This story did it, I'm out of the closet.....I'm now backing John Edwards

[Omaha Steve]

Gore has been #1 on my list since Kerry caved in and forgot every vote is supposed to count. I've been patiently waiting for Gore to start his campaign.

This morning I read this article: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/politics/4914702.html

McCain, Edwards have most at stake in fund raising

By JIM KUHNHENN
Associated Press

WASHINGTON — Republican John McCain and Democrat John Edwards are in danger of losing their place among the leading presidential contenders if their spring fundraising falls too short of earlier totals.

Next weekend marks the end of the latest fundraising period, covering April through June, and the new finance reports will set a benchmark by which to measure the campaigns. Candidates in the crowded field raised a combined $133.5 million over the first three months of the year.

The latest numbers could further cement Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., and Barack Obama, D-Ill., as the masters of political money. In the January-March period, those two White House hopefuls combined to raise more than $50 million; each is believed on track to match or exceed their first-quarter total.

snip

—Edwards' campaign says he will fall $5 million short of his $14 million first-quarter total. On Friday, the former North Carolina senator and 2004 vice presidential nominee sent an appeal to donors that sets a $9 million goal for April through June. While that message probably is an attempt lower expectations, no one disputes that Edwards will fail to keep pace with the earlier total.


I won't keep my head in the sand any longer. There are several excellent candidates that I have thought over very carefully for a long time. I'm supporting John Edwards to WIN IN 2008! To do that, he needs $ and a good showing in Iowa.

I gave $ to both Hillary and Obama last fall through Act Blue and still have my e receipts to prove it. I don't mind women in politics. I voted for Mondale-Ferraro. Hillary has had the right wing press picking at her for over a decade. It has hurt her ability to win. I voted for Jesse Jackson In Nebraska's 88 primary. My two daughters were in the Omaha World Herald front page photo of his rainbow rally in Omaha that May. My wife Marta voted for him in the primary four years earlier. Race isn't an issue. I personally feel his administration will follow the Democratic winner of 2008 & 2012.

To help the Edwards fund raising effort, I'll match up to $250 donated to the Edwards campaign donated through DU's Act Blue page before midnight June 30.

[madfloridian]

1. We just donated again.

Edwards is great with the unions, and is not going to get the big money because of it.

[calteacherguy]

18. I really find the phrase "great with the unions troubling"

because of the implication that union members vote as a block, and we do everything as a group.

I'm a member of the California Teacher's Association, and have been a union representative; who the union endorses does not determine my vote.

[K in FL]

22. Unions are the only voice for labor

I agree with you on the one block vote. But it is sad that our country's past record of trying to kill unions has silenced the American worker's voice. While I despise lobbyists, Congress will never hear us if we don't have a voice in Washington. We need to keep hammering these politicians for increases in the minimum wage, insurance coverage issues, worker safety, etc. I truly wish like much of Europe we had a viable Labor Party in America.

[blondie58]

24. welcome to DU K in FL!

[silverojo]

2. I'm glad you've joined us Edwards supporters!

BTW, I'm originally from Nebraska too, and volunteered to support the Mondale-Ferraro campaign.

IMHO, the right is growing afraid of Edwards, because Bellow-Reilly has been talking trash about him. So that's a good sign that they believe he's very much electable--and very much a threat to the current "f*ck the poor" mentality in politics!

[SusanaMontana41]

55. You're a Nebraskan?

I'm a Nebraskan!

:hi:

And I support Edwards, too.

[gasperc]

3. Edwards will be the next President

If Gore doesn't jump in

[wildhorses]

4. yes, i agree.

still hoping for a gore/clark ticket but, after that i am liking edward's chances. wonder who he would like as veep?

[Triana]

9. I hope so!!! Going to donate to Edwards NOW...(again)

...I've been supporting him since he was 'IN'.

[Divine Discontent]

31. wow.

how come there are SO many of us that seem to think just alike? I mean, I too want a Gore Clark ticket as my first choice, but I REALLY like Edwards and his wife, Elizabeth. It seems there's more of us than the media lets on with their 35-40% saying they want Hillary, and another quarter to Obama... I find these #'s a bit unbelievable, even if "true", they'll deflate over time. Hillary's got too much baggage I think that the Repubs will expose and viciously attack worse than Kerry, and Kerry didn't have hardly ANY baggage imo, they just twisted what he had to drum it up for the rethug voters.

www.cafepress.com/warisprofitable <----- Gore/Clark & more

[illinoisprogressive]

5. I sincerely wish good luck to you and I hope Edwards does well.

[jsamuel]

6. Thanks for making the decision. we can all use the help. I donated already, but I will consider

donating again.

