http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/2007/12/31/2007-12-31_barack_obama_fears_my_late_surge_in_iowa.htmlIs Barack Obama worried about a surging John Edwards? That’s the boast from the Edwards camp.
Edwards charged Sunday that Obama has turned up the attack volume because he has been moving up in the polls, just days before Thursday’s Iowa caucuses.
Crowing that thousands of contributors are helping hit a $1.5 million fund-raising goal this week, an upbeat Edwards camp quickly moved to counter Obama’s charge that he may have had improper contact with unions and other third-party groups campaigning and running ads on his behalf.
Obama’s camp circulated a memo this weekend claiming groups supporting Edwards are airing “underhanded” ads, triggering the firefight.
While this is not exactly a kitchen-table issue, those outside groups are nonetheless not allowed to coordinate with candidates.
“I’ve done exactly what I’m allowed to do under the law,” Edwards told CBS’ “Face the Nation.”
Bolstered by a key newspaper endorsement and new Hawkeye State polls that have Edwards either ahead or within striking distance, his campaign suggested its timely rise is giving Obama severe heartburn.
“Every poll since Christmas shows us moving up,” said Edwards’ spokesman Eric Schultz, adding that media reports show the 2004 Democratic vice-presidential nominee is drawing larger-than-usual crowds.