Edwards' Feb. 5 ad buy

Posted: Monday, January 28, 2008 3:01 PM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: Ads

From NBC's Victoria Riess
In a confrence call today, the Edwards campaign announced an "aggressive media buy" in ten states over the next 48 hours, which it plans to expand as February 5th approaches. According to the campaign, the ad buys will give the public more exposure to Edwards' message and help him win support because, "as we saw in South Carolina, once people have a chance to hear directly from John Edwards, the numbers move."

The campaign added that fundraising is booming, totalling almost $4 million dollars even before Federal Matching Funds took effect. The campaign noted that the most significant trend in an increase in fundraising came from long-time online supporters who made first-time contributions.

The campaign is confident going into the race for delegates on Feb 5th, citing several states in which Edwards has strong support and backing (AL, CA, ID, GA, MA, MN, MO, NM, ND, OK, TN).

EMAIL THIS

Comments

What's he smoking dept.

"The campaign is confident going into the race for delegates on Feb 5th, citing several states in which Edwards has strong support and backing (AL, CA, ID, GA, MA, MN, MO, NM, ND, OK, TN)."

CA-11%
Ga-13%
ID-15%
MN-16%
MO-18%
NM-18%
ND-????
OK-25%
TN-16%

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opinion_polling_for_the_Democratic_Party_(United_States)_presidential_primaries,_2008#California

TheProfessor (Sent Monday, January 28, 2008 3:10 PM)

Huh. I thought Nevada and South Carolina knocked him out of fundraising contention. But then notice how the campaign doesn't seem to qualify the $4 million in a certain timeframe. Maybe I'm being overly suspicious.

Spinning South Carolina as an example of how numbers move when voters hear Edwards message is a stretch - almost Clintonian. I read that Edwards outspent Obama and Clinton combined in South Carolina advertising (I was surprised to hear he had enough cash for that, too), and that in his birth state, which he won four years ago.

But best of luck to the Edwards campaign on this more recent ad buy.

Paul Miller, Woodbridge, VA (Sent Monday, January 28, 2008 3:13 PM)

HA Ha, lol, you kidding me. He's a king maker, vying for his next job. haha!!! too funny.

K-ris Detroit, MI (Sent Monday, January 28, 2008 3:19 PM)

And the First Read EXPERTS said he had no money. The EDWARDS campaign is alive and well. The fight has just begun. As many people have said and continue to say, to win in November the dems must pick EDWARDS. The other two carry to many negatives regardless of what the MSM says.

David, Chattanooga, Tn (Sent Monday, January 28, 2008 3:20 PM)

What if JE really has the ability to be the "king/queenmaker" come Denver? That is what is scaring the heck out of the media and the Obama/Clinton camps right now. I Love It. Lose and yet win.

Blaine (Sent Monday, January 28, 2008 3:30 PM)

I am glad to hear of this ad buy. Without the money that Obama and Clinton have had, it has been much more difficult for the public to hear Edwards' message. This still a three-person race and I am glad Edwards is sticking it out. He would be the best candidate going against any of the Republicans. The media needs to pay more attention to John Edwards.

Heather C, St. Louis, MO (Sent Monday, January 28, 2008 3:32 PM)

Edwards is going to need a big push of ads to make voters aware of him and make them think he has a chance. It will be up hill for him since he hasn't won a state on his own. People could see the wins by Clinton and Obama as signs that it has become a two candidate race. Since 2006 with Pelosi being made speaker of the house, I am sure that some people have been thinking of historical changes that could be made. With either Clinton or Obama being elected, that would be a major change to the past presidential elections where it has been white males.

S.B. Stein E.B. NJ (Sent Monday, January 28, 2008 3:43 PM)

Heather C, St. Louis, MO

Good luck with media covering Edwards. There is simply no chance of that happening. They are only following Obama and actually seem like they are campainging for him and only doing negative articles for the other candidates. I notice now that Obama has commercials on MSNBC. I guess if you buy ads on their network, you get all the positive coverage. Hillary didn't buy ads from MSNBC, because she new they would be shown in Florida, which was against the rules according to the DNC.

StopwatchingMSNBC/Obamanetwork, Rochester, NY (Sent Monday, January 28, 2008 4:02 PM)

AMERICA IS LISTENING TO YOU!!! AND THE DONATIONS SPEAK LOUD AND CLEAR TO THAT!!

I am one of those who donates weekly to the Edwards campaign!! GO JOHN GO!!

JUST SAY NO TO STATUS QUO!!!

