Aug 11, 2008 3:51pm
Edwards Money Man Raising Cash for Obama?
EmailThe Dallas Morning News over the weekend profiled Fred Baron, the chairman of Sen. John Edwards’ campaign finance committees in both his 2004 and 2008 presidential campaigns.
Baron also, as you may know, has been paying significant lumps of cash to Edwards’ former mistress Rielle Hunter, and others involved in the scandal.
Baron claims Edwards knew nothing about it, and Edwards told ABC News Friday the same.
The article states that Baron is currently "raising money for nominee-to-be Barack Obama."
Really?
This morning I asked the Obama campaign if they would comment on whether Baron is fundraising for the campaign. Some people might find that inappropriate. The campaign has yet to respond, but I will let you know when and if they do.
- jpt
Sen. DeMint: GOP Race Could Go Until Convention 
Obama Avoids Questions on Contraception Rule
How is that a problem? Is baron a terrorist? He was John Edwards’ campaign guy. Are you really trying to somehow say Obama’s money is not clean because … pause…. baron is raising money for him? You must be insane. I guess ABC News has nothing better to report than to try to paint people w/ guilt-by-associations. Nevermind McCain’s associations w/ all his ACTUAL LOBBYSITS>
Posted by: David | August 11, 2008, 3:57 pm 3:57 pm
So David, all of Obama’s lobbyists are ok?
Posted by: Jay | August 11, 2008, 4:06 pm 4:06 pm
Hmm not for nothing now the money the guy gets may be clean but don’t ya think its kind of stupid to get a guy to raise money for you who is giving hush money to a homewrecker? Wonder if he is paying off anyone for Obama
Posted by: rachel | August 11, 2008, 4:08 pm 4:08 pm
Two things will happen:
1) Obama will either says this is a “distraction”
2) Claim this isn’t the guy he thought he once knew
Posted by: jose | August 11, 2008, 4:16 pm 4:16 pm
This could be a problem for Sen. Obama because it doesn’t look good to have a man who appears to be facilitating a cover-up with Edwards involved in raising money for the Obama campaign. It would conflict with the stated Obama goals of high ethical standards and changing the culture of corruption from big money guys. Does anyone really believe that Mr. Baron just decided to throw $15K per month to Edwards’ former mistress and the man who they both claim fathered the child just out of the goodness of his heart? Does anyone think that Mr. Baron never got around to mentioning this financial support to Edwards but was somehow able to precisely time his press release taking full responsiblity for said support to match Edwards’ confession?
Posted by: Jill | August 11, 2008, 4:17 pm 4:17 pm
Who exactly would find this inappropriate and on what grounds exactly ?
Posted by: Benjamin | August 11, 2008, 4:25 pm 4:25 pm
I find it crazy how Obama has to answer for everyone and every little thing they do and McCain goes on his marry way will bad money, Adultery, war, flip flops… on and on. I can see why this country is in the place it is today….
Posted by: beck | August 11, 2008, 4:25 pm 4:25 pm
I’m more concerned with McCain’s connections to lobbyists and corporate hacks than I am with some half-baked conjecture about Obama’s “connection” to John Edward’s fund-raiser.
I’m sure that the 8,000 folks in Ohio who are about to be unemployed by DHL would agree.
Posted by: Brooklyn Democrat | August 11, 2008, 4:33 pm 4:33 pm
Let’s not overlook that Obama’s got lobbyist money, as well.
Not to mention oil money.
And flip-flips! Boy-howdy!
The point is that any time anyone remotely scratches under the surface of my senator, more goo comes out.
Not quite the Change or Hope that I was instructed to believe in.
Then again, if you’re already represented by the man, none of this is surprising.
When your political identity was forged within the Chicago Dem Machine, nothing is surprising.
Posted by: Pete | August 11, 2008, 4:40 pm 4:40 pm
I’m sure he will refund the money, as both candidates do every time an idiot donates to them.
Posted by: Reason | August 11, 2008, 4:43 pm 4:43 pm
How do we know that Obama did not use this scandal to coerce an endorsement from Edwards? Did Obama know about it earlier this year? I mean, it was very weird for Edwards to suddenly endorse Obama (after staying out of it for so long) on the night that Clinton won West Virginia by 41 points. His endorsement was covered by the news instead of Clinton’s speech. It just seems strange to me.
Posted by: SB in Iowa | August 11, 2008, 4:58 pm 4:58 pm
Jose, I think you can see the future better than anyone else here.
I love that Baron was funneling money to Druck without Edwards’ knowledge. Huh? Why was he doing it? Nice try.
If he has links to Obama, this might be bigger than we think.
Posted by: Wade | August 11, 2008, 5:13 pm 5:13 pm
Obama is so corrupt, I’m sure he knew about this affair the entire time.
