Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Politics : Politics for Pros- moderated -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: LindyBill who wrote (30488)	2/20/2004 3:43:29 AM
From: LindyBill	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 793917

Financial Picture for Edwards By CARL HULSE - Times on the Trail Blog Picture two Americas. In one there is a Democratic presidential campaign that has plenty of cash, is pulling in more and is not bound by rules on how much it spends or where it spends it. In the other, the campaign is scraping for every dollar it can get, and somewhere in that America tonight, its candidate could go to bed hungry. Well, maybe not hungry, as John Edwards describes a 10-year-girl in his "two Americas" stump speech. But the basic circumstances still apply as the North Carolina senator tries to catch John Kerry. The big issues for Mr. Edwards as he campaigns may be jobs and trade. But inside his organization, an overriding concern is making sure he has enough money to compete in the expensive megastate March primaries in places like New York, California and Florida. To reassure backers, the Edwards campaign is putting out regular updates on its financial position. On Thursday afternoon, the campaign reported it had raised over $700,000 on Wednesday alone, building on the senator's strong showing in Wisconsin. About $450,000 came off the Internet, with an average of $80 per giver. "We believe we're going to be adequately funded to get through these March contests," Ed Turlington, general chairman of the Edwards' campaign, said on CNN. But Mr. Edwards is at a clear disadvantage as he tries to overtake his opponent. Mr. Kerry, the Massachusetts Democrat, has reported raising at least $6.5 million since Iowa while Mr. Edwards, even with this new burst, is at $4.9 million. Mr. Kerry has also opted out of the federal financing system, which means he does not have to abide by restrictions on how much he can spend in primary states. Mr. Edwards has stayed in the system, and that could work to his benefit at the moment since he is eligible for a new infusion of federal matching funds on March 1 — exactly when he might need it most. The Kerry campaign should have no difficulty bringing in dollars if he continues to post victories. Everyone loves a winner. Mr. Edwards will have a more difficult time if he keeps running second. But campaign finance experts say one advantage that the North Carolina lawmaker does have is that he runs a frugal operation, enabling the campaign to do more with less. He will need to maintain that practice in the days ahead.