Sigh. Is my candidate running out of money? Or is this out of "leadership"?

[PresidentObama]

I have to assume Edwards isn't raising as much money as he's spending. Edwards has ran a great campaign thus far, and he's got the best ideas. But my first sign of trouble was when his poll numbers started slipping in Iowa, and now this?!?

I like Edwards spin on this though. It was smart to turn it around, and proclaim your showing leadership in taking public financing. If that's his way of keeping his campaign afloat, go with it!! After all, Kerry was dead in the water once. And he won the nomination!!

But I have to think the Edwards people are desperate to find their first move. An incredible debate performance last night was the first step back on the road to victory.

But whats next for my candidate?

I wish I knew!

(I fully expect the other Edwards supporters to attack me for not supporting him enough, and telling the truth instead of facing reality. And I expect Obama and Hillary supporters to rejoice that I, the Edwards guy, is throwing my hands up saying what the hell is next?)

[Adelante]

1. None of it comes easy, sweetie

Here, especially for you :hug:

[PresidentObama]

5. No it doesn't. No Kerry. No Gore. No Clark. Edwards is having money issues. Sigh.

This isn't my election so far.

:hug:

[rinsd]

2. He had over $13M in cash at the end of the 2nd Q.

While his 3rd Q haul may not be as impressive as his previous two he should still have plenty of dough.

[PresidentObama]

3. But enough to compete with Clinton and Obama? That's the real question.

I have to speculate he wasn't raising it as fast paced as those two, and got worried about looking like the weakest link. Like I said, Kerry was dead in the water once and he came back and won the nomination. And Edwards isn't even at that point yet, his campaign is still going pretty well. But this is troublesome in my eyes.

[tekisui]

7. The way Edwards gets in front of the issues

and lays his plans out before others, I don't think he needs as much money. He is acting like a real leader. I hope that it was his choice to go with public money, out of confidence.

HRC only has one direction to go. Down. I think Edwards will be standing tall as the others fall away. Dean was the inevitable, too.

[PresidentObama]

10. "Dean was inevitable, too" So true. The 2004 election gives me hope.

Dean was up. Kerry was down, way down.

And within a matter of months, Kerry was up and the nominee. And Dean was out.

My best advice to Edwards: Hold on and don't give up in fighting for what you believe in. If he continues to speak from the heart, he'll do just fine. Out of all the candidates, Edwards has been the boldest and I think the most honest candidate. He's admitted mistakes, and proven he can stand up as a leader and say "I was wrong." And most importantly, he hasn't given us focus group tested rhetoric and has given us big ideas and a bold vision for our country.

No matter how much money Edwards has, and I'm sure he still has quite a bit, I'll still support him until the bitter end. I didn't give up on Kerry in 2003 when he was slipping, and it paid off when he won the nomination. Maybe lightning will strike twice for this Democrat ;)

[LittleClarkie]

14. And Kerry had to mortgage the house he owned with Teresa to keep going

Leave it up to the voters. All he has to do is get to Iowa and make a good showing. That should take care of any money issues.

[PresidentObama]

15. True. We'll see what happens.

We'll see if his campaign is tough enough to take all the hits it's been taking lately.

[surfermaw]

13. Tekisui You got it, he will rise as the others fall

[rinsd]

12. It can be a bit discouraging

But you already seem to be finding silver linings.

While he may not raise at the rate of Clinton or Obama he still has more than enough money to get his message out.

[gateley]

4. Money certainly is a key factor in campaigning -- the LACK of it is what is a

big reason why my guy isn't more visible, in my opinion.

Edwards is still up there -- don't despair. We ALL have to remember that this is a process, things may swing back and forth, and we have no way of knowing at this point what a role any of the indicators along the way will mean in the long run.

Hang in there --

[NC_Nurse]

6. I think he did well last night.

Maybe the fact that he's taking public funding wil turn out to be a good thing, reinforcing the "man of the people" angle.
I hope so. :hug:

It's early yet. Things could change radically by the time actual VOTING occurs. :-)

[PresidentObama]

8. I hope you're right. He did very well last night.

That's my candidate :)

Either way, win or lose, I'm proud to support John. He's ran a very good campaign, and I'll stick with him until the bitter end. His support is still massively strong in Iowa.

[goodgd_yall]

9. I'm feeling optimistic about Edwards

I think I'll put my money where my politics are and make a donation to him as a sign of confidence.

[PresidentObama]

11. Good. Glad to hear that. I just donated again to him.

[laureloak]

16. You're not much of a supporter.

Edwards has always managed his campaign finances carefully. I guess you'd be more supportive of a wild spender who sold their soul to corporate devils to get the nod.

BTW, since you're so against public funding, tell me why running for president should be about who can raise the most money?

[PresidentObama]

17. Who the hell are you to tell me I'm not much of a supporter?

Edwards and people within his campaign have both said they wouldn't do public financing unless Senator Clinton did. Trippi said back when he was on Dean's campaign that public financing makes a Presidential campaign very difficult, and described it as almost a death wish. I understand Edwards has a great message...I know, I support the guy. But I'm also in tune with reality. I know this will be difficult. It was difficult for Kerry when I supported him back in 2003, and he had problem after problem. It can be done, and if anyone can pull this off--it's John Edwards!!

But I have every right to be worried about my candidates campaign, and the pace they are raising money. If you want to attack me, I can't stop you. We have enough childishness here on DU, go right ahead.