[rodeodance]

7. Edwards was my choice last time and guess still is (I think). Good luck---Hope

you get a taker.

[Omaha Steve]

8. DU Edwards donation link

http://www.actblue.com/page/du-presidential

There is $94 in the fund as of now. I didn't check it before I posted about the matching funds. Duh.

[Stop Cornyn]

10. Edwards's ideas are half as good as Dennis Kucinich's but twice as good as the rest of the field's

to a progressive voter like me.

Since we have a March primary in Texas and our votes will have more of an ideological and less practical effect, I'm free to vote my conscience and support Kucinich, but if Texas had a January primary, the tactical and electablity advantages of an Edwards candidacy would weigh heavy with me because here in Texas, an Edwards ticket would mean real gains down-ballot (as contrasted, for example, with Hillary, who would be a great president if elected but who would draw Texan Republicans to the polls like no one else).

[FloridaJudy]

15. Agreed

Kucinich is my favorite candidate, but Edwards is my second. It's sad that DK doesn't have a better chance. The MSM has branded him as some sort of wild-eyed radical, whereas I feel as if Dennis is promoting the kind of policies that anyone with an ounce of compassion should support. I'll continue to support him, just to keep his ideas up there on the podium.

But Edwards isn't a bad second choice. I could happily live with an Edwards victory.

[freesqueeze]

11. I'm Very Close

Edwards says the things I believe in...economic fairness...battling the growing gap between the haves and have nots.

I'm still undecided but Edwards is making more sense all the time.



Speed of lightening
Roar of thunder
Fighting those who
rob or plunder

[DearAbby]

12. Kicking this....

[JohnLocke]

13. Thank you!

Welcome to the campaign! :D

[huskerlaw]

14. I'm going to an Edwards fundraiser

in Brentwood on Monday night.

Welcome to the campaign!!

:woohoo:

[ninkasi]

16. K&R

I'll donate to Edwards for now, but if Gore announces his intention to run, then my money will go to support him. We need the absolute very best person to staunch the bleeding that the Bush presidency has caused.

One reason I want Gore to declare his candidacy is that people like me, with very limited funds, must be very careful in how we commit our money. Once I've donated a certain amount, a man, even of Gore's quality, who steps in at the last moment, might not get anything from me, because by then I'll be maxed out.

[Seabiscuit]

27. Gore/Edwards - my dream ticket for 8 years. Then Edwards/Whoever another 8. n/t

Until Gore decides to throw his hat in the ring (if so, probably next September-October), my money's on (and to) Edwards.

I'm also donating to Kucinich and Gravel to keep them around - we need to hear their voices in the debates.

[ninkasi]

33. Edwards is the only one

I'll donate to for now. If Gore enters the race, then he'll get my money. The others can forget about financial help from me.

[Seabiscuit]

36. We're basically on the same page...

I just love Dennis Kucinich's gutsiness, despite his lack of media appeal (all his talk of "peace" this and "peace" that and "Peace Department" replacing the Defense Department has never helped his image) and (ex) Senator Gravel's in-your-face gutsiness is a thing of beauty, despite his coming across as a bit of a nut case. I just want to keep them around, and they're not making much in donations. I want them there disrupting the debates next fall.

But when it comes to a viable candidate I can live with, it's Edwards and only Edwards for now. So he's getting the lion's share of my donations. We'll just all have to keep holding our breath about Al Gore.

My funds are limited as well, perhaps not as much as yours, or I'd only donate to Edwards. I'm also being a bit stingy this year, as I spent the max supporting Howard Dean in 2003 and local Francine Busby (50th Congressional District) in 2005-2006. Both candidates lost. And I'm feeling a bit disillusioned.

[NMDemDist2]

17. thanks for the reminder

I'm off to donate right now

[waiting for hope]

19. It's great to have you on the Edwards Train Steve!

K&R!!!!

:bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :hi:

[ultraist]

20. Wise choice!

Here's what the President of ACORN said today about John Edwards:

http://www.acorn.org/index.php?id=4174&a mp;tx_ttnews=19141&tx_ttnews=8 306&cHash=963e4cd12d

ACORN President Says Edwards an Ally in Struggle Against Poverty

ACORN's President Maude Hurd issued the following statement following publication of the New York Times front-page piece June 22, "In Aiding Poor, Edwards Built Bridge to 2008." Press stories that question Senator John Edwards' commitment to ending poverty require a strong response from those of us who spend our lives in that fight. ACORN is the nation's largest grassroots community organization working to eliminate poverty in America.

As ACORN's president, I can personally attest that Senator Edwards has been a steadfast ally in this struggle - from raising wages to rebuilding the Gulf Coast. One of the best ways to end poverty is to pay workers fair wages. In the summer of 2005, I traveled with Senator Edwards to cities and states across the country, launching ballot initiative campaigns to raise the minimum wage above the shamefully low $5.15 an hour.

While Senator Edwards could have chosen to do anything else with his time, he chose to spend it on the road with low-wage workers and their allies who were fighting to lift workers out of poverty. Edwards worked directly with grassroots community-faith-labor coalitions on the ground, leading rallies and press conferences to galvanize public support and working outside the spotlight to help organize support and raise funds to bring wage increase proposals to the ballot. Last November, voters rewarded the efforts of Edwards, ACORN and our allies by resoundingly approving six state ballot measures to raise the minimum wage. As a result, more than 1.5 million of the country's lowest-paid workers will get a raise. The ballot measures were just the most high-profile victories in a year that saw an unprecedented 17 states raise their minimum wage - many for the first time - including Edwards' home state of North Carolina.

This movement in the states helped create the public pressure for a long-overdue increase in the federal minimum wage, which was passed last month and will help another 12.5 million low-income workers make ends meet. In addition to his work to raise wages, Senator Edwards has made an ongoing commitment to work with ACORN and others in the struggle to rebuild the Gulf Coast and help Katrina Survivors return home. In making poverty the defining theme of his campaign, Senator Edwards has shown his true colors. It is a sad statement that someone working not only to raise the issue of poverty, but to offer ambitious solutions and his put his feet on the ground to end it -- is attacked rather than applauded.

[ChiciB1]

21. I'm Going To A Grassroots Fundraiser In Tampa This Coming Friday...

I sent the message out to as many people as I could. Regardless of ALL the negative posts here at DU from fellow DEMOCRATS, I still feel he understands more than many other candidates what it feels like not to be able to make ends meet.

I do realize he HAS made it in America, he is a millionaire at least, but he worked hard for it and I feel comfortable supporting him. Too many think he's just a "pretty guy" but for me it's much more than that! I once felt Hillary was the candidate we needed, but she really isn't who I thought she was. And it's too bad that CORPORATE AMERICA keeps pushing her upon us.

But America is no longer the country it once was either!!

[cynthia]

23. donated again to help John wrap up the quarter

He is the strongest candidate in my mind, although I hate that the race has started so early and is going to drag on for another year and a half!

[ddbaj]

26. Edwards is awesome.

Out of the "top tier" Edwards is the man. I like Obama and would vote Clinton above ANY repub but Edwards is the guy. Now, I'm a clarkie above all, but from the current field I would LOVE an Edwards/Richardson or Edwards/Obama ticket.

I think Edwards/Richardson could get us all of the Kerry "blue" states plus some new gains in the midwest and southeast, possible win even WITHOUT Ohio, though I think Edwards can take that too. Edwards/Obama would be a lot more dependant on Ohio/Florida but I think it can be done.

[NastyDiaper]

25. I'm still holding for Gore, but

I have supported Dodd and DK campaigns too. Nothing wrong with your decision.

[xxqqqzme]

28. another donation for you to match.

great idea - I've been saying I would give $$$$ to Edwards campaign, you gave me a good reason to do it now.

[FourScore]

29. My choices: Gore first, Edwards second.

Thanks for matching the donations, Omaha Steve! You're a good person for doing that.

[madmunchie]

30. Edwards has been campaigning to be POTUS the longest of any

of the candidates - He has just about moved into Iowa couple of years ago-

To me this shows that he is a WEAK candidate, not a strong one. Remember most if not all of the other candidates are actually working for THE PEOPLE while they are campaigning to be POTUS. Edwards isn't and never really was. He has been a Professional campaigner.... He knows how to deliver good speeches and he looks good, other than that, his very very short record as Senator (which out of the 6 years, he was busy campaigning for at least 2 of those years) His voting record on most of the key issues shows an appalling lack of good judgment and his recent statements on Iran tell me he hasn't really learned anything in the last couple of years.

