Edwards to Supporters

Dear Friend,

We're in the race of our lives -- and I'm asking for your help. We've got incredible momentum coming out of our powerful second-place showing in Iowa. We've been outspent 5-to-1 but John is staying strong because people know he's the fighter who will bring about the change we need. The two celebrity candidates who've raised $200 million are getting ready to throw everything they've got at John. They're going to try and drown out John's message of fighting for change and ending the corporate greed that has taken over our government.That's why I need you to make a contribution now, so we can expand our message and outreach efforts in New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina. We need you now, more than ever.

Click here to make a contribution.

John's a fighter. And he's the one candidate who can carry a message of change to every corner of this country -- and win.But as John said in his speech last night, you're the ones who have created the tidal wave of change that is sweeping from Iowa to New Hampshire, to Nevada and South Carolina. History is being made, and you are a part of it. Please make a contribution now -- and then ask five friends to contribute.

Click here to make a contribution.

I'm asking you to spread the word. I need you to tell everyone you know that finally we have a candidate who has the backbone, who has the strength, who has the courage to stand up for the middle class, and who is willing to stand up to corporate greed.That candidate is John Edwards -- and he's fighting for all of us.

Thanks for all you do.
--Joe Trippi Senior Advisor,
John Edwards for President
January 4, 2008

Edwards to Supporters

It was a strong night for us - we finished second in Iowa, beating out the Clinton machine. Change won tonight - the status quo lost. But now the fight is on - and they're going to come after us, trying to drown out our message of change with their hundreds of millions of dollars. That's why I need you to make a contribution to my campaign today.

Click here to make a contribution.

What we saw in Iowa was two candidates who thought their money would make them inevitable. But what the Iowa caucus goers have shown us is that if you're willing to have a little backbone, to have the courage to speak for the middle class, to speak for those who have no voice, and if you're willing to stand up to corporate greed, then that message and the American people are unstoppable, no matter how much money is spent to prevent that message from getting out. That's why I need your support today, so those who believe in the status quo will not stop our message of change that this country so desperately needs.

Click here to make a contribution.

I am so proud of this cause - and so grateful for your support. It is your support that has sustained Elizabeth and me as we have campaigned across this country. You have created a tidal wave of change that will sweep from Iowa to New Hampshire, to Nevada and South Carolina. Continue to stand with me, so that when this wave of change is done, every one of us will be able to look our children in the eye and say, "We did for you what our parents did for us - we left America better for you than we found it."

Thank you for your support - the wave of change has begun.

Sincerely, John

Biden: Thoughts on Electability

DECEMBER 31, 2007

TO: INTERESTED PARTIES

FROM: LARRY RASKY
COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR
BIDEN FOR PRESIDENT

RE: THOUGHTS ON ELECTABILITY

In the closing days of this race for the Democratic nomination for President, voters and reporters alike have heard former Sen. John Edwards make the same electability case over and over again. Edwards argues that with his southern roots he can compete in more states than any other Democratic candidate in the general election.

Last week in New Hampshire, Edwards said: “I think people want someone they know can win in the general election. I think the evidence is overwhelming that I’m very strong, the strongest general election data. . . . I’m the one Democrat who has won in a Red State, who can go into any place in America and be successful.”

However, the evidence that Edwards is more electable is at best thin and is probably misleading.
The first question mark is that Edwards was unlikely to hold onto to his North Carolina Senate seat in 2003 when he decided not to run for re-election. In short, if John Edwards is so electable, why couldn’t he be re-elected in his home state?

Indeed, Jennifer Duffy of the Cook Political Report noted at the time, “Edwards is not that strong.” [The Herald-Sun (Durham, NC), 2/16/03] Research 2000’s poll for the Raleigh News and Observer taken from July 13-16, 2003 showed that Edwards’s re-election number stood at 34 percent. In that same poll, only 45 percent of North Carolinians approved of Edwards’s job as their junior Senator.

Edwards fared no better as the Democratic Party’s Vice Presidential candidate in 2004. After being selected as John Kerry’s running mate, Edwards said, “I think we will be very competitive in the South, particularly in those states in which national Democrats need to be competitive to be successful.” [Associated Press, 7/10/04] Unfortunately, Edwards failed to carry his home state. Edwards lost his home county—Moore County—by more than eleven thousand votes, 24,714 to 13,555. He also lost his hometown by more than 300 votes, 506 to 191.

