Edwards memo defends matching funds

Shadow, Hamden, CT — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 19:23:37 GMT

"Clinton and Obama have said they support public financing of all elections but have made no move to accept public financing for this race."

This is incorrect, Obama agreed to matching funds in the general if the Republican nominee does the same, and announced it months ago.

Edwards memo defends matching funds

Dickie Flatts, Charlotte, NC — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 19:41:43 GMT

For years the Republicans have beat is with money. Gore could have won if he had not run out of money and had to go without airtime in states like Ohio for the last 3 weeks of the campaign while the Republicans spent freely.

I will not support Democrats ceding what should be a financial advantage in '08. Let the Republicans feel a financial onslaught from a challenger for once as Clinton drops an avalanch of cash on their head.

Oh and lets be honest. Edwards isn't raising enough money to compete and unlike Romney, or Kerry in '04, Edwards isn't about to put any of his own money up.

Edwards memo defends matching funds

mpp — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 19:45:25 GMT

Forget supporters; The Edwards camp will have to reassure the media that their campaign isn't a one-way road to the second-tier.

http://www.political-buzz.com/

Edwards memo defends matching funds

Mark, Boston — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 19:49:32 GMT

But Obama's not doing it in the primaries, where it counts. Look, I doubt people realize that this election is different from any other in history in terms not just of the obscene amount of money that's been raised but also of the money that's required to compete in a foreshortened primary season.

This is the most brilliant thing Edwards could have done, especially coming off a strong debate performance. He has now truly distinguished himself from the rest of the candidates. Pundits are trying to spin this as a sign of weakness, but it's not weakness; it's leadership. Edwards is now, without a doubt, the most viable alternative to the corporate Clinton machine.

You can bet this has changed the nature of a race that was being determined by media coverage and pocketbooks starpower. Edwards just made it about the American people again.

Edwards memo defends matching funds

veritas — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 20:15:49 GMT

Mark in Boston- Brilliant move it's not- he had no choice- No candidate on the Democratic side can opt for public financing and win against the Republican- sorry- this is too important- Maybe Edwards should start really telling the truth- not just spinning- Surprised he didn't have his wife break the news- This is a trial lawyer who made a fortune doing personal injury law- he had tv commercials soliciting clients for goodness sake-

Edwards memo defends matching funds

Carrie, Eastern Iowa — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 20:25:29 GMT

Mark - He very well may have done all that you said. But he's also made it difficult to compete past January - so he is, essentially, putting all his eggs in the early primary/caucus basket.

Edwards memo defends matching funds

Mark, Boston — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 21:07:52 GMT

You guys are missing the big picture: Edwards is single-handedly turning this race into something that's about more than money. He has been the boldest Democratic in the policy department (releasing substantive plans months before the other candidates) and now he's given himself a talking point that allows him to draw even wider distinctions between him and the lobbby-loving Hillary Clinton.

Edwards will be very competitive in the general: his campaign has already raised more money than any other Democrat in primary history (with the exception, of course, of Clinton and Obama) and has announced that it will earmark funds to keep him competitive. The DNC can pick up the rest. You can bet that any Democrat that wins the nomination will receive an unprecedented amount of support from people who are fed up with the current administration. Republicans can't buy their way out of the mess they've made. (Besides, keep in mind that accepting public financing was common practice for candidates before the system became so rigged with big money--Edwards is all about changing a system that's rigged against regular Americans, and you can bet a lot of people will tune into that message).

Moreover, Edwards matches up better head-to-head against the Republican candidates better than any other Democrat. Ladies and Gents, this horserace just got a whole lot more interesting.

Edwards memo defends matching funds

Sticks Melrod — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 22:00:07 GMT

Edwards is done. He had two chances, Slim and None, and Slim just went out the door.

Edwards memo defends matching funds

Bruce, NV — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 22:04:02 GMT

Mr. Edwards is toast now. Senators Clinton and Obama, and perhaps Biden too, will be able to outspend and outmaneuver him. I think disappointing fundraising numbers will be released next week.

Edwards memo defends matching funds

nuanced — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 23:24:48 GMT

First Read, I did a google pictures search and immediately found many pictures of Edwards without a funny expression. Maybe you could come up with something different?