Posted by: West | August 11, 2008, 5:17 pm 5:17 pm
Fred Baron, Edwards Mistress Funder, Fundraising for Obama?
Edwards Money Man Raising Cash for Obama? from Political Punch reports that , according to the Dallas Morning News Fred Baron, John Edwards money man who allegedly has supplied the funds for his mistress Rielle Hunter and the beard of
Posted by: PAXALLES | August 11, 2008, 5:22 pm 5:22 pm
Lobbists are registered and lobby legally. They an important part of democratic government. Not one politican would do away with lobbists.
Paying off mistresses in no way equates with lobbying. If Obama was in on the cover-up, that should be made public. It is dishonest to cover-up for Edwards and maybe even use it to blackmail him.
If Obama had any knowledge or participation in this the electorate has the right to know it!
Judgement to lead, indeed.
Posted by: SA | August 11, 2008, 5:51 pm 5:51 pm
easiest election in history for Democrats and they messed it up. Now they want to run a country
Posted by: tomahawk | August 11, 2008, 6:19 pm 6:19 pm
I insist on being “distracted” – has the Obama campaign responded yet?
Posted by: jose | August 11, 2008, 6:36 pm 6:36 pm
The timing of Edwards’ confession and Obama’s vacation a coincidence? I think not. I rather suspect we now know how Obama wrangled an endorsement from Edwards.
They deserve each other, and neither deserves to be in the White House, even as guests.
Posted by: LJC | August 11, 2008, 6:48 pm 6:48 pm
Obama trying to buy votes with thousand dollar rebate offer. He plans on paying for this rebate by making you pay more for gasoline by increasing the tax on it.
Posted by: buou | August 11, 2008, 7:06 pm 7:06 pm
You should see all of the former Edwards supporters whining about how they were duped. I can’t wait until the Obama supporters are in the same boat. Get ready for more fall out to come when he fails give HRC the VP spot.
Posted by: Samantha | August 11, 2008, 7:10 pm 7:10 pm
Obama is simply not trustworthy. Not to mention totally unqualified. I’m not thrilled about having to vote for McCain, but he’s definitely the lesser of two evils. The thought of dirty Obama trying to handle war…terrifying.
Democrat for McCain
Posted by: enough already! | August 11, 2008, 7:26 pm 7:26 pm
When the going gets tough Obama takes a vacation or gives a speech blaming every blunder of his on his race
Posted by: vation | August 11, 2008, 7:39 pm 7:39 pm
Follow the money. Where did Baron gain access to that kind of doe? Campaign contributions per chance?
Posted by: Tess | August 11, 2008, 7:49 pm 7:49 pm
Birds of a feather flock together! The one attracts like kind! Not surprised at all!
Posted by: Beckie | August 11, 2008, 8:01 pm 8:01 pm
I bet obama knew about the affair,the reason no big talk about Edwards being his VP.
Posted by: seah | August 11, 2008, 8:26 pm 8:26 pm
Sir Walter Scott said it best: “Oh what a tangled web we weave, When first we practice to deceive.”
Obama’s tangles are just beginning.
Posted by: Leisa | August 11, 2008, 9:56 pm 9:56 pm
Dear Sen. Obama, please pick Edwards as your VP. He is the most suitable running mate for your disrespectful campaign.
The Democratic Party will have the presidential nominee running his campaign on the race card and the VP running his campaign on dishonesty.
What a perfect match!
Posted by: EGNAHC08 | August 12, 2008, 3:41 am 3:41 am
I find it hilarious that Obama supporters think Obama is lobbyist free. They are just as naive as he is. This needs to be investigated. Obama doesn’t have the nomination yet. If there is funny business going on, the Dems can still choose HRC.
Posted by: Dawn | August 12, 2008, 9:18 am 9:18 am
Obama is NOT getting all his money from average american families as he would like people to think. When the “average” family is having a hard time with gas prices its highly unlikely that they are sending Obama $100 to $200 a month. Someone needs to follow the money trail. Mideast connection ? Iraqi billionaire participation ? We already know he takes money from executives and workers of oil and gas companies but he twists the truth and says he doesnt accept lobbyist money. Yeah just label it differently Bam Bam and maybe people wont notices. he is such a fraud its disgusting. The DNC needs to be dismantled. They have lost their minds pushing this empty suit on us. A vote for McCain will be a vote against Obama. Edwards was exposed for what he is …Obama is next !!
Posted by: JIMBO | August 12, 2008, 11:22 am 11:22 am
Okay try and follow me people. If Baron paid off Hunter at the same time as he was raising money for Obama this is a definite conflict of interest. He was a campaign finance chair for 2 presidential campaigns Edwards, Kerry.Not a small no name fundraiser. Something isn’t ethical here! Enough said!!
Posted by: Kevin | August 12, 2008, 4:49 pm 4:49 pm