Edwards' Fortress investment

John Henry, Houston, Texas — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 17:57:59 GMT

The word Hypocrit comes to mind.

Edwards' Fortress investment

Dale, Denver — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 18:03:58 GMT

I can't believe those jerkwad mortgage brokers and lenders are holding guns to people's heads and forcing them to sign loan papers with terms unfavorable to the borrowers. Oh wait . . . I forgot . . . that doesn't happen.

Edwards' Fortress investment

Betty, Baltimore, MD — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 18:06:36 GMT

Mitt Romney makes money off of Porn.

And he doesn't even try to divest that cash!!!

But you don't want to report about that, do you?

You guys are so ridiculous.

I WANT A REPORT ON MITT ROMNEY'S MULTI MILLION DOLLAR INVESTMENTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WHERE IS IT?

Edwards' Fortress investment

sick of "washington" — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 18:09:53 GMT

it will be OK so long as he uses all of his profits to buy carbon credits ;-)

Edwards' Fortress investment

Richard, Washington State — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 18:11:14 GMT

Oh, Johnny is a slick one. He will divest himself from any company profiting from foreclosures. Well, even though it can happen, it is rare for a company to profit from a foreclosure, even less so with a sub-prime mortgage.

I'd be more interested in how much money slick Johnny stands to lose from investing in the sub-prime market. And if he can divest himself, I'd be very interested in what entity or entities buy his stake.

But maybe since he might not actually profit from foreclosures he can retain his investment with a clear conscience.

Maybe there really are two Americas.

Edwards' Fortress investment

Dave, Tn — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 18:15:01 GMT

This makes him the prefect Socialist. Create the conditions to create victims so he can sell the victims on the ideaR that they need him.

Edwards' Fortress investment

Carrie, Eastern Iowa — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 18:17:02 GMT

I like John Edwards a lot; I'd say he is very close to being my number one choice. But if you ask me, when you invest $16 million with a company, you probably know what that company is about. Edwards is very wealthy, but he is not so wealthy that $16 million is not a significant chunk of change.

Even if he didn't know, though, it still worries me because he SHOULD have known. Is he going to be that capricious with American dollars or, worse still, American lives? I would really hate to think that, because for the most part I love his message and I think he would be a great president. But if he can't properly monitor his own investment to make sure that he is not getting into something he doesn't want to, it doesn't give me a lot of confidence that he would be able to do it for America.

Edwards' Fortress investment

Jenny in Des Moines — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 18:20:35 GMT

Sometimes it is a matter of seeing the forest through the trees.

John Edwards worked for this company to get a better understanding of the financial industry to, you know, help him when he is president. It doesn't mean that he automatically approves of everything they do and it doesn't mean that he would try and change things about the company if/when he can.

But it does paint a pretty picture for some people doesn't it? Guy with big house, nice hair, worked for a year at an investment group....how dare he speak about poverty, because God knows that you can't be sympathitic to a cause unless you are that cause. Someone should tell that to the millions of white people that help with civil rights or the millions of straight people that are fighting for gay rights.

Edwards' Fortress investment

John Doe, The Peanut Gallery — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 18:26:33 GMT

Well, it's nice to see that the MSM has gotten the first hit peice out in response to the ONE vote Iowa poll.

1) The rich can be for poor people without any hypocrisy. Just because someone is very wealthy doesn't make them a robber baron. This entire meme that Edwards is a hypocrit because he advocates for the poor while not being broke himself is just rediculous.

2) The entire point of investment funds like Fortress is that they invest in many different things to maximize potential growth while minimizing potential loss. Do you know every stock that is held by your investment funds? That Fortress is invested in some things Edwards personally advocates against does NOT equate to Edwards secretly liking those things. What it equates to is a fund manager taking a financial position that looked good on paper but didn't take into account the human costs. He didn't consult Edwards when he made those moves and I'm certain if he had Edwars would have told him that that move would loose him as a client.

He's divesting himself of the fund (which will probably hurt is long term financial standing) and moving on to the important issues. So should everyone else.

