Obama re. 527s: Edwards has a chance to show his powers of persuasion (or not)

[BeyondGeography]

Obama Continues Criticizing 527s

DES MOINES, IOWA -- Barack Obama continued to hammer John Edwards for not doing more to get an independent pro-Edwards group to stop airing TV ads on his behalf.

“My attitude is if you can’t get your former campaign manager and political director to do what you like then its going to be hard to get the insurance companies and the drug companies to do what you like. My hope that he takes this seriously,” Obama said during a campaign stop at a Des Moines diner. He was referring to Edwards and the group Alliance for a New America, which is being run by his Edwards' 2004 campaign manager.

Yesterday, however, Edwards said he was asking the group, called a 527 organization because of it's classification under the tax code, to cease airing the ads. “I do not support 527 groups. They are part of the law, but let me be clear: I am asking this group and others not to run the ads. I would encourage all the 527s to stay out of the political process," said Edwards.

When questioned this morning if he would take a pledge not to accept help from 527s, Obama dodged the question. “You know the problem with 527s is you have no disclosure and you have no campaign loans. And my sense is if we want to increase transparency and accountability in how our campaigns are run then we should have monies funneled through channels where the people know who's funding the campaigns and who's accountable for the ads.”

Obama said that right now, he would tell a union to stop advertising on his behalf. He was asked if he would accept support from 527s if he was the nominee but Obama did not give a definitive answer. He said he hopes to get Republicans to come up with an agreement on how to operate. However, Obama added, “I'm not going to endanger the Democratic party’s ability to win races by letting the other side outspend us by two or three hundred million dollars."

When asked if he is naïve in thinking that he can reach out to Republicans and stand up at to them at the same time, Obama said, “I’m not the one who has to apologize consistently for votes I’ve made not standing up to Republicans.”

http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2007/12/23/politics/fromtheroad/entry3643326.shtml

[liskddksil]

1. is this all hes got

Seems like there are serious substantative issues to question other candidates and he continues to question an ad by a group that is not connected to the campaign. Edwards released a conclusive statement condemning the ad, anything else is in violation of election law.

[BeyondGeography]

3. He's just having some fun with Edwards

who has, you must admit, done a lot of chest thumping about his ability to bend powerful forces to his will without even talking to them directly.

Also gives Obama a chance to remind people that the people running these ads have been very close associates of Edwards in the past.

[ShaneGR]

6. He's just gone negative... and he's attacking in two different directions....

What happened to the bring everybody together Obama, anyone know?

[BeyondGeography]

7. You mean Santa Obama?

He's the guy in the attack ad produced by Edwards' pals, the 527 that does hit pieces on Clinton and Obama and leaves poor, underfunded John alone...while he pretends to be powerless over them.

[tired_old_fireman]

2. If Obama is going to attack Edwards for this,

he should take the pledge to not accept help from 527s. Am I missing something?

[msongs]

4. Obama rebukes corporate elitist Oprah: STOP PROMOTING ME OR ELSE! ha ha nt

[ShaneGR]

5. Which part of "illegal coordination" doesn't Obama understand....

Even calling them and asking to take down the ad is coordination, and illegal under the law.

[Skip Intro]

8. Asked "if he would take a pledge not to accept help from 527s, Obama dodged the question."

Right there in the snip in the OP.


He really doesn't like to take tough stands does he? He'll slam his opponents for every move, but won't rule out doing the same damn thing.


Could it be any more blatant?

[BeyondGeography]

9. He'll use 'em against the Republican candidate if he refuses to abstain

I'm sure you don't have a problem with that, unless, as Obama points out, you want to be outspent by $200 to $300 million in the general.

He won't be associated with their use against any of his Democratic opponents during the primaries.

[FrenchieCat]

10. It's Edwards who does all of the professing about this and that....

while doing this and that.

I'm not sure why Obama should have to jump on the bus that Edwards is driving and then made to sit in the back. :shrug: