Joe Trippi: Obscene money game or policies that matter? (letter from the Edwards campaign)

[JohnLocke]

Dear Supporter,

With 7 days left until the end of the quarter, we are closing in on $7 million and everyone is doing their part. Small change for big change is working.

But while thousands of people are building up this campaign, the Washington establishment is trying to write us out of the race. And their reason? They say it's MONEY - they don't think we are raising an obscene enough amount. But the truth is, they don't want people to hear what John Edwards is saying, because it will mean the end of big money's stranglehold over our government.

Our plan calls for raising $9 million this quarter and if we do - no matter what the chatter boxes say - we will be ahead of pace to have the resources we need to compete and win in the early primary states. That's when the Edwards campaign will have our day in the sun, but we need your help to get there.
(...)
If you're ready for big change on the issues that matter, your time is now.

End this war. Take on poverty. Build one America. Work for economic justice. Stand up for truly universal health care. Take action on global warming.

The policies are real. And John Edwards is the candidate who is leading on every issue.

But only you can make it happen.

Please do what you can today to help take the next bold step for real change.

Because in a time when millions have lost faith in Washington, we are building faith in each other. What you do today matters. This campaign we are building together matters.

And your time is now.

Help us reach $9 million in 7 days:

http://johnedwards.com/r/20019/1023406/

Thank you,

-Joe Trippi
Saturday, June 23, 2007

[rodeodance]

1. I so want him to be able to stay in! -

[madfloridian]

2. We donated again tonight.

DU and the media have done to him what they did to Dean in 04.

[ProgressiveAmPatriot]

3. Edwards or Obama should give a prominent speech calling for publicly financed only campaigns

Both Edwards and McCain are starting to get shut out in the MSM because of money. This is a great email, but it is an email asking for money. Edwards needs to turn the money story around. If he announced a plan to make all campaigns for elected office in the federal government publicly financed only, it would be huge in every Q2 money story and give his campaign a lot of press attention along with a big boost. And it is the right thing to do. Money shouldn't equal free speech. Elections are publicly financed in Europe. Candidates can't be bribed over the table in Europe. Edwards should campaign on taking the money out of politics.

I also think it would also help Obama to announce such a proposal, win or lose the money battle. Win or lose on Q2, it would get him tons of great press and feed straight into his "new kind of politics" rhetoric. This is also why Edwards campaigning on this could hurt Obama. Obama could pull off such a proposal because he has gotten the most small donor support. If he finishes second in money, he says he is first in small support and proposes publicly financed only campaigns or contribution limits of 25 or 50 dollars. If he comes in first, he should say I got the most grass roots support, but they shouldn't have to pool their money to compare to large contributers and he could talk about his dinner with small donors, saying, "these type of people should always be at the table when it comes to raising money."

On edit: This election, of course, wouldn't be only publicly financed. I am, of course, talking a law that would forbid private money in future elections and make future elections publicly financed. Or something of the sort, say a 50 dollar limit on contributions or a 25 dollar limit which would get rid of big contributors. And, of course, there would be no more soft money. I'm allowed to dream right?

[calteacherguy]

4. No, the Washington establishment is not trying to write Edwards out of the race.

Talk about playing the victimization and blame game.

[Catchawave]

7. Oh Reilly?

Tell me more :)

[pstans]

5. Small change for big change

Small change for big change is a great fundraising them for Edwards.

[waiting for hope]

6. Kick and Rec!

Already wrote my check!