Edwards: Iowa win would erase money gap

[onehandle]

Source: AP

DENISON, Iowa - John Edwards predicts his financial disadvantage against Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama would be quickly overcome if he were to pull off a victory in the Iowa presidential caucuses Thursday.

"It's just reality that if you win the Iowa caucuses, the money pours in," Edwards said in an Associated Press interview Sunday. "It's almost like you cannot process it because it comes in so fast. There will be plenty of money to run the campaign."

After months of being seemingly stuck in third place in most polls, Edwards has climbed into a virtual tie in recent surveys and has drawn large, enthusiastic crowds on a well-trod route through the state since his second-place finish here in 2004.

snip...

No matter, he says. The presidential nomination contests are so compressed this time — "bam, bam, bam" — that strong early showings should be rewarded nationally, and a nominee produced in short order. "The message will get heard," he said. "If you win the Iowa caucuses, you are going to be heard very loudly and clearly in these other places."

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071231/ap_po/edwards_long_haul

[cali]

1. that's misleading at best.

Anyone who knows anything about public funding understands that Edwards in limited in spending over the primary season, which last until after the convention at the end of August. He can only spend $50 million, and he's fast approaching that limit. Furthermore, there are limitations on spending in each of the states. So what does it matter how much money he raises if he can't spend it?

[liberalnurse]

2. That's how I understand

public funds...What other angle would he be eluding to? 527's doing the message?

[JCMach1]

3. Is he really fast approaching the limit?

Don't forget 527s will play a bigger role this time around as well. OF course, that cuts both ways with the repugs.

...Edwards is maintaining his steady fundraising pace behind Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, though he has announced that he will be accepting $10 million in public funding-and is encouraging the others to do the same. At the end of the 3rd Quarter, Edwards had $30.3 million, which means he will easily reach the $35 million his campaign originally said he'd need to bring in to be competitive in the early primaries. The former North Carolina senator has vowed not to accept money from registered lobbyists or PACs and only had minimal debt to re-pay after his 2004 campaign.

Total Receipts: $30,329,152
Total Spent: $17,932,103
Cash on Hand: $12,397,048
Debts: $0...

http://www.opensecrets.org/pres08/summary.asp?id=N00002283

[cali]

4. He is fast approaching the limit.

The figures you posted are only through Sept 30th. I don't know what his burn rate is for the past three months, but I know it's faster than the three months preceeding it. So, say he's spent $8 million to $10 million more. That brings him close to $27 or $28 million, leaving him with perhaps $23 million for 8 months (if he gets the nomination). 527s will be critical but they can't run candidate ads and they can't coordinate with the campaign.

[floridablue]

5. We need to develop 527''s in key states

such as Florida to promate his issues. There are many issue opportunities for this in Florida.

[cali]

6. 527s will be critical if JE's the nominee

and my guess is that their are already 527s planning to operate on his behalf in states like FL.