Will Edwards Get Blame for Pro-Clinton Union's Attack?

by Josh Gerstein
Thu, 20 Dec 2007 at 12:33 AM
updated Thu, 20 Dec 2007 at 1:12 AM

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A major union, Afscme, is going after Senator Obama of Illinois with a negative mail piece that Iowa voters may conclude came from John Edwards.

"Barack Obama's health care plan is not up to the job," the mailer says. It goes on to note that "John Edwards has said 'as many as 15 million Americans would be without coverage' ... under Obama's plan."

Senator Clinton is not mentioned at all in the mailing, despite the fact that, at the national level, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees has endorsed her.

The quote from Mr. Edwards and the absence of any reference to Mrs. Clinton could lead some voters to conclude that the mailing came from Mr. Edwards's campaign or at least his backers.

The mailing does contain a legal disclaimer saying it was "not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee."

Union officials did not respond to calls seeking comment.

The New York Sun broke the story of the negative mailing on Tuesday. More reaction to it in the latest edition of the Sun's political column, On The Hustings.

UPDATE: Our colleagues at MSNBC's First Read noticed the same thing about the Afscme flyer a few hours ago.

Related Topics: Dem Primary

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