"Backlash," Huh?

I meant to put this up before now, but this latest idiocy as documented by the good folks at Media Matters for America actually made me remember, so (from the John Edwards campaign)…

Congratulations—we did it!

Or, more accurately, you did it.

As the clock ticked towards midnight on Saturday, we all watched with amazement as our online fundraising total surged towards our goal. $2.9 million... $2.95 million... $3 million! We had already hit a goal that just a week earlier had seemed unthinkable, but it just kept climbing. By the time the dust settled at midnight our online community had chipped in over $3.3 million dollars. Absolutely incredible.

Elizabeth and I are humbled and deeply inspired by this outpouring of grassroots energy. We are more committed than ever to run a bold, visionary campaign worthy of your support.

Overall, here's the story of our first quarter fundraising success by the numbers:

• Total raised: Over $14 million (nearly twice what we raised this quarter last time around)
• Total contributors: 40,000, representing every state of the union
• Grassroots victory: 80 percent of all contributions were $100 or less

So that's what happened; you pulled through and we exceeded all our expectations, ensuring that this campaign will stay competitive in the crucial months to come.

But here's what it means.

It means that a campaign can dare to combine a vision for transformational change with the detailed plans necessary to achieve it.

It means that you and I have the resources we need to keep building grassroots support for the big changes this country needs, like universal health care, an exit from Iraq, a stop to global warming, and a future where no American lives in poverty and the middle class is finally secure.

And it means our campaign has the strength we need to go all the way, and the strength we need to win.

Thank you, so much, for coming through when it matters most. Now let's roll up our sleeves and keep working for the country we love.

Sincerely,

John Edwards
Monday, April 2, 2007

P.S. - I wrote to you last week about how strong fundraising would help get our message out in a wave of post-deadline media. Below are links to just a couple of the hundreds of articles that are already telling the nation the good news about your success:

1. "Edwards campaign raises $14 million" CNN, April 1, 2007
2. "Edwards' campaign nears online fundraising mark of $3 million" Associated Press, March 31, 2007

P.P.S. - For those celebrating, Elizabeth and I want to wish you happy Passover (last night).

And don't worry, Smerky - I’m sure the children of John and Elizabeth Edwards are happy about this also.