I'm sure many of you received the same e-mail message I did regarding the Ann Coulter debacle. Not what I would have expected from the Edwards camp. I haven't been drawn into the Hillary--Obama--Edwards wars and quite frankly think they're ridiculous. If I had to pick a candidate right now, I'd go with Obama. The reality is the election is light years away and way too many things can change between now and then. But let me tell you why I take offense to the Edwards e-mail.
Instead of simply denouncing the comments of Ann Coulter and the swift boat tactics of the right, with strong and concise oratory, David Bonior instead used this event as a fund raising strategy. In the e-mail, he declares that he has just donated $100 to the Edwards campaign. EXCUSE ME? You're the campaign manager!! He proceeds to ask if I'll join him. He's decided that if they can raise $100,000 in "Coulter Cash" this week, it will show that bigotry backfires. I'm sure they'll be several that disagree, but I find this tactic offensive.
First, David, don't tell me how much you want me to donate. That's in really poor taste. Second, the fact that you, his campaign manager, has coughed up $100 to lead this charge has absolutely NO weight. Couldn't you find someone else to come out with this e-mail? Someone who's NOT on the inside? Even if it had come from Elizabeth, it would have been better. And third, "Coulter Cash"? Seriously? Raising money for your particular campaign will not give Ann Coulter pause or "backfire" on the bigotry of the right wing.
All campaigns should learn how to forcefully and succinctly respond to these attacks, but using attacks for political gain, well, in a word....tasteless.