Thanks for Your Sympathy, Now Send Us Money

John Edwards is benefitting mightily from the sympathy generated by his wife's illness (from Special Report):

The outpouring of sympathy for John and Elizabeth Edwards following news her cancer has returned has benefited Edwards' presidential campaign in more ways that just a bump in the polls. It has also swelled the campaign's list of potential financial contributors.

The Washington Post reports that well-wishers who sent notes to the Edwards' via their Web site were added to the campaign's e-mail data base and promptly sent solicitations for money.

The whole thing, from the initial press conference to this story of how sympathizers are being added to the email list, looks more and more like a carefully crafted political strategy designed to boost the Edwards campaign.