PS> Anyone care to remember that the Bush clan is heavily invested with Bin Laden Construction and the Carlyle Group? Doing business with the enemy might be construed in the same light if the media wasn't so "fair and balanced".

Edwards' Fortress investment

B. Moody, San Antonio, Texas — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 18:27:25 GMT

As an Obama voter, I wonder if Edwards will be as scrutinized as Obama. Somehow, I rather doubt it because it seems that Clinton and Edwards will have to commit a clearly identifiable felony before anyone truly criticizes. So much for the political and realistic double standard.

Edwards' Fortress investment

Kristian O — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 18:36:16 GMT

Another pathetic attempt to mischarcterize a candidate for something they have no control over. What a joke.

Edwards' Fortress investment

Lost in Iraq — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 18:42:02 GMT

I'll have no further comments for awile. I'am going on vacation with the Iraqi Parlement for a month or two. Please hold my mail, and take a message. If it's "urgent" it will just have to wait. I'll bring everyone back a nice souvinier.

Edwards' Fortress investment

Sierra, San Francisco — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 18:43:08 GMT

Is there a double standard here ?
Does First Read look into any of the other candidates investments ?

Does it ever do any investigations of Hillary's investments ?
I understand she had an investment at a place called Whitewater. Where's she invested, now ?

God forbid the media should look into Rudi's or Mitt's (see above) or even Freddy's investments.
How about Boy George's investment in a baseball team ?
Where'd he get the money to buy that team ?

It's called 'business as usual' (media hypocracy?)

Edwards' Fortress investment

Subba — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 18:45:52 GMT

Johny, a poor guy, gets himself into trouble by this late found love for the poor people. His actions contradict him message. Always had to correct himself. $400 hiarcut from people's money, hedge funds investor and adviser before he was against hedgefunds, against lobbyist and PACs but scored lot of money from Murdoch, for labour before he opposed right to work.

I think Johny is done.

Edwards' Fortress investment

Richard, Washington State — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 18:45:55 GMT

Carrie: He wasn't just an investor, either. He worked for them and promoted them. Actually, I have no real problem with that. In my view there is nothing wrong with making money or being rich. But John "Two Americas" Edwards is trying have his cake and eat it, too. And he looks like a holier-than-though hypocrite.

I will just be interested to see if Democrats will make as much political hay out of it as they do when applying a similar circumstance to Republicans.

Sounds like a good time for the Hillary machine to take this guy apart. It's also a good time for Obama to attack both Edwards and Hillary who are both wealthier than he is.

Edwards' Fortress investment

Mike PAV — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 18:46:02 GMT

Does anyone think he would have promised to divest himself from any company profiting from the foreclosures if this story didn't get out? He had plenty of time to disolve any relationship with Fortress but he didn't and he still hasn't. This is not the kind of person we want running America. The kind that says one thing and does another. He should be ashamed of himself but I think he's too greedy to care. The right thing to do would be to drop out of the race.

Edwards' Fortress investment

Kristian O — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 18:46:32 GMT

Fortune just lost a client. A 16 million dollar client too.

Edwards' Fortress investment

Anne, FL — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 18:46:37 GMT

Look for more hit pieces by the Wall Street Journal -owned by Rupert Murdoch who's sponsoring fundraisers for Hillary and funding her campaign.

Support Fox News - vote Hillary/Murdoch08

Edwards' Fortress investment

Democrat — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 18:50:31 GMT

The country wants change. Hey, remember that oldies but goodies Aretha Franklin song?

CHANGE, CHANGE, CHANGE - CHANGE OF FOOLS.

Change.

Man, how often are we going to hear this word until next November.

Isn't everybody running on this catch phrase? Has there ever been a candidate who didn't run on change?

Just askin'.

Edwards' Fortress investment

Richard, Palatka, FL — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 18:52:01 GMT

Carrie - during discussions about employment, Edwards told Fortress he wasn't interested in working for a company engaged in anti-union activities and predatory lending.
Fortress assured him they weren't.
Last spring he learned some Katrina victims may be facing possible foreclosure - and he URGED Fortress to prevent it.
Now he's learned the problem is continuing - and he's taking personal responsibility for it. Hopefully, other candidates will review their investments.