D.J, Iowa (Sent Monday, January 28, 2008 4:07 PM)

Glad to hear about this ad buy. Why not go for it? Edwards is clearly a highly motivated and ambitious candidate. That said, it doesn't preclude the idea that he is fighting for his ideas and his progressive policies because his life circumstances have freed him to do so at this point. His son died at 16 and Elizabeth has cancer. As one blogger noted, life is short, so why not try to have an impact. He is not likely to get the chance again. I just wish the nature of this election (two "historic" and "celebrity" candidates) hadn't had such an adverse impact on his candidacy. With all the emphasis on questions of gender and race, we are ignoring that his progressive policies could do the most to aid working class Americans (of all races, ages, religious backgrounds and both sexes). I heard John Grisham talk about trial lawyers the other day on NPR and he noted that they all share a certain "cowboy" personality and a feeling that they really are helping ordinary folks fight against big nameless corporate powers. Maybe that explains it. I still feel he'd be the best candidate the democrats could field in the general election.

Edwardian (Sent Monday, January 28, 2008 4:08 PM)

Well you know it costs money to charter buses and bring in out of staters to vote for you!This sure must make Prez Raygun happy!

Shelly,Aberdeen,Wash (Sent Monday, January 28, 2008 4:11 PM)

I thought Edwards was out of money. This is what I heard on MSNBC Sunday from Joe. IF MSNBC is correct, then this story is false.

The thing about Edwards is that good or bad he doesn't go away. He had a bad showing in SC, but he did poll %18. If he could grab 12-15% of the vote on Feb 5th, he will be a kingmaker because neither Clinton or Obama will hold 51% Funny how this is shaping out!

Matt, St Louis, MO (Sent Monday, January 28, 2008 4:13 PM)

To the previous poster Paul Miller, while the article failed to specify, the campaign has in fact stated that this $4 Million has been raised in January alone. 93% of these donations were under $100 and over 50% were first time contributers and, there largest day of donations came after the Nevada primary. Which means, a whole hell of a lot of folks believe he brings something unique and important to the table, and still intend to vote for him. Myself included.

Heather, Brooklyn, NY (Sent Monday, January 28, 2008 4:17 PM)

It is true, the more Edwards is heard the greater his appeal. Not only does Edwards speak from the heart he envisions how much better off Americans will be once the political cesspool in Washington is cleaned up. Edwards was the first to bring attention to how NAFTA and the FREE TRADE agreements are hurting American workers and the competitiveness of American companies who rely on American labor and Edwards was the first to talk about real change, then Obama and Clinton followed suit. The kinds of change Obama and Hillary are talking about differ greatly however from those envisioned by Edwards. Hillay talks about reversing course to the 1990s style politics while Obama talks about a new direction, Edwards on the otherhand envisions something like a' NEW DEAL', a reshuffling of the cards to transform Washington politics into a profession of nobility where serving the people is no longer an avenue to wealth and power, where the Supreme court will nolonger be a political arm of a party, but relegated to interpretating the wording and intent of the U.S Constitution from neutrality, where America will nolonger be the worlds policeman or nation builder. The 'NEW DEAL' Edwards envisions is exactly what America needs at this time.

Ellis B. K ingman, Az. (Sent Monday, January 28, 2008 4:22 PM)

I'm in California and am pleased to see that John Edwards is going to run an ad here. We have, obviously, some pretty deep problems in our country. He's aware of the magnitude, proposes practical and interrelated solutions that will work across category, and has accurately indentified the barriers that have kept us from solutions. He is for a solid foundation - building from the ground up, green jobs, fair trade, expanded education, universal health care coverage - for our economic prosperity, and won't rest, as President, until we were making real progress. We are so pleased that you are in it to stay, John.

Betty Vierra, Aptos, California (Sent Monday, January 28, 2008 4:22 PM)

He figures he is going to have a HUGE refund on his 2008 taxes by continuing to run.....

Either that he has some fat cats that need to get rid of their money before the democrats take it away with their huge tax increases they are planning....

jerry/corpus christi texas (Sent Monday, January 28, 2008 4:23 PM)

The real 'kingmaker' is the media. The media has already informed the American people that Obama will be our next president.

Thankfully, these ads will remind people that there is another choice.

Wendy PA (Sent Monday, January 28, 2008 4:24 PM)

I've read that Edwards raised over 3 million online in January alone. Obviously there are many out there who like his message. He consistently wins the debates. That he hasn't performed better in the polls and primaries is a testament to media and marketing. Recent analyses of media coverage revealed the enormous disadvantage that Edwards has faced. He's actually out-polling his media coverage by a large margin.

