WP: Edwards, Out Courting Labor, Banks Goodwill but Little Cash

[DeepModem Mom]

Edwards, Out Courting Labor, Banks Goodwill but Little Cash
By Chris Cillizza
Sunday, May 21, 2006; Page A05

Since leaving office in 2004, John Edwards has traded political fundraising for the picket line.

The former North Carolina senator has spent much of the past 17 months courting the labor community -- a powerful force within the Democratic party -- while devoting significantly less time to the nuts and bolts of collecting campaign cash to fuel his 2008 presidential ambitions....

***

This year, Edwards has spoken to the national conventions of the AFL-CIO and the Change to Win Coalition, a group of unions that broke from the AFL-CIO last year. He has also shown a willingness to throw himself on the front lines, joining Teamsters President James Hoffa on a picket line at the University of Miami in April....He meets with small groups of local labor leaders as he travels the country. Anna Burger, president of Change to Win, said Edwards regularly huddles with members of her group; Edwards "can name leaders in virtually any state and tell you when he last spoke to them," according to one Democratic source with long ties to organized labor.

But Edwards's intense focus on seeking labor's backing has come at a cost -- literally. Unlike his competitors for the 2008 nomination, Edwards has largely forgone fundraising for his One America leadership political action committee. At the end of March, Edwards had $7,000 left in the PAC's coffers and had not made a single donation from it to a Democratic candidate seeking office this November.

His allies argue that rather than raise money for himself and then dole it out to candidates, Edwards has adopted a more direct approach -- appearing at events that have collected more than $6 million for a variety of office-seekers. Edwards's fundraising strategy is also aimed at giving his donors, who have been asked to give almost nonstop since he was elected to the Senate in 1998, a break before the 2008 presidential race begins in earnest.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/05/20/AR2006052000966.html

[AmericanDream]

1. kick

[saltpoint]

2. A lot of heavy money people may hold back on investing in

One America because if its tenets are implemented, their tax breaks may dwindle.

Edwards' vision of economic democracy is not a Wall Street dream landscape by any means.

And that's to Edwards' credit.

Principal vs. principle.

I expect as the 06 elections end and the new Congress is seated, that the money will begin to flow to various candidates. Edwards garnered 32% of the Iowa caucus vote on about $ 17.34 in 2004; my guess is he'll be a lot better funded next time if he runs.

[karynnj]

6. $17.34

I think he may also feel that collecting money for himself for 2008 before November 2006 passes would be wrong. He should be commended on this.

[AmericanDream]

11. All other candidates are doing it though: Warner, Clinton, Bayh

And Kerry has great leftovers from 04. But like you said, it is a good thing that he is concentrating on raising money for other democrats and activists.

[karynnj]

14. I compliment Edwards, and you respond by critisizing Kerry?

Kerry gave a huge amount of the 2004 leftovers to the DNC, DCCC and the DSCC, He also has raised over 7 million dollars for 2006 candidates - more than ANYONE else. Kerry's funraising letters have been very very clearly for 2006 candidates. The money goes either to the candidates directly or (if the respondent chooses) to KAP, Kerry's leadership PAC that distributes the money. Additionally he has appeared with candidates in 30+ states on weekends and Senate breaks. There is no way to reasonably fault Kerry for not doing enough. (Ramn Emmanuel, who clearly supports Clinton, said he could use 5 Kerrys)

I sincerely complimented Edwards on his priotities on this - but I can see I should avoid even that - because in response all you did was attack Kerry. So, perhaps it's better for me just to stay away and not compliment Edwards.

[saltpoint]

15. Agreed. He's keeping his goal at One America in clear sight. /nt

[Texas_Kat]

17. Heavy backers of One America have always been the trial lawyers

It's easy to look up. Just go dig through the FEC reports. BTW, his contributions have come mostly in $5000 chunks in the past.

[1932]

19. You say that like it's a bad thing. You know what trial lawyers want?

A level playing field in the court room between corporations and the people they rip off.

[saltpoint]

22. Agreed. Many of Edwards' clients couldn't afford to take on big

corporate legal arms on their own. Trial lawyers make brains and talent available against the big-muscled corporate heavies.

[saltpoint]

21. Abraham Lincoln was a trial lawyer. I've many contacts in that

community. I don't consider "trial lawyer" to be a perjorative.

[Sarah Ibarruri]

3. I love this man. nt

[1932]

4. He spent a lot of his money on the New Orleans spring break rebuild pro-

ject. I remember reading at that time that he spent almost all the money his PAC had on that.

[Texas_Kat]

5. So who's paying for his 17 staff members?

Last FEC report I checked, he had that many staffers on the payroll.

[Superman Returns]

7. i really like Edwards

If it wasnt for national security prominence in the 2004 election Edwards would have been my guy. Hell, even still I was pulling for the N.C. Senator. He is what we need; a person who doesnt come across as "liberal" or "elitist" yet isnt a DLC sell out and instead embraces populist values. Basically, hes someone middle america can trust. Most importantly, he really is a powerless vs. the power kinda guy. However, he really needs to get more in his resume if he thinks hes gonna run again.

[1932]

9. How much did that FEC report say that he raised?

[1932]

10. How much did that FEC report say that he raised?

[Texas_Kat]

13. Contributions and expenses

Net Contributions (other than loans) = 255,723.69
Transferred from Administrative / Voter Drive = 26,000.00
Total receipts = 286,841.71

Net Operating Expenditures = 271,770.52

This expense must have been catering in New Orleans: 51,667.00

Paid to:
Impact Martketing & Promotions
P.O. Box 1843
Sulphur, Louisiana 70664

Purpose of Disbursement: Auto traveling/Catering
Date of Event = 05/01/2005

[1932]

18. So, does that answer your question?

[Catchawave]

8. He's gotten a lot of great press lately....

...priceless :patriot:

[OzarkDem]

12. Labor wanted Gephardt last time, remember?

Its not as if they have a good record for choosing presidential candidates.

[1932]

23. Yes. Democrats should ignore labor.

???

[FrenchieCat]

16. Very nice, BUT.....

Edwards's intense focus on seeking labor's backing has come at a cost

Why is Edwards' focus on getting labor to back him? Shouldn't his focus be on election 2006? :shrug:

[1932]

20. Not sure the two are mutually exclusive.

"Edwards has adopted a more direct approach -- appearing at events that have collected more than $6 million for a variety of office-seekers."

And it's never to early to side with Americans who work for a living.