At the end of the day, despite repeated assurances, Kerry-Edwards also failed to win a single southern state. So it’s understandable that this time around, even John Edwards’s own people are acknowledging his vulnerability: Rob Tully, a former state party chairman and Edwards backer, said “if he doesn't win Iowa or come very close this time, ‘we're done.’” [USA TODAY, 12/12/07]

In addition, there are serious doubts about Edwards’ message. A recent Edwards ad asserts, “It’s time to tell the truth. These big corporations and their greed, they are stealing your children’s future. We will never change this country unless we are willing to take those people on.” Some are arguing that this will not go over well with general election voters. In a column, respected political analyst Stuart Rothenberg wrote, "Edwards certainly would dispute that there is an inherent contradiction between his populist rhetoric and his alleged middle class appeal. But his approach to problems is likely to frighten many voters, including most middle class Americans and virtually all Republicans." [The Rothenberg Political Report, 12/31/07]

So who has what it takes to carry the southern vote? Well, with so much riding on his southern electability argument, “native son” John Edwards actually fares only 4 points ahead of Joe Biden in the most recent Insider Advantage poll out of South Carolina. And if one thing is certain in the 2008 race, it’s that no Democrat will win using the same 20-plus-five strategy that has failed in the last two elections. In this general election, Joe Biden has set a 15-18 red state strategy, which not only sets him apart from the top tier, but gives him the most realistic shot at victory next November.

Furthermore, Joe Biden has historically and consistently won by large margins. In 1972, Joe Biden staged a huge upset, unseating two-term Sen. Caleb Boggs, a popular former congressman and governor. Since then, Joe Biden has consistently won re-election by over 15 percentage points, and always garnering more than 57 percent of the vote.

Sen. Biden’s victories have also come during times of strong Republican presence in the Delaware, in the form of both a Republican Senator (William Roth) and Republican Governors (du Pont, Castle and Wolf). Rep. Mike Castle consistently wins statewide, earning 57 percent in the last election. The Delaware State House has split leadership, with Democrats controlling the Senate and Republicans controlling the House.

These are the facts.

Wishing you all a happy and thoughtful New Year. Larry

Edwards' Major Announcement: I Will Ban Corporate Lobbyists And Foreign Government Lobbyists From My White House

Edwards will end the corruption in Washington by holding his administration to a higher standard by banning corporate lobbyists from serving in an Edwards White House
Washington, Iowa – Today, Senator John Edwards said that he will ban anyone who has worked as a corporate lobbyist or has lobbied for a foreign government from working in an Edwards Administration. Edwards is proud to be the only presidential candidate who has never taken a dime from any Political Action Committee or Washington lobbyist, because he's determined to be a voice for regular families like the ones he grew up with.

"I want to make an announcement today," Edwards said at an event in Washington, Iowa. "No corporate lobbyists or anyone who has lobbied for a foreign government will work in my White House. We will not replace corporate Republicans with corporate Democrats. I hear people argue that the way that you can get things done is to sit at a table with drug companies, insurance companies, oil companies, and negotiate with them and somehow they will voluntarily give away their power. I think this is a complete fantasy.

"I am proud of the fact that I have never taken money from a Washington lobbyist or a special interest PAC my whole time in public life," Edwards continued. "I don't think you can bring about change by taking their money or sitting down at a table and trying to make a deal with them. I think if that worked, we would have universal health care, we would be attacking global warming, we'd have a trade policy that makes sense, and we'd have a tax policy that makes sense. I don't think these people will give up anything without a fight – they've been there too long and they have billions of dollars at stake."

In August, Edwards challenged Senator Clinton and the other presidential candidates to join him in demanding the Democratic Party lead the way to real reform by refusing, as a party, to take campaign contributions from Washington lobbyists. And in October, Edwards unveiled his "One Democracy Initiative" to return the power in Washington to regular people and end the unique power of lobbyists.

