Attorneys Still Bankroll Edwards Effort

[Omaha Steve]

Source: Associated Press

By MIKE BAKER

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) - In his time off between presidential bids, Democrat John Edwards courted Wall Street financial gurus and Main Street labor leaders.

But when it comes to the money backing his second campaign, the wallets of wealthy attorneys who propelled the former trial lawyer's first run for the White House still open more than most. More than half of the Edwards donors who listed their occupations said they are attorneys, and they have given seven times more than any other profession, according to an Associated Press analysis of campaign finance data.


Democratic presidential hopeful former Sen. John Edwards talks to supporters at a house party in Nashua, N.H., Saturday, July 28, 2007. When it comes to money backing his campaign, the wallets of wealthy attorneys who propelled the former trial lawyer's first bid for the White House still open more than most. Of the Edwards donors who listed their occupation, more than half are attorneys. (AP Photo/Cheryl Senter)

By comparison, New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton and Illinois Sen. Barack Obama - Edwards' top Democratic rivals, who both have histories in the courtroom - have raised about 15 percent and 18 percent of their individual donations from attorneys, among those who list their occupation on campaign finance reports.

"If you aren't drawing new contributors, the chances are you're not drawing new voters," said Democratic pollster Peter Hart. "To the degree that Edwards' base remains very refined and coming from one part of the community, he'll probably find the election ahead very challenging."


Read more: http://apnews.excite.com/article/20070801/D8QODQ2G0.html

[Captain Hilts]

1. Is your headline that which the AP supplied? nt

[Omaha Steve]

5. At least from excites AP stories, yes

Just check the link. However story titles get changed by different news sources.

[Captain Hilts]

6. Wow. 'Bankrolling' is such a loaded word. That's the AP for you. nt

[KoKo]

2. There are lots of Good Dem Trial Lawyers disgusted with what's going on...

and if you look at where Barack and Hillary are getting their money...well...I'd rather support someone whose going to PROSECUTE the Evil Doers than the Corporatists/Lobbyists who are going to steal us blind.

I'm not an Edwards supporter...but I had to chime in on this.

[Sarah Ibarruri]

3. Thank God they're supporting the only Dem candidate that speaks for unions

He's also the only one speaking out about the disparity between rich and poor in the U.S.

[DemBones DemBones]

8. Kucinich speaks for unions, still belongs to a union, and has always

championed the poor.

[Sarah Ibarruri]

9. I like Kucinich. nt

[AzDar]

4. He must really frighten them. I like that.

[aquart]

7. Me, too.

It makes for little moments of pleasantness.

[MaineDem]

10. Trial lawyers are a traditional funding source for Democrats

State parties are recipients of much of their money. This is a good thing.

[surfermaw]

11. Funny thing, as of last week Clinton, Edwards and B.O.were about the same in contributions from Lawy...

Clinton was leading in contributions from lawyers and Obama was about the same as Edwards!