Edwards' Fortress investment

Mark, Atlanta, GA — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 18:53:58 GMT

Chelsea Clinton works for a hedge fund.

Edwards' Fortress investment

jtb — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 18:59:10 GMT

Carrie:
No clear thinking American could possibly believe the drivel and "do as I say, not as I do" rhetoric coming from that multimillion dollar candidate pretending to understand the poor, when, in practice, his money and investments speak otherwise.

It's O.K to be rich, it's just hypocritical to try to act/speak/pretend you are not. Unfortunately, Edwards is in good company: Ted Kennedy, John Kerry,; At least Bill and Hiliary have the good sense not to pretend about their wealth. It's the only thing they ARE honest about.
.

Edwards' Fortress investment

bobf — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 19:01:52 GMT

Look at all the repubs chastising John Edwards. You bunch of nypocrits have the gall to call out Edwards? I thought you repubs beleived in the american dream. Oh you beleve in the american dream as long as the wealthy become republicans. If someone gets wealthy and is a democrat, that is not the american dream for these repubs. That is why john Edwards scares republicans. Carrie, when you invest your 401K money, do you know every company that is part of a class of funds? No, you put the money in and an account manager distributes to various funds. Inside each of these funds are various companies. The better portfolio's are very diverse and I guarantee that you can not name every company your 401K dollars are going to. So cut him so slack, it is just an investment. Investments either make you money or lose it. That is part of the game. I can not beleive the repub hypocrits are so scared of a someone acheiving the american dream. Most repubs have their money handed down to them or what people call OLD MONEY. John Edwards started poor and acheived his wealth. He is what they call NEW MONEY. I am thankful he has retained his roots and stayed democrat. I hope some day to have 1/16 of Edwards investment. More power to him

Edwards' Fortress investment

Bub ah BuTTs, McDonnaugh, Ga. — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 19:03:43 GMT

i 'Ll PuT mY $ oN CHel SEA. hillaryclinton.com

Edwards' Fortress investment

vanreuter, NY NY — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 19:04:49 GMT

"As an Obama voter, I wonder if Edwards will be as scrutinized as Obama. Somehow, I rather doubt it because it seems that Clinton and Edwards will have to commit a clearly identifiable felony before anyone truly criticizes. So much for the political and realistic double standard.

B. Moody, San Antonio, Texas"

I've been trying to find those hard-hitting, negative articles on Obama that you allude to, where are they as we should all be able to protest this injustice.

As to Edwards and Clinton, you are so right. It is IMPOSSIBLE to find a single negative thing written about them anywhere...lol

Van

Edwards' Fortress investment

vanreuter, NY NY — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 19:07:34 GMT

"Chelsea Clinton works for a hedge fund."
Mark, Atlanta, GA

Fred Flintstone works in a quarry, for Mr. Slate
The Keebler elves work in a hollow tree.

Now we have THREE irrelevant comments on places where people work.

Van

Edwards' Fortress investment

Bruce, NV — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 19:09:24 GMT

So, if these people haven't paid their mortgages, why shouldn't they be foreclosed?

Edwards' Fortress investment

MK,MO — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 19:10:37 GMT

first read should report all the candidates investment portfolio's or no ones, another blantant attempt by the media to smear edwards, I dare say edwards investments are cleaner than most of the other candidtes, prove me wrong

Edwards' Fortress investment

Roger, Oakland CA — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 19:18:39 GMT

Sierra - You know there's a double-standard. Being rich and progressive is inherently hypocritical per the traditional press. They've been gunning for Edwards for some time. If you want to read about how the political press can target a candidate, check out http://mediamatters.org/items/200707210002. Meanwhile, our President is pulling a bait and switch with the "Petraeus Report," and the press yawns.

Edwards' Fortress investment

Jeff Darber — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 19:21:39 GMT

Jenny in Des Moines - the point is that on one hand Edwards derides the institutions for their predator practices, but on the other hand he has collected huge profits from investing in those same insitutions.

