The American Spectator

Washington Prowler

(Page 2 of 2)

The McCain campaign has ruffled some Republican feathers as he has criticized the party and conservatives as he seeks to broaden his support beyond the GOP base. Giuliani, who rates as highly as McCain on such issues as national security and homeland defense, but is more moderate on some social issues, is viewed as the major threat to McCain in the center/moderate Republican arena.

p> GOING BACK TO THE WELL br> Former Sen. John Edwards and his campaign team have set a goal of raising $40 million in 2007 to fund his presidential aspirations. And they plan to do it piggybacking off lists and donors the trial lawyer picked up as Sen. John Kerry 's running mate in 2004. /p>

Last October, Edwards and Kerry got into private, ugly war of words over the disposition of the millions of dollars Kerry was hoarding in his presidential campaign accounts. Edwards wanted the bulk of those funds used to finance Democrat candidacies in the 2006 election cycle, something Kerry had little interest in doing.

Now, Edwards is out of the starting gate earlier than Kerry, and perhaps the only one of the two who will seek the nomination this time around, given Kerry's disastrous campaign gaffes last October and just before Election Day.

"Hillary can't take all of the money," says an Edwards supporter. "And Kerry had a number of good lists and donor networks. If he's not taking advantage of them, then Edwards should. He's been courting them and keeping in contact with many of them all this time."

topics:
John McCain, Business, Law, NATO