The American Spectator

Washington Prowler

(Page 2 of 2)

IT'S NOW OR NEVER br> The financial future of Sen. John Edwards ' presidential hopes will be riding heavily on his performance on the road in the next couple of weeks. Perhaps most important is a speech he will make at the upcoming winter meeting of the AFL-CIO executive board in Fort Lauderdale. /p>

Some union membership has already lined up behind Sen. John Kerry, and Edwards is eager to step in and try to win support among other senior members of the nation's most influential union. "Several candidates can do well with AFL-CIO backing," says an Edwards staffer. "The key is having that support early and holding on to it. Kerry can get his. We want ours."

As well, Edwards will be in New York for a major fundraiser backed by businessmen in the entertainment community. Donors will attend a special performance of Hairspray and hear from Edwards. His staff has put out a rumor that former President Bill Clinton will attend the event, but Clinton's staff has said he has no plans to attend fundraisers of individual candidates this early in the process.

p>"He's spoken with many of the men looking to run, and he's talked about the advice he's given," says a Clinton staffer. "But it wouldn't be appropriate for him to attend private fundraisers for individual candidates." br> /p>

topics:
Bill Clinton, Business, Energy