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 : Liberalism: Do You Agree We've Had Enough of It? -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Ann Corrigan who wrote (15278)	9/20/2007 12:57:10 PM
From: Hope Praytochange	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 224744

In recent weeks, Edwards has sharply criticized a "corroded and corrupt" Washington system in which politicians raise money from special interests, which then seek their help on government matters. His campaign's latest statement on that subject came on Tuesday, the day of Lerach's plea deal. Top strategist Joe Trippi sent out a mass e-mail criticizing Clinton's campaign for hosting a fundraising event with companies and lobbyists seeking the government's multibillion-dollar homeland security business. "Too many in office have fallen under the spell of campaign money at any cost -- and do not see that when they defend the system, they are protecting those that have rigged the game that puts corporate profits ahead of the interests of working Americans," Trippi wrote. In May, Edwards issued a statement urging the Securities and Exchange Commission to weigh in with the Supreme Court on behalf of an effort by Lerach's clients -- who had invested in Enron -- to sue banks associated with the energy giant. "The question for all Americans is whether their government will be on the side of those big banks or regular families," Edwards said in a statement released by his presidential campaign. Lerach posted the statement on his law firm's Web site. Edwards's campaign declined to discuss how much it knew about Lerach's legal problems while Lerach raised money. Campaign officials also said they do not consider the statement about the Enron case a favor to a major donor and fundraiser. "This position is consistent with John Edwards's long-standing support for protecting the retirement savings of middle-class families and is shared by many others, including the New York Times editorial page, Securities and Exchange Commission, Senate Banking Committee Chair Chris Dodd, and a coalition of consumer groups, to name a few," Edwards spokeswoman Colleen Murray said. Lerach is the second Edwards fundraiser to face legal troubles in the past year. Lawyer Geoffrey Fieger was indicted in August on federal charges of conspiring to route more than $125,000 in illegal contributions to Edwards's 2004 presidential bid. Fieger has pleaded not guilty. Edwards's campaign has said it knew nothing about Fieger's alleged scheme and has cooperated with the Justice Department. But the campaign has declined to refund the donations in question, waiting for the outcome of Fieger's trial to avoid influencing jurors. If he is convicted, the campaign has said it plans to send his donations to charity.