He's a stone cold lock to win in November if nominated. I'm a political scientist, I've been crunching the numbers for over a year. He's unbeatable against the GOP, especially factoring in the electoral college. The Democrats are very likely not going to nominate him, and they fail to do so at their own peril. Obama may defeat McCain on turnout alone (McCain will be the GOP nominee) though it will probably be a close election. Clinton will lose a general election contest against McCain. Edwards would beat McCain by a comfortable margin, because he would neutralize the GOP advantage in rural swing-state and traditionally red state precincts.

Those who castigate Edwards would do well to remember that he has driven the issues in the Democratic primary. That the other two candidates sound more and more like him is not coincidence.

PoliSci33 (Sent Monday, January 28, 2008 4:24 PM)

As a long time Edwards supporter and financial supporter, please know that the campaign raised more money to day in January than it did in the
entire fourth quarter...press release to be
backed up by figures filed on January 31. There
was a money bomb from supporters two Fridays
ago which was one of the highest fundraising days
of the entire campaign. Edwards has money to
compete...and I will continue to give, because
he speaks for me in a way that neither Hillary
or Obama do.

sharon k. Nashville, TN (Sent Monday, January 28, 2008 4:25 PM)

As an Obama supporter, I have tremendous respect for John Edwards, is campaign and his message. He was the winner of the South Carolina debate, rising above the fray incited by "Billary".

If Obama does not get the nomination, I would like to see Edwards there. My dream would be to see Edwards serve as Attorney General in an Obama administration. He could do so much good going after political corruption and corporate malfeasance.

Robert, Boulder CO (Sent Monday, January 28, 2008 4:37 PM)

I really like this man Tomorrow I will vote John Edwards in Gulf Breeze, Fl Don't count him out in till the last vote is cast

Madeline Lowrance, Gulf Breeze, Fl (Sent Monday, January 28, 2008 4:41 PM)

The Edwards supporters are out there. Some of those poll numbers posted are fairly old, and there are other polls from the same states that show Edwards with a higher percentage than what that guy listed. Edwards 08!

Edwards Supporter, St.Joseph,MO (Sent Monday, January 28, 2008 4:43 PM)

The longer John Edwards stays in the campaign, the better off the Democratic Party will be. Let's be honest, all three remaining candidates suck. They are just horrible. I don't want anyone to get a majority of delegates before the Convention. The Democratic Party needs to look into its soul and ask if these three losers are really the best we can do? A former President's wife who would really be nothing more than a tool for his next term, an empty suit who makes nice speeches but who has never accomplished anything of real substance in politics, and a one-term Senator who now claims to be against many of the positions he supported during his limited time in Congress. Yuck! The Democrats need a brokered Convention that results in an honorable compromise candidate who can really unite the party and lead us to a landslide victory in November. Anything else is a certain recipe for disaster.

Gouverneur Beauregard, Nashville, TN (Sent Monday, January 28, 2008 4:51 PM)

I wish Edwards would pack up and go away. All he did in SC is take the white male vote. All he is doing is chipping into Hillary's constituency. A vote for Edwards is just a vote for Obama. This thing is between Obama and Hillary. He's like the third wheel on a tricle. Just go away!

BionicWoman, Tucson, AZ (Sent Monday, January 28, 2008 4:55 PM)

The Clintons will be the death of the democratic party for the next 16 years if Hillary was to be president. First even if she won the presidency the dems would lose congress. After 4 years of the Clintons the white house will probably go back to the repugs.

rosie, crestview, fl (Sent Monday, January 28, 2008 5:07 PM)

I think his message is good but John and Elizabeth come across a little angry and bitter - I think rightly or wrongly the American people don't seem to be attractd to the message in droves - and I don't think this will change no matter how much money he spends on ads. Clinton and Obama are more interesting than he is and are getting more press. Theirs are historic campaigns. His is not.

Independent in CA (Sent Monday, January 28, 2008 5:14 PM)

Kris,

Oh Please.

Four million is not a lot of money for a national campaign, which is what this is.

I've read that it would cost $1 Million a week to run ads with decent rotation in an "average state."

There are 22 states. And, considering you've got CA, NY and IL in the mix, it's probably more like the size of 30 "average states."

So a week of media across them all would run, by those numbers, $30 Million.

Of course, nobody is going to blanket EVERY state. Every campaign is going to target their limited resources. But the resources of the Edwards campaign are far more limited than the other candidates.

Shane, Ohio (Sent Monday, January 28, 2008 5:18 PM)

In spite of the corporate media's lack of coverage of the anti-corporate Edwards campaign (no surprise there) Edwards has been able to raise money. Maybe it's because the others are chewing each other's liver on a daily basis? This is still a 3-person race, regardless of the media. He is the best candidate for the November election. John Edwards can beat the Republicans.