How do you square all this and yet continue to support him?

Edwards can speak about poverty all he wants. It doesn't change the fact that he continues to support the same corporations he claims are causing the poverty.

Edwards' Fortress investment

Dave, Tn — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 19:23:16 GMT

Aug. 14 (Bloomberg) -- Democrats are collecting more than two-thirds of the campaign donations from employees of the biggest hedge funds and buyout firms, as the party taps into one of Wall Street's fastest-growing sources of wealth.

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=abPcaWGJlFwo

Edwards' Fortress investment

Roger, Oakland CA — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 19:25:24 GMT

So Romney has money invested in a Chinese company that does business with Iran AND have stock in a pharm. co. that conducts research on stem cells...per msnbc.

Let's see: we have two apparent cases of hypocrisy. Which one will get the air-time? hyper-analysis? and damning narrative? That's a rhetorical question.

Edwards' Fortress investment

Nick (Clifton Park, NY) — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 19:28:01 GMT

People don't take responsibility for their actions. Anyone who gets forcelosed on because they took out a mortgage they couldn't afford gets what they get because they weren't smart enough to know the difference between fixed and adjustable rates. All they saw was the lower rate and jumped at the chance to live beyond their true means. Predatory lending? All lending is designed to make money or it would never happen. The irony is that sub-prime lenders who do not examine a customer's credit properly will lose money and thus have to be bailed out by the Federal Reserve. No oe wins here. The only way to resolve this economic problem is for people to educate themselves and not make rash decisions about their living situation, or assume the market will allow them to sell the house at a profit. If they can't afford to stay in the house at the adjustable rate they never should have bought it in the first place. They were greedy to so don't automatically blame the lender. The only candidate that will eliminate the Federal Reserve (private bank that owns this country) from their monetary cartel is Ron Paul. I know you're mostly Democrats here, but we need a president that is not only honest, but knows something about economics and why the financial crisis is happening, before the fit hits the shan. Oh, and he'll end the war and cut government spending.

I don't think Edwards was malicious towards anyone, but he had to know people would investigate his holdings. To have these holdings and run for president is not very smart.

Edwards' Fortress investment

Betty Hooker, North Carolina — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 19:29:06 GMT

Timing matters. Most of the objectionable Fortress practices occurred after Edwards had ended his consultant work with them. I admire him for standing up to Fortress when he learned of their discussions on foreclosures. I admire him for moving his personal investments when Fortress made the decision to go ahead with their foreclosures on Katrina victims.

Another point that has been under-reported is the fact that Edwards returned to Fortress after making the decision to include raising taxes on Hedge funds and closing tax loop holes as major issues of his campaign. He had the guts to go there and tell the executives of his decision to their face. He explained his reasoning to them, and then went public with his new tax plans. Edwards is the most honorable person in politics today.

Edwards' Fortress investment

MK,MO — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 19:30:15 GMT

Mark, Atlanta, GA / "Chelsea Clinton works for a hedge fund." that's different, the media can only talk about edwards finances

Edwards' Fortress investment

John B, Des Moines, IA — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 19:32:56 GMT

It's hypocricy to invest in a broadly-based fund that you later find out is involved in predatory lending then pull your money, probably at personal cost, if you publicly state that you have concern for those in need. It's OK to quietly profit off the desperate for your entire life as long as you don't care about the poor. Nice sense of priorities. Edwards is someone who profited nicely off his labors and has chosen not to turn his back on those less fortunate. That's enough for me.

Edwards' Fortress investment

MK,MO — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 19:40:55 GMT

if you take a good look at who is opposing edwards the most, the wall street journal, corporate america in general, the wealthy elite, insurance companies, pharmasuitical companies, msn, so on, those are the exact same people and entities backing hillary and most of the republican candidates, anyone care to argue on this point, probably not, it's a fact

Edwards' Fortress investment

Carrie, Eastern Iowa — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 19:41:38 GMT

Mark - Chelsea Clinton is not running for office, is she? Are candidates now to be responsible for the careers chosen by their children? What's next - candidates will be responsible for whether their adult offspring drives a Ford or a Honda? Hm, maybe we should hold Bush responsible for Barbara and Jenna's underage drinking arrests then.

