Build a New Orleans neighborhood with Edwards, for a fee

[ariesgem]

Presidential campaigns are very creative at linking with voters -- especially when it comes to obtaining their names and e-mails for fund appeals. Remember helping pick Hillary Clinton's official campaign song? Barack Obama's campaign invited selected donors of small amounts to dinner. John McCain sends a copy of his new book in return for a donation.

John Edwards' newest gimmick? He wants five people to join him next month for some hard labor: helping build in a poor New Orleans neighborhood. But it'll cost you. The catch is, in order to do this volunteer work, he'd like you to give him money for the privilege.

"Help John rebuild New Orleans with a contribution today," says an e-mail from David Bonior, campaign manager. Exactly how giving money to Edwards helps the New Orleans neighborhood is not explained. But Bonior adds, "By giving between now and the end of the quarter on Sunday, Sept. 30, you -- and four other supporters -- could have the opportunity to work alongside John. . . .

"This campaign is about creating big, bold change on the issues that matter -- so we're not offering you gimmicks," the Bonior e-mail continues. "We're not offering you a fancy dinner. And we're not offering you the chance to hobnob with celebrities and former presidents."

Just the chance to buy a chance to sweep and hammer with a former senator.

A smaller line of type just like this at the end of the Edwards e-mail says, "No purchase or contribution necessary to enter."

http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-na-ticket16sep16,1,6335295.story?coll=la-politics-campaign

[trashcanistanista]

1. Kick for Edwards

It's a good idea and keeps poverty in the forefront. There will be takers.

[Yael]

2. Why is this a problem?

It is a fund raising drive with a handful of people being picked to work a community project. It is more of an attention getter than dinner, IMO.