Edwards says Iowa victory would erase his money gap for the longer haul

[Nutmegger]

DENISON, Iowa: Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards predicts his financial disadvantage against Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama would be quickly overcome if he were to pull off a victory in the Iowa presidential caucuses Thursday.

"It's just reality that if you win the Iowa caucuses, the money pours in," Edwards said in an Associated Press interview Sunday. "It's almost like you cannot process it because it comes in so fast. There will be plenty of money to run the campaign."

After months of being seemingly stuck in third place in most polls in the 2008 Democratic presidential field, Edwards has climbed into a virtual tie in recent surveys and has drawn large, enthusiastic crowds on a well-trod route through the state since his second-place finish here in 2004.

The former senator, restrained from using his personal fortune by his decision to accept public campaign financing, has raised far less money and runs a smaller organization in Iowa than his chief rivals for the Democratic nomination.

Full article: http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/12/31/america/NA-POL-US-Edwards-Long-Haul.php

[FrenchieCat]

1. Honest John is lying to you......

St. John is restrained due to his accepting matching funds, and no matter how much in "funds" flow in, he won't be able to go over the legal spending limits already alloted until August 29, 2008.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x3832347


The fact that he won't fess up about the facts of his self impossed financial situation and instead seem to be saying "Don't worry, be happy" is deeply troubling. :(

[JDPriestly]

3. As a plaintiff's attorney, he had to go up against teams of lawyers

who had far more resources than he did. If he pulls a win in Iowa or even comes close, it will be because he is very smart in timing things and using his resources wisely.

As I have learned in my life: It is not what you have but what you do with what you have that counts. We all have far more resources than we realize. Edwards was not a spoiled brat. He grew up doing a lot with little. That sticks with you. I see that in my chldren. We had very little when they were small, and, as a result, they manage money very well. Edwards knows what he needs and what he does not need.

[FrenchieCat]

4. Yeah...sure....OK......we'll see.......

and then we can cry together.

I'm sure you'll be giving up sex for him too, right? ;)
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=3912672&mesg_id=3912672

[countmyvote4real]

9. I don't get you.

What gulag are you in? Who do you perceive holds the keys to that perceived gulag?

You are one of he most tenacious detractors of Edwards, and yet I can’t recall if you are for Obama or HRC (same difference for me) or are you pure Kuch? (It’s not sticking, but it’s resonating.)

And your problem is…

[lisainmilo]

5. Exactly!

:)

[emilyg]

10. I thought he grew up comfortable middle class.

[JDPriestly]

11. He grew up in a thrifty family. He talks about that.

He talks about how his grandmother cooked meals and then worked in the mill, how is grandfather who was disabled worked in the mill. He was not "poor," i.e., homeless. He had a stable home, but he worked for what he got. They did not have money to waste. He went to the state school. He worked. Depends on what you call middle class. Middle class encompasses a wide range of lifestyles and incomes -- then and now.

[Hieronymus]

14. You should do some research .. I'm amazed when people who vote, know

so little.

[emilyg]

24. I did.

Read his family (father) were comfortable.

[Hieronymus]

13. Why would you be deeply troubled?

[antiimperialist]

2. Yeah, but he would have 4 days to sway voters in NH

I don't think all the money in the world can do it

[earthlover]

20. Kerry went from nothing in NH to the overwhelming victor after Iowa

Kerry had suspended his NH campaign because he didn't have money. He remortgage the house to fund his desperation pitch for Iowa in a last ditch effort. It worked.

If Edwards wins in Iowa he will be likely to win NH too.

[cali]

21. not the same situation

Kerry was a "favorite son in NH". Edwards is not in that felicitous position.

[earthlover]

22. Kerry was nowhere in the polls in NH

He had stopped his campaign. He got an immediate HUGE bump from Iowa. All the media attention was on him and edwards, but especially kerry. NH was shaping up to be a contest between Dean and Clark....then came Iowa and everything changed.

Whoever wins Iowa, if indeed there IS a victor instead of a tie, is going to get a huge bump as well. If it is basically a three way tie, then nobody gets a bump, they all survive, and NH becomes very interesting.

[weeve]

6. FrenchieCat ...

... is truly dishonoring that beautiful woman in his/her avatar.

Even Jesse Jackson has recently said that John Edwards is the only candidate truly addressing the real issues that affect African-Americans, the poor, and displaced.

So Frenchie ... which corporation's payroll are YOU on ?!?

[Cameron27]

7. The beautiful woman in Frenchie's avatar

would appreciate the truth being posted.

"St. John is restrained due to his accepting matching funds, and no matter how much in "funds" flow in, he won't be able to go over the legal spending limits already alloted until August 29, 2008."

What's incorrect about this statement? Edwards is limited in the amount of money he can spend under the restrictions placed on public financing and matching funds.

[cali]

8. Who the fuck do you think you are to say something like that?

go cheney yourself, pumpkin.

[JDPriestly]

12. I think more candidates should go for public financing.

I hope Edwards wins in part because I would like to see a candidate who accepts public financing win the election. That would be a first step toward proving that public financing is good for our system and good for the candidates.

[Hieronymus]

15. Yes, Edwards is sticking to his guns, as the progressive in the race.

[cali]

16. Edwards originally said he would NOT accept public funding

and it was only when he was in dire straits financially that he changed his tune. That's been amply documented here.

[Hieronymus]

17. I'd like to see that link.

[cali]

19. no problem:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=132&topic_id=3906085

[hayu_lol]

18. Edwards in dire straits? Not on your life...

Obviously he is not above bending the truth when it benefits him.

He is worth some $50 million. Just built a house that is 28,000 square feet of enclosed space.

He chose to take the funding that comes with limits. He has to live with it.

Poor John. Uh huh!

[Stop Cornyn]

23. More important than erasing the money gap, it would erase the media attention gap for the next 5 day