For the record, my criticism of Edwards was not so much that he was involved with Fortress, as it is a legal company conducting legal business, but that he is claiming to not have awareness of what the company he invested $16 million in was doing. To me, that is irresponsible. I understand that companies like this are very diverse, but I know if it was my money, I would be having some very smart financial people go through the company with a fine-tooth comb - ESPECIALLY if I was running for public office, knowing that things like this are likely to get exposed eventually. The point is that it does not give me a lot of confidence in Edwards that he can't even manage his own finances without getting involved in something that directly contradicts his message.

That being said, I still like Edwards an awful lot and I am glad that he is divesting.

Edwards' Fortress investment

MK,MO — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 19:51:58 GMT

Subba / pretty lame subba, how wealthy are the other candidates? what do the other candidates have tucked away in they're financial portfolios? the money from murdoch was for a book deal and has nothing to do with pac or lobbyist money, how much do the other candidates pay for they're hair maintenance? do you want compare apples to apples or mindlessly bitch like the press? I didn't think so, have great weekend

Edwards' Fortress investment

Lee Holmes — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 20:05:06 GMT

John Doe. So are the Democrats,or did you forget,[Arab Star March 12,2006],that algores Riyadh speech was funded by the ''bin Laden Group''? Further,we find that Democrats Barbara Boxer and Nancy Pelosis [Dianne Feinstein gets loot from them as well],biggest California-based campaign contributors [Center for Responsive Politics at www.opensecrets.org],is BECHTEL,whose chief investors include ''The bin Laden Group''. [CARLYLE,of course,was founded by former Carter administration officials,where the biggest arms dealer to the Saudis was one George Soros,and whose officers include both Democrats as well as Republicans].
Give it a rest John. Your guys are up to their eyeballs in these concerns and with Republicans,are merely two horns on the same goat. Then too,it is not a Romney or Guliani who is putting on the St.Jude schtick. It is Edwards,who like the enviro-zealot algore, or ''family values'' Republicans,ends up paying the most for this hypocrisy.

Edwards' Fortress investment

Steve, Louisville ky — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 20:18:24 GMT

I feel your pain, i know what it is like to be poor,"as i move in to steal your home"

Edwards' Fortress investment

Union Baby, Tennessee — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 20:27:52 GMT

Lesson be learned - don't trust your accountant or your stock broker - they are a lot more dishonest than your attorney.

It is very possible to be wealthy and 1. remember what it was like to grow up poor. 2. still care about the poor people even though you are no longer poor.
That is what separates the Dems from the R's. The R's could give a rats behind about the poor as long as they arrive with mop bucket in hand to clean up their mess. The Dems usually remember what it feels like to be the ones carrying the bucket. Think I'll stick with the Dems and John Edwards.
And please MSNBC/CNN/ABC if you are gonna report Edward's fiances please include Obama, Clinton, F. Thompson, McCain, Rudy & Mit in the crowd. We deserve to know the whole truth and nothing but. Otherwise we may as well be communicating with and watching fox in the hen house news.

Edwards' Fortress investment

JIrby, Colorado — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 20:31:23 GMT

I think this "revelation" will mainly influence the Bush-voting fools of America and on this thread. How much of a mistake would it take for one of these jokers to decide against voting for Edwards? We passed that point long ago with the haircut. Yet these same inbred morons have put up with worse from Bush and Cheney on more or less a weekly basis, but are very content to snooze right through it. But this election is not about what the morons of America think. They had their chance and put Bush on the throne. This election belongs to America's non-morons. We will decide who deserves to lead this country, and I can guarantee you, [the morons], that we are more capable of deciding when a candidate has lied or crossed the line than you were with your Bush. That's why you are morons and we are not. If you were really worried when someone in power was engaged in projects that hurt the people, you would be outraged with the Bush gang and would have been since long ago. The smarter ex-Bushies have seen him for what he is, and I'll wager it will take more than a bit of tenth-rate swiftboating to charm them into being fooled again, even when the swiftboating is performed by one or more of our trusted news services.

