OSKALOOSA, Iowa – Senator Barack Obama called on his rival, John Edwards, to distance himself from outside groups that are gearing up to run television ads to promote his candidacy, saying here today: “You can’t just talk the talk.”
For several days, Mr. Obama has steadily sought to distinguish himself with Mr. Edwards, particularly over which candidate would be more inclined to reduce the influence of lobbyists in Washington. Today, Mr. Obama raised the topic again, reminding voters that Mr. Edwards did not push ethics reform during his six years in the Senate.
Then, Mr. Obama opened a new story line: He told voters they should be aware a group is spending money on Mr. Edwards behalf in the final days of the Iowa campaign.
“John yesterday said that he didn’t believe in 527s – those are the independent groups that raise money without disclosure. Nobody knows who’s giving the money or what’s going on. He said, ‘I don’t believe in them because this is a major loophole in campaign finance reform laws, you have these outside groups helping out candidates and it is a way to get around campaign finance laws.’”
With less than two weeks remaining in the Iowa caucus campaign, television airwaves are flooded with advertisements from candidates and outside groups. Next week, ads are expected to start airing from a group being run by Nick Baldick, who four years ago was the campaign manager for Mr. Edwards.
(Last week, Mr. Baldick was seen in Des Moines, but declined to say what he was doing.)
Fearful of the group’s potential impact – and the strong closing of Mr. Edwards’ campaign – Mr. Obama raised the subject in a town meeting today. He said this group intended to spend $750,000 of television time before the Jan. 3 caucuses.
“The individual who is running the group used to be John Edwards campaign manager,” Mr. Obama said, continuing his criticism of his rival. “So you can’t say yesterday you don’t believe in them and today you have three-quarters of a millions dollars being spent for you. You can’t just talk the talk. The easiest thing in the world is to talk about change during election time.”
During a press conference on Friday, Mr. Edwards said he had “no control” over what outside groups did on behalf of his candidacy.
“You can’t tell them what to do or what not to do. They get to make decisions about that,” Mr. Edwards told reporters in Des Moines. “It’s one of the problems with the law, but it is the law, and we’re required by law to stay out of it.”
Edwards says he has no control, Obama says otherwise, who is right?
Opinions?
Originally posted by SMSBear716Edwards is right under the law. If he contacts the 527 group, he is in violation of federal election law. A candidate may in no way coordinate with 527's, even to the extent of calling them and saying stop. Edwards has said publically that he wished they wouldn't do this, but he MUST NOT contact them privately.
OSKALOOSA, Iowa – Senator Barack Obama called on his rival, John Edwards, to distance himself from outside groups that are gearing up to run television ads to promote his candidacy, saying here today: “You can’t just talk the talk.”
For several days, Mr. Obama has steadily sought to distinguish himself with Mr. Edwards, particularly over which candidate ...[text shortened]... ut of it.”
Edwards says he has no control, Obama says otherwise, who is right?
Opinions?
All this from a democrat (Obama) that is comparing himself to Ronald Reagan😛