Posted on 04/17/2003 10:57:56 PM PDT by LdSentinal
Pressure is beginning to grow on John Edwards to decide whether he plans to seek re-election to the U.S. Senate next year, as North Carolina Democrats fret that further delays could hamper efforts to hold the Senate seat. Two of the potential Democratic Senate candidates, former White House Chief of Staff Erskine Bowles and former state House Speaker Dan Blue, say they cannot afford to wait until the Feb. 27 candidate filing deadline before mounting a campaign for Edwards' seat.
Bowles said he ideally would like to launch a Senate campaign next month or, at the latest, by October. He said a later start gives one of the top GOP prospects, U.S. Rep. Richard Burr of Winston-Salem, a year's head start.
"It's something I would likely do if Edwards does not," Bowles said in an interview. "It depends to some extent on when he makes up his mind. If he waits until March next year, that is not enough time to raise the capital you need. The Republican would have too much of a head start."
Blue agreed. "I think in earnest we would need to get started in the fall. I think October is the outside. You have got to be able to have it ready and up and rolling by the time November rolls around."
Edwards has avoided saying whether he plans to seek a second Senate term. Although he may legally run for the Senate and for president, most observers expect him to choose one race or the other. He was campaigning for president in New Mexico on Tuesday and could not be reached for comment.
Asked about the Senate race last week, Edwards said, "I'm about the same place I've been. That's a decision that I'll make in consultation with people in North Carolina. ... I have not set a timetable."
Noting that the Senate filing deadline was the drop-dead time for a decision, Edwards said, "I might well decide before then."
Edwards' dilemma is that he might not have a good read on his presidential prospects until after the early tests: the Iowa caucus Jan. 19, the New Hampshire primary Jan. 27 and the South Carolina primary Feb. 3.
Another possible campaign milestone -- although less definitive than the primaries -- will be the so-called money primary. Some supporters suggest Edwards might want to wait until after third-quarter campaign finance reports, covering the period ending Sept. 30, are filed before making a decision.
Burr isn't waiting
Meanwhile, Burr has been speaking at GOP dinners and holding fund-raisers. He has collected a $2 million Senate campaign kitty and will raise more next week when White House political adviser Karl Rove headlines a fund-raiser for him in Winston-Salem. Today, Burr is scheduled to appear with U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Dole at a furniture plant in Mount Airy.
"There are a lot of advantages," Dan Allen, a spokesman for the National Republican Senatorial Committee in Washington, said of Burr's early campaigning. "[Burr] is making his way across the state, talking about the issues that matter to North Carolina, whereas right now Democrats are focused on Edwards, who is campaigning in Iowa and New Hampshire."
Bowles is supportive
Bowles, a Charlotte investment banker, said he has talked to Edwards about the need to make a decision.
Bowles and Edwards are close. Bowles was a leading advocate within Al Gore's inner circle for naming Edwards as Gore's vice presidential running mate in 2000.
Bowles was also chairman of Edwards' New American Optimist political committee, helping raise money for the senator. He organized a fund-raiser for Edwards on Wall Street last month and plans a second event at his home in Charlotte this spring.
"I'm for John," Bowles said. "As far as my chance to run for the Senate, all of this is in John's hands. I am going to support John no matter what direction he takes."
Since losing to Dole in November, Bowles has remained politically active. He attended two oyster roasts sponsored by state Senate leader Marc Basnight in Eastern North Carolina, he has spoken at a Planned Parenthood event in Charlotte and at a banquet honoring former state Sen. Jim Richardson, a prominent African-American leader in Charlotte.
Blue tries to stay alive
Blue also has a personal relationship with Edwards. He endorsed Edwards in the 1998 Democratic Senate primary. Blue said he has been making calls for Edwards in key primary states but has not talked to Edwards about speeding up his decision.
Since his Democratic primary loss to Bowles, Blue said he has been working to keep his political network alive. He spoke at Wilmington Mayor Harper Peterson's campaign re-election kickoff recently; he is scheduled to speak at several Democratic district conventions next month; and he also attended the Richardson event.
Having just spent $13.2 million in the Senate race, about half of it his own money, Bowles is far better known across North Carolina than Blue or Burr.
Bowles' name was recognized by 87 percent of those surveyed in a poll conducted last month by Elon University, compared with 36 percent for Burr and 37.3 percent for Blue. Edwards was recognized by 81 percent.
The only way he could begin a campaign next February, Blue said, was if he were virtually unopposed in the primary.
"I can't write a $6 million or $7 million check," Blue said.
Barbara Allen, the state Democratic Party chairwoman, said she is not concerned that Edwards' uncertainty is hurting the Democrats.
"I think he will make a decision sooner rather than later," Allen said. "I don't think he will wait until February. Knowing John, he is a great strategist. I don't think he will make a decision at the last minute."
Edwards will have held a major office for almost six years by election time.
Then Gov. Bush held a major office for almost six years by election time.
The criticism doesn't carry much weight in this race. It was one of the few valid criticisms, IMHO, during the Bush vs. Gore race.
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