Edwards' Fortress investment

Richard, Washington State — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 20:43:42 GMT

In 2006 Fortress Investments paid John Edwards $479,000 (that's 1,225 haircuts) for part-time work as a consultant- this apparently while he was learning something he could use as president when his salary drops to $400,000 for a full time job.

Fortress Investment's latest forays into the world of acquisition are casinos and horse racing.

Slick Johnny is working hard to back up his claim that there are two Americas. His and the rest of ours. And some of you are falling all over yourselves to rationalize this well-coiffed snake-oil salesman. The strain on his psyche must also be great as he tries to live like a Republican and pass himself off as a higher life form.

All he's going to do is pro-rate the portion of Fortress that involves sub-prime lending, and maybe the casinos and horse racing ventures, sell it to a partner and say when he's president he will propose legislation that will provide a billion or two to prevent some private homeowners from losing their houses (where have I heard that before?).

Richard, Palatka, FL: The investment firm can't prevent default and foreclosure. That happens when the homeowner doesn't pay the money that wasn't theirs in the first place. Fortress just loses money.

When John Edwards writes these people a personal check, then he will be taking personal responsibility for it. Until then, he's just slick Johnny to me.

Edwards' Fortress investment

Greg Herndon — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 20:45:33 GMT

We live in a capatilist society. It is ok to make money. At least Mr. Edwards earned his money as a plaintiffs attorney. Other than take advantage of her husbands power in Arkansas to work for wallmart(now the great satan)There is nothing wrong with making money. I believe that the President should have experience in business. Not only the business of polotics. (Mr. Obama)oh yeh He wrote a book about being a politician. Although charging $50000.00 to give a speech about poverty is going a little far!!!

Edwards' Fortress investment

Gale Travis, Haines City, FL — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 21:05:47 GMT

Isn't it weird that if you are successful, and you've made a few bucks, you can't be a good Democrat?

Edwards' Fortress investment

m.dmitruk — Sat, 18 Aug 2007 20:55:36 GMT

he is only a bluf again he should be looking after his wife sickness instead of been a ridicoules germagain

Edwards' Fortress investment

m.dmitruk — Sat, 18 Aug 2007 21:01:58 GMT

obama need to be investigated about all the money he gets for his campaing with the3 arabic name that he have which arab group is giving him themoney his middle name sahdam he also said in one of his speeches that if he gets to be president the first thing he will do is to visit irak to talk to all the people there why he have to paid the arabs for all the money he was given need investigation to this matter

Edwards' Fortress investment

Steve — Sat, 18 Aug 2007 21:41:45 GMT

It's great that the media bring to light these sensational stories meant to shock the electorate.I'd like to see more improvement there and move beyond the shock effects or discovery and see indepth Watergate type investigational public reporting of all presidential candidates,their finances and other undisclosed connections.It would even be constructive and helpful to view the candidates responses (motivations) to these discoveries on prime time Television interviews?.

Edwards' Fortress investment

KMacri — Sat, 18 Aug 2007 21:47:20 GMT

We have waited 200 years for a woman so you know who I am voting for. Every mother, daughter and sister ought to think long and hard about this. We have sat in the back seat too long.

Edwards' Fortress investment

Jim Leavenworth, St Louis Park, MN — Sat, 18 Aug 2007 23:25:06 GMT

It is heartening to read the many comments standing by Edwards, the downside is I have advise for the Edwards campaign and I can only pray they see this post. Get the candidate to New Orleans fast and set up an event where he gives checks to all of Fortress's victims covering thier deliquent payments out of his personal checkbook, campaign funds just won't cut it. To the rest of you wonderful people, especially you Iowans, keep the faith, America needs you!