He is easily the least experienced and the most lacking in a good record of decisions made on this nation's behalf. But go ahead, throw your money towards him because he ISN'T and I mean ISN'T exciting and motivating other voters in the normal way, to send him money.

It is way too early to worry and be upset about someone fizzling out, this is precisely the time that weaker candidates should fizzle out. That means better candidates will rise to the top and the pack will eventually start to thin. Which is what we want....right?

I don't see him really going anywhere anyway. When Gore gets into the race this fall, Edwards will be finished AND that is where my money will go...a candidate that has been on RIGHT side of many issues that I hold near and dear and a Candidate that will be ready to lead this country in the right direction.

[saracat]

32. Why are you dissing in this Edwards thread? It seems to me this thread

is about those who support or like Edwards.But whatever.Some just like to rain on parades.

[Catchawave]

41. Good catch saracat....

:toast:

[madmunchie]

44. How about mentioning the fact that throwing good money away

isn't a good idea right now? If. after YEARS of campaigning and positioning himself, he is not able to raise as much money as he needs.....well maybe that is the writing on the wall that needs to be read before somebody tries to start a thread to generate donations to a candidate that isn't really doing well and a candidate that doesn't have the experience and/or qualifications to be POTUS. His only real qualification is his ego. Save your money for the real candidate down the road and for the real fight that we all have ahead of us.

Hey, if Edwards pulls a rabbit out of a hat and does start doing better down the road - go for it, by that time the money he gets will actually mean something.

[saracat]

46. Thats just your opinion. History proves otherwise.Kennedy ran for president once before as did

Nixon and Reagan.They lost and won another time! The only reason he is having a hard time with money is that so many candidates are sucking up the oxygen, but that will change. And Edwards'is a "real candidate". And this is a "real fight".

[madmunchie]

56. Kennedy was in the Congress for years (1946), in Senate since 1953 and Reagan was a Governor

from 1967 to 1975, before they ran for POTUS, they both had TONS of experience in Government - at least in comparison to JE. HISTORY shows that.

JE has been actively positioning himself and campaigning longer than most of the other candidates and SHOULD be way ahead of - say Richardson (who recently entered the race) - in raising money for his campaign..... There is more than the reason of "...so many candidate...." Look at Obama, just recently got in and look at the money he has already raised.

One of the strongest things said to be good about JE is his "charisma", well, hate to tell you, that isn't looking so good right now. PLUS I don't want people to get caught up in the "moment" and donate money now and not be able to donate money later, when it will really be going for something that will count.

Why is Edwards a "real candidate", but on second thought, maybe that is all he will ever be...."a real candidate" Because, so far, his record - or lack thereof, as a public servant is NOTHING to be proud of.

As far as this being a "real fight", yeah it is, that is why I will wait until fall and hopefully have a candidate that has the credentials to actually be qualified to do a heavyweight's job, because this country is in real trouble, and Edward's past "record" has shown poor judgment in many many areas. When his vote counted to represent us, he voted for: The Patriot Act, co sponsored and voted for IWR: Edwards, did not champion or sponsiniate any poverty legislation while he was in the Senate; His words that ....all options must be left on the table so that Iran doesn't get any nuclear weapons.... are so much like words that warned against Iraq and nuclear weapons, how can and Democrat really support this guy????? Facts prove that he isn't a good leader.

[BrainGlutton]

34. I support Edwards for one reason only . . .

He his the only Dem frontrunner willing to talk about "Two Americas." I.e., the necessity of class war (though he won't use the phrase).

[Alcibiades]

35. Edwards may be rich, but he remembers where he's from

unlike some who seem anxious to sell out to the highest bidder.

Edwards is the candidate we need for progressive social change. I think his tremendous charisma would be a great asset in helping break through the partisan divide and getting many so-called "values voters" back on board on the basis of a commonsense appeal to social justice.

[LSK]

37. I am waiting on Gore...

I like Edwards but I am not 100% committed to him yet. He is my #1 if Gore doesnt run.

Meanwhile, I just donated $50 to the DNC.