Edwards called for prohibiting all candidates and federal office holders from accepting contributions from lobbyists and prohibiting federal lobbyists from acting as bundlers for federal candidates. As president, he will limit the ability of lobbyists to secure lucrative earmarks by enacting a Constitutional version of the line-item veto, where the president can require an up or down vote on special-interest spending. He also proposed curbing lobbyists' influence by increasing disclosure requirements for lobbyist activity and by prohibiting government executives from accepting gifts and travel from lobbyists and their employers.

Edwards "One Democracy Initiative" also called for closing the revolving door between Capitol Hill and K Street by reinstating the five-year ban on lobbying by former top government officials. Edwards' new proposal today builds on this by banning any former corporate or foreign government lobbyist from serving in an Edwards Administration.

Over the past few administrations, influencing our government has grown into a big business that employs a mass of lobbyists and lawyers. Lobbying expenditures totaled $5.1 billion during the last Congress. The number of Washington lobbyists has tripled in the past 10 years to almost 36,000—more than 60 for every member of Congress. Edwards believes it's time to end this permanent government and go back to a Jeffersonian model of public service. He believes there are plenty of skilled, honest and talented people from across our nation who will come to Washington to serve their country for four or eight years.

Edwards: Latest Poll

Dear Friend,
We've just received some great news that I want to share with you.

A new Iowa poll, released today of likely Democratic caucus goers, shows John Edwards moving into the lead with just six days left. The Lee Enterprises newspapers poll shows John and Barack Obama at 29 percent each and Hillary Clinton at 28 percent, with 19 percent of Democrats still making up their minds.

This poll confirms our momentum -- John has moved up 5 points in just two weeks. But we need your help to keep this momentum going. Please make a contribution today.

Click here to make a contribution

As you know, Iowa is a dead-heat. The two celebrity candidates have shattered all of the spending records and with one in five likely caucus-goers still making up their minds, John Edwards can win the Iowa caucuses on January 3 -- but it's going to take an all-out, non-stop effort over these last six days -- an effort thousands of us are making.

Click here to make a contribution

We can do it. Please help us win Iowa for John Edwards next Thursday. Your contribution today will help get additional resources here right now.

Thanks for your support!
Sincerely,Jennifer O'Malley Dillon
Iowa State Director,
John Edwards for President
December 28, 2007

John Edwards:Six Days

Dear Friend,

Six days. That's all that's left until John Edwards pulls off the biggest upset in recent political history with an Iowa victory on January 3! But we need your help to make it happen. Yesterday, we challenged you to raise $1.5 million online by December 31. Thousands of you have already responded - will you respond today? Click here to make a contribution and accept the challenge.



For nearly a year, the media and the Washington establishment have treated this like a two-person race. They've shined the spotlight on the celebrity candidates, they've "oohed" and "aahed" at the tens of millions of dollars they've raised - and they've been taken in by the hype, the glitz and the glamour our opponents have surrounded themselves with from day one.



But, while they've been distracted, John Edwards has been out there on the ground, working hard, listening to regular Americans and talking about their concerns - about the things that keep them up at night, that make them worry about whether or not we will be able to pass on a better world to our children. While the media has been focused on celebrity, John has been inspiring voters in Iowa and other early states with his positive vision for America - a vision of America rising. The chattering class has written John off more times than I can remember.



But guess what -- month after month, with your support, John has defied their predictions. He hasn't gone away. In fact, he's built up the strongest organization in Iowa with the help of passionate supporters like you. He trusts the American people to sift through the hype, and support the one candidate they know can beat the Republicans next year, and bring the big, bold change we need to America. And his trust in you has been rewarded. Today, we're locked in a three-way dead heat for a first-place finish in Iowa - and most importantly, we've got the momentum going into the homestretch. John is the best closer I've ever seen - but he's going to need your help to get us over the top.



Can you make a contribution today? Click here to make a contribution and accept the challenge.



You may not be able to directly help our ground efforts in Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina or Nevada, but your contribution toward our $1.5 million target will go directly to ensuring additional resources are placed in these states immediately. That means providing transportation so volunteers can get around precincts, talking with likely voters and caucus goers. It provides additional phone banks, television spots and literature.



Your contribution can make a difference - so please contribute today. Click here to make a contribution and accept the challenge.



With just six days to the Iowa caucuses, we're down to the wire. Help us raise the $1.5 million to seize the momentum as we move toward victory in these early states - and for the Democratic Party nomination. Thank you for your ongoing support.