Edwards' Fortress investment

Orleana — Sat, 18 Aug 2007 23:39:28 GMT

You got it all wrong on Edwards, he took a bath and lost his shirt on Fortress Investments, symbol FIG on the NYSE. It has lost over 50 % of its value, making John a major poverty victim of hedge fund abuse. Perhaps, he will blow the whistle on Fortress, and how it conned him. If only he were a real lawyer he would sue Fortress, but he just sues doctors, to drive up your health care insurance costs.
How come the New York financial press has neglected to inform us on how much Edwards lost in his Fortress deals ? Well, it never saw the light on Enron, either untl the place melted down. Johnny was such a sucker, Fortress rolled him, used him, and made him the laughing stock of America. He can't even fully inform us what he leanred in his Fortress dealings--- so do they own him, too ?

Edwards' Fortress investment

a p garcia — Sun, 19 Aug 2007 01:55:44 GMT

I doubt he will defend the "poor" who already got evection notices. On the other hand, he might if they pay $1200 for his haircut.

I still remember a "poor" person, who lost everything in Katrina and didn't qualify for federal help because his losses weren't "BIG" enough.

Edwards' Fortress investment

cm Idabel OK — Sun, 19 Aug 2007 11:57:54 GMT

Why does it seem that empathy and sucess in life are not respected or admired anymore? Does anyone know where their insurance premiums are invested? Where their taxes truly go? Do You know where every dollar you spend ends up or who your employer invests or actions they take to make a profit? John Edwards got his money the old fashioned way, He pulled himself up from a poor family and Earned it, which seems to be a problem for many. Until I see a deliberate intent to lie or mislead, I am willing to give the benefit of the doubt to someone who has suffered real life experiences of being poor, losing a child, and dealing with cancer, how can someone not be considerd truly empathatic?

Edwards' Fortress investment

David,New Braunfels,Texas — Sun, 19 Aug 2007 13:06:17 GMT

Edwards should have followed the lead of other democratic sleeze bags like Kennedy and Heinz....I mean Kerry.... and put the money in overseas accounts where Uncle Sam can't tax it, while trying to get my hard earned tax money to fund all of their social programs and win votes so that they can get re-elected,and the hypocrit cycle goes on and on etc.etc.

Edwards' Fortress investment

Jack Serum — Sun, 19 Aug 2007 14:50:58 GMT

Why doesn't the author know that "sight" and "site" have two different meanings?

Edwards' Fortress investment

Jack Klemz — Sun, 19 Aug 2007 15:26:01 GMT

Um, author should know "site" is different from "sight."

Edwards' Fortress investment

Ken Collins/ Wagoner, Oklahoma — Sun, 19 Aug 2007 16:07:28 GMT

If the American people think John Edwards is BAD wait until Bill and Hillary's investment's and back door deals are exposed.
How much cash and gifts do you think Bill Clinton received when he signed in the North American Free Trade Agreement, the very "big" money deal for tricky Bill but broke the back of American Manufactuing.
Wake up America when you cast that ballot you best do some research, or we will be right back with the rich in charge !!!!

Edwards' Fortress investment

nuanced — Sun, 19 Aug 2007 16:49:19 GMT

The Wall Street Journal is now the advocate for victims of predatory business practices? Wah ha ahh haa ha. What a joke. What next, will they run exposes on Citicorp or the cellular services companies practices? Where are all the articles on excessive executive compensation sucking dry the small investors. The Journal is ultra right wing (even without Rupert Murdoch), anti-environment, pro war, pro Republican and pro big business. Always has been and always will be. They only pretend concern for people when they can smear a Democrat. Criticism by the WSJ should be considered a badge of honor.

Edwards' Fortress investment

Joe — Sun, 19 Aug 2007 17:20:59 GMT

What a joke. He's either a complete idiot or a lying, manipulating crook. Either way he should be disqulaified from this race. Period

Edwards' Fortress investment

vanreuter, NY NY — Sun, 19 Aug 2007 17:22:24 GMT

Most of Clinton's money comes from finance insurance real estate lawyers lobbyists Most of Obama's money comes from, (surprise) finance insurance real estate lawyers lobbyists, Most of Edwards money comes from; Lawyers and lobbyists.

