Edwards is No. 1 in S.C. donations

Plenty of money, and now hitting the trail hard, bringing in supporters voter by voter.
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Tuesday, July 22, 2003 12:00AM EDT

Edwards is No. 1 in S.C. donations
He is far ahead of others in party

By JIM DAVENPORT, The Associated Press

COLUMBIA, S.C. -- U.S. Sen. John Edwards, D-N.C., raised more money from South Carolina donors during the past three months than his eight presidential primary opponents combined, Federal Election Commission reports show.

Dollars don't mean votes in the state's first-in-the-South primary, but they do provide a sense of candidates' organizational strength and ability to get the money to needed fuel their campaigns.

"The ability to raise money is like the ability to get votes," Clemson University political science professor Doug Woodard said. "It shows people believe in you."

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Since January, South Carolinians have given $228,392 to Edwards' campaign, more than twice the itemized individual donations shown by the other eight campaigns combined, FEC filings show. Campaigns also collect smaller donations that they don't immediately have to itemize.

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But Edwards, who was set to open his South Carolina headquarters today , is demonstrating that he can raise money in key early primary states, Palmieri said. He led fund-raising efforts in seven of 12 early primary states, she said.

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  http://www.newsobserver.com/edwards/coverage/story/2714613p-2517201c.html

I think I know some of those donors. ;))))

Heh. He's gonna kick into another gear soon.

As a North Carolinian, I just wish he would postpone his presidential ambitions and do everything possible to insure that he wins again as Senator in this state. I think his time will come but not this election.

I was born in NC, live in Va (DC area) and believe Edwards is getting out while its right.

His polling #s in NC are very low and the people are frustrated with him not being in the state very much. Keep in mind also, North Carolina is a very conservative state.

I like Edwards a lot as well, and Im with you...I'd like to see him make a real name for himself in the Senate.

I am ready for a

Kerry/Edwards ticket more than you could ever know...

He's just cranking it up. Hitting NH and Iowa in August with a bus tour with the beautiful wife and kids. That's going to be huge.

He'll soar in September.

but I think the DU'er who said here that the Dems need to run someone very competitive in the South because it will diffuse the inevitable money advantage. If Republicans have to run hard and spend money in every state the Democrats will have a way easier time than if the Republicans are able to concentrate there 175 million dollar advantage in MN and NH (or whatever two or three small states they'll need to win in the north after sweeping the south).

He could pick off Virginia, West VA, Ark, LA, maybe TN, maybe NC. And FLA.

His appeal crosses party lines, I do believe.