[Catchawave]

38. You Go Steve !

Always an inspiration to me, no matter who you were supporting in the past. Guess I never noticed because your posts were never mean spirited or shallow. JE is very lucky to have your support :toast:

[Independent Democrat]

39. Edwards and Obama are splitting the vote to Clinton's benefit.....

One of those two guys (the one who is in third place) should have the common decency to drop out of the race sometime down the line.

[jsamuel]

43. I am almost sure that won't happen before Iowa.

[Just-plain-Kathy]

40. It doesn't bother you that, when Lieberman needed co-sponsors to the IWR, Edwards was there for him?

Edwards acts as if he took the high road by admitting he made a "mistake". He more than any other democratic candidate helped give PNAC their Middle Eastern war.

When I look at him I can't help but think how he's such a phoney.

[madmunchie]

45. You and me both, how about his supporting the Patriot Act? How about

the fact that he took how many years to admit his mistake on cosponsoring and then voting for the IWR???? I have found Edwards supporters to be really adept at ignoring facts.

It also makes me realize that there are fools in the Democratic Party as well as the Republican Party.

All I hear is "I like his positions....I like what he says....what he stands for.....Hell he is rich, if he is so for the underprivileged, he can do much in the private sector for them. He doesn't need to be POTUS.

And talking about his stances for the poor, what legislation did he champion while he was in the Senate for the poor??????

He is a phony and most of my friends know it and aren't swayed by empty promises, pretty speeches and a pretty face - we are looking for SUBSTANCE and authenticity....sounds like you are to.

[saracat]

47. Blah Blah Blah! Why don't you find another thread and stop dissing those that support Edwards?

Rapidly dissing any candidate is NOT an effective way to gain the Democratic nomination for whatever candidate you support.Or perhaps you don't support a Democratic candidate?.

[Just-plain-Kathy]

48. Don't you want the best democratic candidate to win the primary?

Why do we have to settle for only the candidates who kiss up to corporate America, or in Edwards' case...Lieberman/Bush?

[Catchawave]

52. Edwards is the best candidate to win the Election !

Didn't Al Gore choose Lieberman as a running mate? Are you dissing Gore too?

[Just-plain-Kathy]

57. I honestly don't know why Gore picked Lieberman. I always thought it had...

...to do with Gore wanting to distance himself from Clinton. Lieberman was a dem who bashed Clinton for having sex in the oval office and then lieing about it.

As far as Lieberman is concern...I think he jumped ship when Gore backed Dean in '04. It had to hurt.

[madmunchie]

54. OR perhaps you don't believe in Free Speech?

[waiting for hope]

53. Let's see what he sponsored:

S.3228 : A bill to promote the development of affordable, quality rental housing in rural areas for low-income households.


Check the rest out here:

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2007/3/26/92758/1809

[Beaverhausen]

42. Steve- You rock!

I donated a nice chunk the other day to attend a fundraiser in Los Angeles that John(and hopefully Elizabeth) will be attending.

We need him in this race for the issues he raises that no other candidates are talking about.

[democrat2thecore]

49. I'm leaning to Edwards too. -nt

[flpoljunkie]

50. Thank you, Elizabeth Edwards, for speaking the truth about gay marriage. It threatens no one.

[mzteris]

51. "I don't mind women in politics."

Well gee, that's good.


OK - so you probably didn't mean it that way (at least I fervently hope not) - but - it just struck me "wrong" - ya know? Maybe something a tad more heartfelt and supportive of women? (Not saying you have to back HRC - just women in general.)

[Starbucks Anarchist]

58. Yep, odd statement.

Also, the "race isn't an issue" comment seemed out of place, too.

[ThomCat]

59. That is a very odd statement to use.

It smacks of condescension. As if "allowing" a women to be in politics is a magnanimous, tolerant choice that should be applauded.

Does anyone say that they don't mind that trial lawyers in politics? Or that they don't mind men in politics? Or Millionaires?

[Book Lover]

60. Yep. Isn't that ... special?

How nice to know that should I choose to serve my country as an elected official, and should voters choose me over my opponents, the OP doesn't mind. What a relief!

[ProgressiveAmPatriot]

62. Yeah, I don't really care how me meant it, it's offensive

Someone pointed out in another thread that it took until post 50 or so for someone to point this out. How could 50 people miss this? What is wrong with this picture?

[Stop Cornyn]

61. Thanks for posting this.