As for the Kennedy endorsement of Obama -- Now we know that Obama is bought and paid for.

Geri, Las Vegas, NV (Sent Monday, January 28, 2008 5:21 PM)

John Edwards is a tried-and-true national vote-getter. Look, he ran with Lurch from the Addams family in 2004 against the Diebold-conspiracy and dead people voting for Bush in Ohio! In November 2004, 59,028,111 voted for Edwards and Lurch. If Edwards had any skeletons in his closet, they were all dug out by the Swift Boat crew in 2004. Hillary has tons of skeletons in her closet, just wait. We know NOTHING about Obama yet, but I am sure he is alot "cleaner" than Rodham-Clinton because he is alot younger.

59,028,111 votes! match that hillary! match that mc cain! match that romney! c'mon be realistic!

Anton G (Sent Monday, January 28, 2008 5:28 PM)

Thank you MSNBC for reporting this.

Don't underestimate the amount of largely silent, hidden, grassroots support that Edwards may generate as the campaign develops.

And, perhaps this ad buy will encourage the conventional media to cover this race in a more evenhanded manner.

Frank (Sent Monday, January 28, 2008 5:31 PM)

The Democrat who would be certain to win against Mc Cain, Romney or whoever the Republicans end up with is John Edwards. It wouldn't be a bistory-making candidacy- another white male from the South, but it would be a winner.

Myrna G East Bruswick NJ (Sent Monday, January 28, 2008 5:33 PM)

If you want a Democrat in the White House, please educate yourself about John Edwards. Don't let the media determine the nominee for you. Not only is Edwards viable, he is the best candidate. Clinton and Obama realize the power of his message--that's why they're starting to use it themselves. But it's JOHN EDWARDS'S message (universal health care, poverty, corporate greed, global warming, Iraq), and HIS beliefs. Who do you think will fight harder for these causes? If these things matter to you, learn more about him. Don't let the pundits tell you who can be President. And don't worry about the money! Believe me, if Edwards wins the nomination (which he can only do if people like you give him a listen and vote for him), money will pour in from all quarters to help him defeat the Republican nominee--and he has a far better chance of beating that nominee than Clinton or Obama. If he wins the nomination, people will hear him. Once they do, I believe he will win. When that happens, we'll be on the road to restoring this country to a place we can again be proud to claim citizenship in. If he doesn't win the nomination, we are very likely to lose this election and see at least four more years of corruption, greed, destruction, and shame. So PLEASE learn more about Edwards and help win this nomination!

Christine (Sent Monday, January 28, 2008 5:35 PM)

I am still donating to and supporting Edwards! I won't work for or donate to Obama until he demonstrates more leadership and substance. I am tired of the Clintons, but I want more meat than Obama provides. His fluff may attract a lot of voters, but not me!

Heartlander (Sent Monday, January 28, 2008 5:49 PM)

Sadly, I think John Edwards needs to stay home with his poor wife and his family. He needs to leave the race with what's left of his dignity intact. I like the guy, but he's starting to make a fool of himself with this pointless campaign. He doesn't have the experience of the following to be president.

Joshua Blackstone, Blue Springs, MO (Sent Monday, January 28, 2008 5:55 PM)

If you really want real change from the dems then vote Edwards if you want blacks vs white same ol same ol type government as usual then vote Obama or Hillary.
Edwards has the clearest and most valuable message its just to bad the media and most people like star power over real solutions.

Dave,Central Florida (Sent Monday, January 28, 2008 6:02 PM)

Go John!, Go! We need a candidate that isn't tied to the status quo.

pmorlan,Louisville, KY (Sent Monday, January 28, 2008 6:10 PM)

If it wasn't for the incredible timing of the first serious black and woman candidate at the very same time, Edwards would be the rock star of the Democratic party. He'd have won 2004 instead of Kerry -- even most northern Democrats grudging agree is true.

Edwards may not win, but it's great that he may be in a position to be the dealmaker. And I think we'll be surprised how well he does in the plains states on February 5th that lack the so-called 'traditional' Democratic constituency.

Clay Grant, Atlanta, Georgia (Sent Monday, January 28, 2008 6:11 PM)

Keep up the fight John!!!

Eddie, Chicago (Sent Monday, January 28, 2008 6:13 PM)

Well, in reality if you don't have uncle teddies blessing your nothing!

BYE HRC (Sent Monday, January 28, 2008 6:13 PM)

I looked at the exit poll data carefully.

Edwards gets the majority of the white-vote, especially white males. He also did well with white females.

In case no one noticed, the blacks are only 12% of the population, and have a low voting percentage.