Edwards memo defends matching funds

Marsha H, Richmond, VA — Sat, 29 Sep 2007 01:08:09 GMT

I saw this well reasoned argument by another blogger about how and why Edwards can manage with public financing:

"The republicans, mid-way through the 2004 cycle, found a loophole that allows the party to spend unlimited hard-money on behalf of the candidate, so long as the ad is on behalf of the entire party as well as the candidate. So that if Edwards becomes the nominee, the DNC can raise and spend unlimited hard money during the summer and fall, so long as the ads mention that he is a democrat, or that he's running against "republicans."

There's little doubt, in this cycle, that our nominee is going to run as a democrat and against republicans.

As for the state caps, thats also only on expenses by the campaign itself. IEs on his behalf don't count against the cap. Given that his strategy, under any circumstance, is going to rely heavily on support from allied groups, esp in his field effort. So its not necessarily going to hurt him as much there either.

As someone who has a hard time supporting even liberal democrats who don't make campaign finance a major issue, I'm actually glad to see him do this. I realize its out of necessity, but the recognition that without some public financing, we're going to have nothing but corporate Democratic candidates forever is an important part of his argument.

Since my small contributions, unlike the maxed-out donors that are powering Clinton, will be 100% matched, I'll give some more now."

I agree-- absolutely.

Edwards memo defends matching funds

Elroy Cohen, Atlanta, Georgia — Sat, 29 Sep 2007 09:59:06 GMT

It's curtains for Johnny and that is unfortunate. I supported him in 2004 and in this cycle also, but he has run so far to the left he gave up the moderation that would have made him our best candidate. With this announcement, it is clear he is no longer a viable candidate. It's a two person race now, but only if Obama wins Iowa. If Clinton wins it, it's all over.

Edwards memo defends matching funds

jerry/corpus christi texas — Sat, 29 Sep 2007 13:57:05 GMT

Time to go find some more high profile medical malpractice cases he can win in less then 90 days and fatten his wallet.

Edwards memo defends matching funds

Common Sense — Sat, 29 Sep 2007 21:18:15 GMT

Too much money in our elections, too many pundits telling you who is winning, who is losing. Money in everybody's pocket.Our primary system is broken.

Edwards memo defends matching funds

Noah, California — Sat, 29 Sep 2007 22:03:10 GMT

I hate to say this, but game over for John Edwards. While I will probably vote for him and think he'd make a pretty good president, this just isn't a good sign.

I'm one hundred percent in favor of public financing for all candidates in all parties, but Edwards can't say one day that the most important factor we should consider when voting for the next president is how honest they are, and then say that he's doing this because it's the right thing to do. He's simply running out of money.

Edwards memo defends matching funds

T-Rex — Sat, 29 Sep 2007 23:39:09 GMT

Let there be light - Edwards is at least as well informed as the democratic constituency .... he knows better than most that despite his supporters he's a long shot at best.... the Clinton machine takes no prisoners and the momentum is building. Edwards and Obama need to start thinking about if and where they will fit into a democratic administration under Hillary. In my opinion the momentum for a female president has been building sub rosa for a long time - you don't think the Clintons are smart enough to decipher the political undertow?? Gift-wrapped from George and Mitt ....
thank you Jesus.

Edwards memo defends matching funds

Joyce Smallwood, Stanton, Ky. — Sun, 30 Sep 2007 08:48:38 GMT

John Edwards is taking a step forward to show that he is really a man of the people. This election is getting nasty with money. All should accept public money..let's have the American people decide the election rather than the fat wallets of some. So many people cannot afford to contribute any money to a campaign especially after 7 years under the republicans. Why turn this thing into a money race? Can't we just chose the best person for the job? I hope we can and do and that person is John Edwards.

Edwards memo defends matching funds

American Voter — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 13:33:58 GMT

Hypocrite.

Edwards memo defends matching funds

John Hutchison, Thayer MO — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 16:30:19 GMT

He's right about the whole "two Americas" bit. He's just wrong about the line of demarcation. There are those of us who will make it on our own or die trying, and those who are always looking for a handout from the government of money stolen from taxpayers. Apparently, Edwards is one of the latter.

If CORPORATE WELFARE is so wrong, how can he believe CANDIDATE WELFARE is some noble principle?