It was comedian Frank King trying-out his John Edward's impersonation on the campus of Edward's alma mater: NC State.

"During the primary season, about once a week, I'd get an e-mail from a comic who'd been to my website: 'Dude, do you know how much you look like John Edwards'."

A Seattle resident now, the Raleigh native teamed-up with a Los Angeles make-up artist to add a little to chin, cheeks and nose... blue contacts... and a lip mole.

King is skinnier than Edwards... green-eyed... three years younger-- and hopes his fellow-Carolinian is flattered by the imitation.

"All the stuff I do is sort of good natured ribbing... self deprecating... nothing that would embarrass him... nothing his children couldn't hear."

On the Kerry-Edwards toughest decision their first 100 days in office: "Finding a physician to be Surgeon General that I haven't sued."

On State student's interest in current affairs: "What ever happened to apathy."

On the political opposition wanting a piece of you when run for office: "I think Dick Cheney would like to have my heart."

Advising a student to switch majors to pre-Law: "Pays better than engineering you know that don't you?"

He has three possible Edwards gigs lined-up so far-- including The Tonight Show: "The Tonight Show has turned me down six times as myself so there's a good chance they'll take me on as Edwards... which is kind of odd. It's like saying 'Yes, Frank, it was personal'."

Undecided politically, King says he plans to vote for one of the rich guys that's running.

But if this bit works-out-- he's all for Edwards as a two term VP and the two term president. "We're talking 16 years. That's a 401k."

Frank King will be performing at Charlie Goodnight's Comedy Club in Raleigh as either himself or John Edwards or both in December.