The democrats do not have a problem getting the votes of women and blacks: 90% of blacks vote democratic, and women constitute 60% of the democratic party.

The same reason John is having trouble, is the same reason he would be the most, and perhaps ONLY electable candidate: he is capable of getting the most white male-independents and Republicans to vote for him.

Obama will probably fall apart in states where there is no black populations to carry him, and Hillary has become hated.

If McCain becomes the clear nominee, it may become clear that Obama is not going to win the nomination, and Hillary can't win the general election.

Edwards and Obama can make a deal at the convention, or before.

The problem here is that we are trying to operate on the myth that we are "color-blind."

The fact is that race does matter, and that we have deep-seated prejudices and feelings.

The bigger problem is that we cannot acknowledge them as a society, which would be a start to dealing with them.

Oscar (Sent Monday, January 28, 2008 6:17 PM)

Why isn't anyone investigating what kind of deal did Hillary offer Edwards last week in their private meeting?

Alma. CA. (Sent Monday, January 28, 2008 6:22 PM)

I am very happy about this ad buy as well. John Edwards is gaining more and more support without the "celebrity status" the media has put on the other two. The ONLY way the democrats can win the nomination is with Edwards. The Republicans will sweep the floor with the other two.

Amy W, Charlotte, NC (Sent Monday, January 28, 2008 6:26 PM)

hey professor, what are you smokin', you just sited the polls. do you know anything about polls. the media thinks the polls speak for the people too. That's what Edwards is up against.

Lisa (Sent Monday, January 28, 2008 6:38 PM)

Edwards is showing a steady commitment that we (his supporters) admire. We keep giving money, getting our friends to give money, and we won't take no for an answer. There are lots of votes still up for grabs. And---- I don't smoke anything.

SusanT, MA (Sent Monday, January 28, 2008 6:38 PM)

The media gave Edwards right at 2/3 less coverage than given to Hillary or Obama from the start. Not much has changed and it's easy to see why. Corporate dollars to Edwards' opponents' campaigns, from media owners, put those dollars back in media coffers for campaign ads, for one. Of course, hidden agendas could also exist.

Edwards is not for sale. He's not taken one dime from special interest groups, PACs or lobbyists. Campaign funds come from the people. Some send $100. More do $5, $10. Most send less than $50. His is a lean, clean campaign with plenty of hard work and limited dollars. What the media refuses to do JRE supporters are doing. Getting his message to voters. Grassroots. One-on-one.

Never underestimate John Edwards or his supporters. This marathon is not a sprint. The goal is The White House and Edwards is electable vs. any GOP including McCain. Hillary and Obama both rank lower on those polls and, no, Kingmaker is not Edwards' goal. He's in this to win as are his growing numbers of supporters.

Susan. Shattuck, OK (Sent Monday, January 28, 2008 6:38 PM)

I am glad Edwards is still in the race. If anything to keep the other two on message. They've spent so much time attacking each other, now they have to go back and actually remember the issues (and this comes from an Obama supporter!).

I also like that he is a thorn in Clinton's side. Look at the numbers from SC. He took a lot of her supposed coup of white votes. I'd love to see him keep Clinton from her self-imposed coronation. I can see him handing the nomination to Obama LONG before he'd ever give it to Clinton. Remember, they did not campaign for he and Kerry in 2004. It would be true payback now.

Mike K, Denver (Sent Monday, January 28, 2008 6:57 PM)

John Edwards has big support here in Minnesota. Just go up to the Iron Range - it's where the Rust Belt STARTS! And Duluth is a BIG blue-collar union town. U.S. Steel closed it's plant here years ago during Reagan, devastating the West End, and we've never forgotten. Hillary and Obama don't connect to us the way John Edwards does. Too bad Ohio, Michigan, and Pennsylvania aren't part of Feb. 5th!

I hear he's real big down in the Twin Cities, too.

Frank Vraczyksky, Duluth, MN (Sent Monday, January 28, 2008 7:00 PM)

We need John Edwards strong in the race in case Barack and Hillary crash and burn by destroying each other.

nuanced (Sent Monday, January 28, 2008 7:05 PM)

I hope that John Edwards begins talking about AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL - i.e., our National Parks, which previous administrations have neglected; our public lands and resources, which previous administrations have sold to the highest bidder for extraction (destructive grazing, logging, mining, oil drilling, etc.) and the wildlife and endangered species with which we share this incredible nation with (also ignored or neglected, sometimes to extinction!)

Please talk about these things that Americans (including many of my friends and neighbors) are interested in!

Marcia Hanscom, Playa del Rey, California (Sent Monday, January 28, 2008 7:25 PM)

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