Sincerely, Jonathan Prince

Deputy Campaign Manager,

John Edwards for President

December 28, 2007

John Edwards: Help Secure Victory

Dear Friend,

This is it. The Iowa caucuses are only one week from tomorrow. And if we have the resources we need, together we can win Iowa and propel John Edwards to the Democratic nomination.

Click here to help secure victory in Iowa.

I'm not going to mince words. The race here is tight. We've got momentum behind us -- from endorsements last week from Iowa's first lady Mari Culver and from the president of the powerful Iowa Farmer's Union, to the cover of Newsweek, to polls showing us moving into the lead -- but the challenge now is turning that momentum into people standing for John Edwards in their caucus.

And that requires us to reach out to Iowans who will be making their decision to support John Edwards in the next week -- and to get those supporters to their precinct caucus on January 3.

Your contribution today means more Iowans standing with John Edwards next Thursday:

$27 pays for drinks and snacks for volunteers manning the phone banks in the final week
$53 pays to blanket a neighborhood with literature for late-deciding voters
$75 helps us expand our reach with our broadcast spots
$102 pays for a van and fuel to drive supporters for John Edwards who need help getting to the caucuses next Thursday

Click here to help secure victory in Iowa.

The other campaigns know how well organized we are on the ground in Iowa -- and they know the power behind the endorsements John Edwards has recently secured. They continue to scramble to get everything they can into the state.

Yet every dollar you give today can counter their efforts and make the difference in what happens at the caucuses in Iowa in just eight days time.

Please, contribute any amount you can afford to give today.

Sincerely,

--Jennifer O'Malley Dillon
Iowa State Director, John Edwards for President
December 26, 2007

John Edwards: Holiday Season Message / Video

The holiday season is a time for family, a time to give thanks -- and a time to think back on the year past.

There have been many special moments this year as John and I have traveled around the country. It has been exciting and energizing to see thousands of people connect with John and respond to his message of change. And we have both been inspired by the support of people like you.

This past week, John was joined by two of my favorite singers, Bonnie Raitt and Jackson Browne, at a town hall meeting in New Hampshire. Take a moment to watch this video clip -- it captures the feeling of warmth and hope that we feel every day on the campaign trail. This is one of my favorite songs.

I hope you will take a couple of minutes to watch it, and share it with your family and friends over the holidays.

Click here to watch the video.

John and I want to wish you and your family all the best for this holiday season. May it be a time filled with hope, warmth, happiness -- and special moments like these!

Sincerely,

Elizabeth Edwards
December 22, 2007

Edwards: Dear Friend

My name is Doug Bishop. I live in Jasper County, Iowa, where I am the county treasurer.

In September 2004, I was among the first wave of employees who were laid off at the Maytag plant in Newton, IA. Later that month, my family and I met John Edwards as he was campaigning for the vice-presidency on the Democratic ticket.

I will never forget how John took my seven year-old son by the hand, dropped to his knees, looked him square in the face and said, "I'm going to keep fighting for your Daddy's job, I promise you that."

Three years later, I'm fortunate to have landed on my feet -- but hundreds of my friends, family and co-workers haven't been so lucky.

That's why John Edwards has never gone back on the promise he made to my son. Even though the Maytag plant in Newton is now closed for good and the American dream has been taken away from so many who worked in that plant, he continues to fight for all of us who want to leave our children with a better life.

Recently, I had the privilege to introduce John Edwards at a rally in Iowa. Please take a few minutes to watch this video clip. I hope it will give you a better idea of who I am and, most importantly, why I'm supporting John Edwards.

www.johnedwards.com/watch/doug-bishop

I know, from personal experience, that John Edwards will continue fighting and speaking out for me and my family and millions of other Americans like us, from the day he takes the oath of office as president to the day he leaves the White House.

There are just 14 days to the Iowa caucuses. We need to make sure that John wins in Iowa and in the other early states so he can be the Democratic nominee -- and the voice for hardworking Americans everywhere.

Please take a few moments to watch this video -- and then make a contribution to John's campaign.

www.johnedwards.com/watch/doug-bishop

Thank you for joining me in supporting John Edwards.

Sincerely,

Doug Bishop
Newton, Iowa
December 20, 2007