Edwards takes to the road for much-needed fundraising

[JohnLocke]

Edwards takes to the road for much-needed fundraising
By Mike Baker -- Associated Press
Thursday, January 4, 2007
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RALEIGH, N.C. - Presidential hopeful John Edwards, fresh from last week's brief tour to announce his candidacy, will spend much of the next three months bolstering a barren campaign account, his office said Thursday.
"Fundraising will be a heavy emphasis for the first quarter," Edwards adviser Jennifer Palmieri said.
Edwards, a former North Carolina senator, began his call for donations Wednesday night during a gathering at campaign headquarters near his home in Chapel Hill. Advisers declined to disclose where else Edwards will be campaigning over the coming weeks.
Edwards, who launched his campaign with an online video and podcast before making a formal announcement in New Orleans over the holidays, will also rely heavily on Internet outreach. He has hired Web guru Mathew Gross, who jump-started former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean's 2004 presidential bid with an online strategy that helped raise an enviable $53 million.
Gross sent an e-mail to supporters Thursday urging them to post their own Edwards-adoring videos on the Web site YouTube.
Edwards has raised more than $2.6 million since his failed run as the 2004 Democratic nominee for vice president and spent almost all of it as he traveled the world supporting Democratic candidates and causes.
(...)
New York Sen. Hillary Clinton already has more than $14.3 million in her Senate account, readily available for a presidential run, according to the latest filings with the Federal Election Commission. Edwards' 2004 running mate, Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry, holds almost as much in his coffers. Connecticut Sen. Christopher Dodd, another possible 2008 contender, has nearly $2 million.
Illinois Sen. Barack Obama had $750,000 as of Sept. 30 - before his political stock took off.
Though Edwards has an early deficit in the bank, Democratic strategist Anita Dunn pointed out that his network of supporters could help him offset any financial weakness. He's already leading early polls among Democratic voters in Iowa, one of the states with early contests for president.
"He just has to raise enough money to be competitive," Dunn said. "The last time Edwards ran for the presidency, he was significantly outraised but almost earned the nomination. Money is important, and enough money is critical, but money isn't the most decisive factor in presidential politics."
Edwards raised $33.5 million in his 2004 campaign, including a handsome $7.4 million in the first quarter of 2003.
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[Catchawave]

1. He's off to a good start

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[JohnLocke]

2. Kick (nt).