Finance isnurance re

Clinton, $7,781,040

Obama,$6,717,962

Edwards,$1,661,100

Lawyers and lobbyists

Clinton, $6,582,595

Obama,$5,636,443

Edwards,$6,559,042

Misc. Business interests;

Clinton, $5,184,947

Obama,$4,105,528

Edwards, $877,601

Lawyers and lobbyists make up 10.4% of Clinton's, 9.567% of Obama's and, TWENTY-EIGHT point 32 percent for EDWARDS! contributions

What amount of their cash is not disclosed? meaning;

QUALITY OF DISCLOSURE

FULL DISCLOSURE: Includes full name and occupation / employer

INCOMPLETE DISCLOSURE: Occupation listed gives no indication what the person does for a living. Examples of unacceptably vague disclosures are such "occupations" as "businessman," "entrepreneur," "self-employed," and "executive".

NO DISCLOSURE: No information about the donor's employer and / or occupation was listed.
Clinton; No Disclosure $4,826,468 (10.1%)
Obama; No Disclosure $5,582,517(13.2%)
Edwards;No Disclosure$1,946,519(12.1%)

Clinton has the smallest percentage of undisclosed donors.

Van

Edwards' Fortress investment

Bobby Brooks, Casper Wyoming — Mon, 20 Aug 2007 02:05:16 GMT

If Fortress Investment Group(FIG) stock(FIG) has gone down about 50 % in 2007, can you MSNBC, etc, explain how John Edwards made a a profit ? Exposing $ 16 million to a risky investment that drops large percentages translates to big millions in losses
A loss is not a profit Duh. What next you evolve to do another planted, and slanted story that his losses disqualify him to run for President. Oh yes, George Bush---W, and Soros and his deals in Harken Energy, how could we ever forget those hedgy fund fellows, and the hooks they used to snarl politicans.
Please explain how you compute your profit on Edwards deals with Fortress Investment Group(FIG), or is that too complicated from the likes of MSNBC and GE Capital?

Edwards' Fortress investment

Jamesa — Mon, 20 Aug 2007 12:59:50 GMT

The people backing Edwards here have to be kidding me. I liked John Edwards a lot up until now. His message was making sense to me, but too much sense. I mean here's a guy who all of a sudden found out that poverty and health care are a big issue and not until he runs for President does that become his platform. Now, the air I can get over. Building this new compound, ok but you're pushing it. But investing $16 million, over half his saving into a investment group named Fortress that invests in the sub-prime lending scams that have crippled the poor, and Katrina victims at that is where the line gets drawn. If that doesn't do it for you, how about the fact he took over a $400,000 salary from this company to promote or "advise" them on an industry he obviosuly has no clue about. Worse, he has already accepted over $150,000 in campaign donations from the people who worked in the company. Many of the employees donated the max $2300 including a secretary. Must be a great company.

Edwards' Fortress investment

Ted Janusz, Columbus, Ohio — Sat, 25 Aug 2007 13:31:31 GMT

Here are the Top 10 Mistakes Mortgage Borrowers Make:

1. Not knowing which mortgage fees the borrower can -- and cannot -- negotiate.

2. Choosing and trusting the first loan officer the borrower interviews.

3. Using an interest-only or "payment option" adjustable-rate loan primarily to qualify for a more expensive house than you could normally afford.

4. Thinking the interest rate is always the main thing.

5. Not comparing the final fees listed on the closing documents to the up-front estimates to avoid the lender "packing" the loan with added-on fees without the borrower's knowledge.

6. Not knowing if the mortgage has a pre-payment penalty - until it's too late.

7. Thinking that renting is always just throwing money away.

8. The borrower does not know if he or she is paying a back-end yield spread or Service Release Premium.

9. Paying for mortgage life insurance, credit insurance or other expensive lender add-ons to increase the amount of kickbacks the lender can receive from various vendors.

10. Paying hundreds of dollars to have a company set up a biweekly mortgage payment plan, something the borrower can generally do for herself or himself -- for free.

From the book, "Kickback: Confessions of a Mortgage Salesman," one of the best-selling books on mortgages on Amazon.com.