Suddenly, the Democratic Presidential candidates are looking so civil any more. First Senator Hillary Clinton took some shots at Junior Senator Barack Obama, then some more shots and now John Edwards has come out swinging at Clinton.
Why?
Democratic presidential contender John Edwards on Monday criticized former President Clinton, arguing that he allowed corporate insiders to shape the 1993 North American Free Trade Agreement that has cost U.S. jobs.
Edwards' complaints about the former president beloved by voters in his own party was a defiant move meant to highlight rival Hillary Rodham Clinton's relationship with special interests. It comes two days after Clinton refused Edwards' challenge to stop taking campaign donations from lobbyists, saying many represent good causes.
"It's time that the president stood up and fought for American workers," Edwards told a crowd of about 300 people at a union hall in Cedar Rapids. "It's time to have a president that always puts the interests of the American people first."
Yet as CNN's Wolfe Blitzer so appropriately pointed out last week (and Edwards evaded the questions), Edwards has declined to return a half a million dollars advance he took from a subsidiary of News Corp, Harper Collins. The exact total was closer to $1 million ($800,000).
Edwards insisted the monies derived from this book all went to charity and that he would not be returning any of it. Fox points out that the charity he gave this money to would also provide tax relief for Senator Edwards.
Who is to say that Hillary Clinton's measly $20,000 received from Murdoch did not go to some charity as well?
It is still too early in the campaign to see any dramatic fluctuations in betting odds based on issues such as "campaign contribution controversies" but there are certain perceptions that are beginning to weigh in deep with voters. Among them: Barack Obama's inexperience, Hillary Clinton as a "tyrant" and John Edwards as a hypocrite who just happens to get hundred dollar plus haircuts. Of these perceptions, Clinton's could be seen as an advantage.
Hillary Clinton continues to lead in the odds at 2 to 1. Obama had 7 to 2 odds. And Edwards was listed with 6 to 1 odds.
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John Edwards Goes After Hillary Clinton