August 1, 2007

Body Blow to John Edwards: Unions Might Not Issue Endorsement

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Bad news for Jedwards. Union leadership is “so happy” with the Democratic candidates for president that it might not endorse a contender in the primary, according to the NY Times. John Edwards, of course, has spent literally years courting organized labor in the hopes of getting its endorsement, which would be a huge boost for him in Iowa, where as many as one-third of Democratic caucusgoers come from union households, and elsewhere.

What’s particularly sad is that poor Edwards hasn’t done anything wrong. “There’s a pretty strong sentiment across the labor movement for Edwards,” said Steve Rosenthal, a former political director of the A.F.L.-C.I.O. “But I think some unions are a little leery of endorsing him without more evidence that he can win.”

Ouch. How’s that for a catch-22? Edwards can’t get the labor endorsement because he can’t win, and he can’t win without the labor endorsement. It’s tough being number three.

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We just wrapped up a shorter-than-normal, urgent-as-ever fundraising drive and we came up about $45,000 short of our $300,000 goal.

That means we're going to have upwards of $350,000, maybe more, to raise in online donations between now and June 30, when our fiscal year ends and we have to get to break-even. And even though there's zero cushion to miss the mark, we won't be all that in your face about our fundraising again until June.

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