Former supporters take aim at Edwards, back Obama

[babylonsister]

http://weblogs.chicagotribune.com/news/politics/blog/2007/12/former_supporters_take_aim_at.html

Former supporters take aim at Edwards

by Christi Parsons

Democrat John Edwards has been critical of the involvement of outside organizations that spend money to influence voters.

But some former supporters are questioning how committed Edwards is to that idea, as union leaders who support him are now doing exactly that on his behalf.

"He said he would change Washington, and we believed him," says a new letter from some 2004 Edwards supporters. "Times have changed, and so has John Edwards."

But Edwards has said that, while he wishes the outside groups wouldn't run those ads, he can't control what an independent organization chooses to do.

And officials of the Service Employees International Union today spoke out in defense of their Alliance for a New America, which they set up to advocate for union issues.

The alliance "enables working people to pool their resources to gain a voice on the key issues facing America as the country heads into the 2008 elections," Dave Regan, SEIU District 1199 president, said in a written statement today.

The letter writers are behind Democrat Barack Obama this time around, and it was Obama's campaign that released their letter today.

"(T)his time, we support Barack Obama for President," the letter says. "He is the ONLY candidate in this race who’s not getting any help in Iowa from Washington lobbyists, special interest PACs, or the Washington-based organizations known as 527s. We can trust Barack Obama to change Washington , to tell us the truth, and most importantly – to win in 2008."

The writers signed their names this way:

Frank Best, Columbus City, former Louisa County Edwards Chair

Thom Determan, Dubuque, precinct captain for Edwards in 2004.

Katie Determan, Dubuque, precinct captain for Edwards in 2004.

Judy Jones, Ames

James Cox, Cedar Rapids

Eileen Lundberg, Runnells

Dan Lundberg, Runnells

Ryan Sewell, Council Bluffs

[Inspired]

1. Never heard of a one of them. n/t

[babylonsister]

2. Me neither, but there's a lot of this going on apparently. I guess

now is the time to make up their minds.

[jenmito]

3. It's people like those who will caucus for Obama...

it doesn't matter if we don't know them. :hi: