Democrats Question Kerry's Campaign Funds

[tritsofme]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20041117/ap_on_re_us/democrats_kerry_1

WASHINGTON - Democratic Party leaders said Wednesday they want to know why Sen. John Kerry (news - web sites) ended his presidential campaign with more than $15 million in the bank, money that could have helped Democratic candidates across the country.


Some said he will be pressured to give the money to Democratic campaign committees rather than save it for a potential White House bid in 2008.


"Democrats are questioning why he sat on so much money that could have helped him defeat George Bush (news - web sites) or helped down-ballot races, many of which could have gone our way with a few more million dollars," said Donna Brazile, campaign manager for Al Gore (news - web sites)'s 2000 presidential race.

<SNIP>

Kerry had roughly $45 million left in his primary campaign fund as of mid-October, according to his Federal Election Commission (news - web sites) report, and could use that as seed money for another presidential bid.


His final report is not due until next month, but officials close to Kerry said he has $15 million to $17 million in that account, with no outstanding debts, after giving the DNC about $23 million and state parties about $9 million since the mid-October report.
<SNIP>

I don't see why this money wasn't spent throughout the campaign or given to Democrats in need of it?

[mrdmk]

1. There is a different amount of approx. $50 million

This story is on a different subject, but...

http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=04/11/17/1525203

[Tab]

39. No, not different amount...

he has $15 million to $17 million in that account, with no outstanding debts, after giving the DNC about $23 million and state parties about $9 million since the mid-October report.

He ended the campaign with $50 million more or less

50 million
-23 million (to DNC)
- 9 million (to state parties)
-----------
18 million remaining

which is in line with this article (15 to 17).

[Coyul]

2. Man...never thought I would say this!

The Green Party is correct, there is only one political party...it's called....the "Not our Party!" And it needs to be stopped! PERIOD!

[lateo]

18. Indeed.

Maybe now some of the people who were so rabidly pro-Kerry can start eating their crow.

[PhuLoi]

31. I'm spitting feathers as I type.

"Left Behind: old school democrats" available at bookstores soon.

[alittlelark]

44. I've been thinking that for almost a week now.

If Kerry does not say anything about this vote fraud before Dec3rd(?). I will be forced to believe that Nader was right. I have a hard time even typing that....

[ilovenicepeople]

56. Congratulations on waking up Coyul

I like to use the analogy :The government gives you two choices who to vote for,no matter who wins the government is still in power.(pretty neat huh) You have to watch what you say here though,some people still think kERRY is different than bUSH and kERRY is still going to fight for what's right.WAKE UP PEOPLE YOUVE BEEN PUNKED!!

[ogradda]

3. interesting

considering the desperate emails i was getting that last month. i wonder if i could ask for that last months worth of money i sent back?:eyes:

[xultar]

4. No Shit. n/t

[99Pancakes]

15. Yeah, I have to laugh when I read that!

It seems Mary Beth was begging for money every other day in an e-mail during the final months of the campaign and I thought, "Geez! How many times do I have to dig into my pocket already?" Hmmmmmm......I'll be a little PO'ed if Kerry claims squater's rights on that money after we all here in the DU are suffering from "irregularity" ( the voter kind.)

<deep breath>Well, my e-mails have been on the "having faith" side---I've been holding out for Kerry's "covert voter count". But if inauguration day comes and goes, and Kerry's still windsurfin' 50 mil away, I'll be none too pleased.

[City Lights]

20. And like a fool, I fell for them numerous times.

:spank:

[Politicub]

35. It makes you wonder about the point of the continued fundraising

If he had more than enough money. I will have to think long and hard before I contribute to a national candidate again. I think organizations like Moveon.org and others like it will be getting contributions that I would otherwise send to the nominee.

[shance]

72. You bet you can, and if you'll pardon me, you should.

Kerry's actions are getting closer and closer to resembling unethical, if not worse.

Do what you can to take your power back from a ethically challenged DNC and perhaps and equally ethically challenged presidential candidate.

[Leilani]

79. But it is the DNC questioning this

they needed money for House & Senate races; Kerry kept the money, & they had to borrow.

That's the story on Yahoo, latest version.

[Larkspur]

5. This makes me even happier that I did not donate to Kerry the Kurmudgen

Seed money for a 2008 run. Kerry YOU ARE UNELECTIBLE!!!

[LeighAnn]

10. Actually, I think he was elected

Hopefully he's saving the money for legal challenges. Ha ha, I know, but still...

I think he was really elected.

[eowyn_of_rohan]

46. That was my thought too.

We can only hope.

[ilovenicepeople]

58. We can only hope,

that Kerry and Bush being 3rd cousins and both belonging to the same satanic cult has no bearing on the recount.I HOPE

[eowyn_of_rohan]

60. 3rd cousins?

I know the skull&bones stuff, but this is a new one to me. And BTW, I have considered all along that may be being stifled, blackmailed, threatened or something, due to the known skullduggery of bush.inc. and the S&B ties

[eowyn_of_rohan]

61. I meant to write that kerry would be stifled, etc -nt

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

12. Yeah and I'm happy you slammed him every chance you got..that helped

uh...he came within 130,000 votes in a state with a corrupt elections official...let's see..in the primaries your candidate Howard Dean won...oh yeah...Vermont..and blew 45 million in two small states...he really woulda done a better job of managing his campaign finances and stretching it through the elections...oh yeah..he didn't.

[IndianaGreen]

19. Dean would not have thrown the towel before the votes were all counted

Kerry raised the white flag, played retreat on his buggle, and put his swift boat on flank speed and left us all wondering if he really won Ohio, and if he did, if he would even bother to contest the election at all!

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

25. Assumes facts not yet in evidence...

[Politicub]

36. We can only speculate

I don't think Dean would have thrown in the towel as quickly as Kerry, but you never know.

[Carolab]

99. For the Nth time Dean was sabotaged

by the Party, and by a 527 of which some of Kerry's pals were members--you can "read all about it" at the Center For Public Integrity's website: "A Political Mugging in America".

[Larkspur]

112. Kerry deserved more slamming than what I gave out

He colluded with ex-Sen. Torricelli of ethics violations fame as well as Gephardt's and Clark's aides to use Rovian tactics to torpedo Dean's campaign.

Then after Dean lost his nomination bid, Kerry's aides demanded that Dean and his supporters vote for Kerry to oust Bush and all Kerry wanted out of Dean and Dean's supporters is our money and time. Well I agreed to vote for Kerry, which I found hard to do, but I refused to donate to Kerry's campaign because of the unethical tactics his aides used against Dean in the primaries.

Just remember, if it wasn't for the ABB vote, Kerry would have lost in a landslide. I'm very proud now that I did not donate time or money to the Bore from Boston.

[L84TEA]

6. well...if your not going to say anything nice...

... I guess that means I am gonna SHUT UP.
.
.
Thanks for nuttin... Kerry... At least donate it to the Edwards 2008 because if this IS true.. Your history in 08.

[martinolich]

21. ..Damn right!

...I worked hard for him AND donated...but I'll tell ya, at this point, my trust in him is fading fast...I got a letter from the DNC - ostensibly from "John Kerry"..(right!)...Thanking me..blah, blah., and enclosed was a little self-addressed address envelope discreetly telling me to "make out my check" to the DNC...I sent it back empty giving them a piece of my mind regarding the early concession and the re-count..I also asked them if they REALLY thought that at this point, people were stupid enough to give them money...what jerks!

[Name removed]

29. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Seabiscuit]

37. When you look at the facts long enough there's only one conclusion:

Kerry is a crook who cheated and deceived and defrauded his constituency. And he wants to hang onto our money that he didn't spend as promised?

Fuck him.

[DemNoir]

7. This is disturbing...

I was hammered with breathless fund raising calls up to the last day. Like a fool I donated!

[sonicx]

8. Delay's oppenent coulda used a few thou...

[JudyM]

63. Big groan here. Ugh. DeLay. That would've been a good spend.

[Leilani]

80. What about the really close Senate races?

They could have used help.

[pleiku52cab]

9. More importantly

why is this money not being used to fund the fraud investigations and the legal challenges already launched by others

[eowyn_of_rohan]

47. Maybe they know something about this that we don't -nt

[L84TEA]

107. Ok this is my NEW thinking...

I am wondering if Kerry is going to need that money to take all this crap to court??? Maybe that is the strong hold for it???
I don't know but I keep thinking that he will need it all for legal funds...and letting the smaller organizations take care of the leg work???

[zulchzulu]

11. He should allocate all of it toward the 2006 elections

Start with getting some independent groups that will look at election reform.

If anything, the leftover money shows Kerry knows how to handle money. :->

[99Pancakes]

17. Now that's a good point.

Shows he can keep the US of A in the black. Hmmm. Hadn't thought of that. Well, at least he's not on a spending spee somewhere. ha-ha.

[BlueManDude]

13. Funny how Donna Brazile always shows up to critisize

a fellow Democrat.

[Qutzupalotl]

23. Right. Thanks a lot, Donna.

Your friend Karl put you up to this?

[AngryWhiteLiberal]

52. Brazille is a stinking pile of DLC Dem shit...

It's people like Brazille and Lieberman that have watered down the liberal ideals that once made the Dem Party a wonderful thing.

JB

[Supersedeas]

110. my thoughts exactly....Donna Brazille AGAIN???

she was less than enthusiastic
and less than well informed during the campaign
now this

[OutsourceBush]

14. Why didn't he spend this money in Ohio and Florida this year?

geesh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



We need someone in 08 who is willing to do what it takes to win.



http://www.BigTentDemocrats.com

[a new day]

24. He was so busy weighing the pros and cons,

it was Nov. 3 by the time he decided.

Kerry, another Mario Cuomo.

[liberalpragmatist]

38. He couldn't spend it after the convention

He took public funds, so he was barred from spending any of this money.

Now why he didn't give it to Democratic candidates, I don't know.

[Leilani]

75. The latest version of this story on Yahoo

says the House Dem Campaign Committee & the Senate Dem Campaign Committee had to borrow money at the end of the campaign.

There were so many close House & Senate races needed money, but didn't have it.

Unbelievable!

[Name removed]

76. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[progressoid]

16. 7 million of which

was "on hand in a legal and accounting compliance fund that he could use for legal expenses in a 2008 campaign" SO USE IT in OHIO!

[Democat]

22. The Kerry campaign looks more like a disaster the closer you look at it

They couldn't beat the worst president in recent U.S. history, they couldn't even damage him, and their nice and safe strategy sucked.

The Democrats never fucking learn.

[gulfcoastliberal]

62. Sums it up nicely. But is it they don't learn or've been co-opted?

It's either the most moronic train wreck ever or something more insidious yet hidden in plain sight.

[ilovenicepeople]

74. Nothing more insidious then being told you have a choice and a democracy

from a dictator(AND BELIEVING IT):boring: :boring: :boring: :boring: :boring: :boring: :boring: :boring:

[AP]

26. Brazille is one to talk. Gore finished with 2-5 million (IIRC) in the bank

while spent almost everything.

[Barkley]

45. Yeah, But Gore Won in 2000!

[AP]

51. Maybe if he spent another 100k, he would have won by even more...

...so much more, that he'd actually be president.

[Barkley]

97. Gore failed to defend his victory in 2000, he had enough votes!

Perhaps 100,000K more would have given Gore more votes who knows?

But one thing for sure he won the popular vote and Florida too if had
defended his victory.

[BuelahWitch]

104. Holy Joe and the other DLC Dems wanted him to fold

"for the good of the country." :eyes:

[RedEarth]

27. Unbelievable.....the last month of the campaign, I was getting emails

EVERYDAY begging for more money.......sounds like they really put it to good use....numerous house and senate races could have used some extra cash to counter the repub ads......really pisses me off.

[holboz]

109. Got one just last week from Donna...

asking me donate $ to help fund the democratic candidate in a run-off election next month in Lousiana.

[muse]

28. I'm confused. Isn't this Kerry campaign money, not DNC money? He couldn't

spend this $45 million after the convention if it was his own campaign money. The DNC was running the campaign after that. Aren't we confusing the DNC pleas for money with this leftover money? Am I confused?

[SeattleDem]

30. I'm confused too - you can spend the $$, just not raise more

I thought it worked like this:

you try to raise money like crazy before the convention, because once you are nominated and accept public funds, you cannot fund raise directly yourself.

However, you can spend whatever you've amassed up until the election.

It wouldn't make any sense to forbid someone from spending the money they raised prior to the convention.

I do think many of the posters here are confusing the requests from the DNC with Kerry's money. Those are indeed separate funds. The DNC could fundraise all it wanted for Kerry and other candidates. Kerry could not fundraise for himself after Boston.

[Malva Zebrina]

32. I am equally as suspicious of organisations

that have appeared desperately soliciting and wanting donations to fund their efforts at exposing fraud in the voting process including their air fares and their hotel accomodations.

Read it carefully and research their track record and reputation carefully before sending them your hared earned money to do nothing but spin in your face.

Be very careful who you send your money to and make sure where it is going and what for. Demand that you will be given a complete record of how and why and where that money was being spent.

Examine in detail and with your ability to discern, every report from them and determine if you are being scammed for the money it desires.

A fool and his money is soon parted--do not out of exuberance and wishful thinking, donate money to a spin doctor who knows how to spin and who knows how to pull the wool over your eyes.

[Laelth]

33. Good Question. Only 2 possible answers.

1) He knew he was going to lose (cuz' he knew the fix was in, not only in his race, but in all the down-ticket races). Why would you spend the money knowing you were going to lose?

or,

2) He thought he was going to win, and he was already saving up for his 2008 re-election bid (in which case he's really a greedy bast* for putting his re-election ahead of his party and its needy down-ticket candidates).

Personally, I find option #1 easier to believe, but I could be wrong.

-Laelth

[Politicub]

34. I'm curious as to why it wasn't spent either

[Ima]

40. I'm just wondering

If most of the spending the money issue, wasn't delegated to some one, rather than Kerry handling that personally?


I can't imagine Kerry micro-managing every aspect of his campaign.


Who would have been responsible for the money?

[zulchzulu]

41. Would Brazile be happier if Kerry was $15 Mill in the hole?

OK. You send a check to the Kerry campaign. it goes to the Kerry campaign. What they do or don't do with it is up to them.



As for Brazile, she's been trying to shoot at Kerry for a while. Here's some stuff she brought up last May:

"In a new sign of growing political discontent among the Democrats' large minority base, Miss Brazile, who managed Al Gore's presidential campaign in 2000 -- the first black woman to hold that post in her party -- admonished the Kerry campaign for not involving more minorities in the development of the Massachusetts senator's campaign policy, strategy and message.

    "The last thing the Democratic Party needs in 2004 is to repeat the failures of its most recent past on matters of race and inclusion," Miss Brazile wrote in this week's edition of Roll Call, the Capitol Hill newspaper.
    "If the past is indeed prologue, this message has been lost on Sen. John Kerry's campaign, which has failed to understand how to navigate one of the most important issues in American politics: race relations and diversity."

snip

"Kerry campaign officials deny that minorities are not represented in its highest councils, pointing to deputy campaign manager Marcus Jardotte and senior adviser Art Collins, both of whom are black, and senior political adviser Paul Rivera, who is Hispanic."

http://www.washingtontimes.com/functions/print.php?StoryID=20040504-110932-5540r

I guess that Brazile forgets that Kerry had a 100% rating with the NAACP and was always very strong on minority issues.

What needs to be considered is that Brazile (who ran Gore's losing 2000 campaign) is trying to get in the news and maybe get the DNC top post over Howard Dean and others.

God help us.

[Ima]

43. i wonder about her

"What needs to be considered is that Brazile (who ran Gore's losing 2000 campaign) is trying to get in the news and maybe get the DNC top post over Howard Dean and others"



She did seem like she had an axe to grind. I thought maybe she was upset AG didn't get the nomination.

[NurseLefty]

42. Kerry better speak up NOW.

He has to answer to the THOUSANDS of people, who for the first time gave their money/time to a presidential election.
I gave $35 in the last week of the campaign - my 3rd donation to Kerry. I relented after getting ALL THOSE EMAILS!
35 bucks may seem like a small amount, but I am a full-time college student on a tight budget.

Memo to Sen. Kerry: There are millions of voters who are discouraged and jaded by your defeat and retreat. If you want us to stay permanently turned off from the process, continue to stay silent.
You have a great deal of explaining to do! We are all ears!


:grr:

[eowyn_of_rohan]

Maybe he has a better strategy

I think we shouldn't write him off yet.

[IndianaGreen]

87. I am sure Kerry has a plan about that too!

Don't worry, be happy.

More Kool-Aid? :beer:

[JudyM]

67. Thanks for giving that money. It could've helped. I gave in the last

2 weeks because of those constant pleas, too. Like the one where Gore said he wish he'd had more money at the end of his campaign, because he had to make choices between different necessities. Pisses me off and I'm going to try to stop payment on that charge.

[Catt03]

48. Maybe he thinks like I do....

The DNC sucks and the DLC is pathetic.

Why would I want my money to go to them? I donated to MoveOn's congressional board.....do every year.

[CBHagman]

49. Simmer down, folks.

We don't have the final report, and this is the first article I've seen on this.

Also, regarding the fundraising e-mails we got in the final weeks of the campaign, a lot of those were for DNC funds in general and Senate races in particular, not specifically targeted to the Kerry campaign. I realize the e-mails themselves could be confusing as to who or what receives the funding.

But no circular firing squads, folks.

[sweetladybug]

50. I think he is laying low and getting his proof that he won this election

and this extra money will come in handy for legal matters, but I could be wrong. But, I trust him and will give him a benefit of a doubt now.

[Pastiche423]

54. I really, really, really need

a pair of rose-colored glasses. Could I borrow yours?

[OutsourceBush]

65. lol

[JudyM]

69. I wish he'd use it now. Bev is running around trying to gather evidence

that's being tossed in the trash! Without evidence we're nowhere. Now is the time to spend that money, IMO. If he runs out and the evidence shows there's something to fight for, don't you think he'd be able to round up more instantly from all of us?

[liberal al zib]

106. Which

Kool-Aid flavor do you prefer?

[flpoljunkie]

53. Article written by the troublemaker, AP's Ron Fournier.

http://www.boston.com/news/politics/president/kerry/articles/2004/11/17/democrats_question_kerrys_campaign_nest_egg/

Kerry had roughly $45 million left in his primary campaign fund as of mid-October, according to his Federal Election Commission report, and could use that as seed money for another presidential bid.

His final report is not due until next month, but officials close to Kerry said he has $15 million to $17 million in that account, with no outstanding debts, after giving the DNC about $23 million and state parties about $9 million since the mid-October report.

In addition, the report showed that Kerry had about $7 million on hand in a legal and accounting compliance fund that he could use for legal expenses in a 2008 campaign. Officials said he raised several million more for that account since the filing. Last summer, Kerry donated $3 million each to the House and Senate campaign committees and $2 million to the Democratic Governors Association.

While Kerry has likely given more money to state committees than any other nominee, no other Democrat has raised as much as he did. And second-guessing Democrats said Wednesday they couldn't recall a candidate leaving so much money on the table after a campaign.

"He's going to have to give some of it up for 2005 and beyond," Brazile said. "The party will demand it." 

___________________

It looks like the money was given to John Kerry's primary campaign, not to the DNC, and he has already given $32 million of this $45 million to the DNC and various state parties so it's wrong to imply that he has $45 million in this account! Perhaps Mr. Fournier is embellishing what Brazile said. I am sure John Kerry will act responsibly with whatever money remains in his campaign account. He does not need Karl Rove's lunch buddy to advise him.

[savistocate]

57. "He does not need Rove's lunch buddy -----"

(((((((Reeeeaaaallllyyyy)))))))

[seriousstan]

55. I just learned bout GELAC last night....this STILL on the Kerry website

Contributing to the Kerry-Edwards 2004 General Election Legal and Accounting Compliance Fund (GELAC) provides important support for our campaign. The Federal Election Commission has just granted our request to raise funds now to cover recount expenses. Your contribution to Kerry-Edwards 2004 GELAC will provide the resources to make sure we are prepared to win the post election day battles.
In addition to recount costs, GELAC helps pay for legal and accounting expenses incurred by the campaign. By paying for these expenses with GELAC funds, the campaign is able to spend more of its limited public funds on critical campaign expenses such as media, candidate travel and direct contact with voters.

[Divine Discontent]

59. Sometimes I thank God

FOR UNANSWERED PRAYERS, REMEMBER WHEN YOU'RE TALKING TO THE MAN UPSTAIRS, JUST BECAUSE HE MAY NOT ANSWER, DOESN'T MEAN HE DOESN'T CARE, SOME OF GOD'S GREATEST GIFTS ARE UNANSWERED PRAYERS!

pretty much how I feel now, after donating for the first time ever, MULTIPLE times to DFA, and Kerry for President, if this silence from Kerry & Edwards remains just like this, with no question about all the dirty election fraud that went on in Fla, and Ohio, oh yeah, NM, oh and NV!!

maybe we should be glad they didn't get in to disappoint us, sorry I'm just so demoralized by the whole way things went down... and then to top that, Kindasleezi Rice getting S.O.S. position made me RALPH in my MOUTH! "I believe the title was "Bin Laden determined to attack within the United States" ---- whore, total whore. did you see how she got all gooey when Shrub was making his announcement that she was his new "secretary" ??? and don't forget the Kiss!

[VegasWolf]

64. Damn, I want to be a politician, even if you lose, you can make millions!

[Native]

66. Has everyone forgotten?

It was decided in the beginning of the campaign to hold onto a huge chunk to cover possible legal fees IF & when they would be needed re vote count discrepancies. So there's money left over. I'd be more concerned if there wasn't. What a bunch of turncoats. No wonder we lost. You've got the Republicans changing rules to protect a criminal like DeLay, and then you have us - lambasting our candidate at the slightest possibility of the slightest hint of anything questionable. Give me a fucking break.

[JudyM]

70. With all respect, doesn't that beg the question

of why he's not spending the surplus right now in support of the investigation of all the inconsistencies?

[Native]

78. wondering & questioning is one thing

attacking someone's character with such rabidity is a bit unconscionable, don't you think?

[JudyM]

90. (nods in agreement) n/t

[GoddessOfGuinness]

93. I agree, and as to the question of why he isn't

spending it now:
1. We don't know that he isn't spending it now on an investigation.

2. Sitting on it, allowing the thugs to get comfortable, announce new cabinet posts, and reinstate the draft will drum up support from fundies who suddenly feel betrayed by their sleazeball leaders.

True, this is pure conjecture, but so are suggestions that he mishandled funds at this point. I'd rather wait and see what happens before I tar and feather anybody.

[LittleClarkie]

95. Yep, I don't pretend to know what's going on exactly

I've never paid attention before. And I don't have all the facts yet now, I reckon.

But I must say I'm kind of sorry now I bragged in an email to the media that we weren't for the most part just a bunch of ABBers who didn't really support our candidate, esp. toward the end there.

I guess Rush was right... (snap) ... my god ... my tongue ... Ethcuth me ... I have to go catchth it now.

[Leilani]

68. It's not only Donna Brazille talking about this

The article says Congressional Dems, Labor Leaders, & Kerry AIDES?

This is very, very disappointing!

[RyomaSakamoto]

71. but he neeeeeeeds it for 08!

he'll be back then... to storm the beaches :bounce:

he's gonna need a WAR CHEST... hello!

:evilgrin:

[w4rma]

73. Folks this is the after the election smear that big media does to all Dems

They did it Clinton (remember the silverware?)
They did it to Dean (spent too much on states he didn't win)
They are now doing it to Kerry (didn't spend enough on states he maybe didn't win)

Or maybe it's the after the election smear that Dem turncoats do to ourselves? No discipline. No loyalty.

Well, too late now, this will be all over the right-wing websites and talkshows if it isn't already.

And Sen. Kerry's campaign manager is a total idiot for letting this get out of hand. The campaign is over, but Cahill should have dealt with this immediately. Super-immediately.

[Leilani]

82. Aren't you shooting the messenger?

And I really don't care about bad press & "appearances."

I care about the facts of the issue!

[w4rma]

83. I'm waiting patiently for Kerry's response.

If it is not satisfying, I'll be out for blood. I think it will be though. Kerry's a good guy. He has no need for a few million, especially at the expense of his reputation. Plus, the guy writing this article for the AP is utterly untrustworthy so I take anything he says with lots of salt.

[Leilani]

85. I wish I had your optimism!

I've been patient till now, however anger is taking over.

[RyomaSakamoto]

89. i have visions of GORE gavelling your hopes to dust

:cry:

[VegasWolf]

77. Actually, a lot of us are questioning Kerry's BALLS, is he going to

leave all the vote rigging issues to the 3rd party candidates?

[IndianaGreen]

88. Why not?

Actually, a lot of us are questioning Kerry's BALLS, is he going to leave all the vote rigging issues to the 3rd party candidates?

Why not? It is the third party candidates such as David Cobb that advocated a progressive agenda, including the immediate withdrawal from Iraq, total repeal of PATRIOT, and full equal rights for gays and lesbians including same sex marriage.

[VegasWolf]

92. Good point! Disgusting isn't it.

[pig.]

81. Is it possible Kerry doesn't want to win?

What is he waiting for? Seriously. What? Voter fraud being uncovered in state after state after state. Election outcomes being overturned.

I mean strategy is one thing, but I don't get this at all...

Is he evidence gathering? .....

The longer he is silent the more it unnerves me. hoping he has something up his sleeve.

[American Tragedy]

84. I am going to reserve judgment on all this until inauguration

I had assumed that he would be setting aside millions for the inevitable legal battles after the election. I only hope that he is putting it to use.

It is definitely far too early for the ineffectual Donna Brazile to be tearing Kerry apart in public. I've always thought that she did us more harm than good.

[geek tragedy]

86. I was given grief for calling him a Donkeysaur. I feel vindicated. eom

[bvar22]

91. Stop sending money to repubs in Dem clothing.

I send my money here:
http://www.pdamerica.org/


One of the things PDA is doing with my money:

<snip>

"The legitimacy of the American elections is under heavy scrutiny. Organizations such as BlackBoxVoting.org are making massive efforts to determine exactly what happened on Nov. 2nd, 2004. Will their research change the outcome of the elections? Will it remove the sense of betrayal many of us felt on Nov. 3rd? Not likely, but there are many reasons to make sure every vote is counted, and only one of them is to determine the winner."

<end snip>

I stopped sending money to the DNC/DLC after the infameous Kerry statenment that "If I knew then..."(you know the rest)

I sleep better.

[Lone Pawn]

94. If he had shunted those $17M to OH...

President-elect Kerry.

Or if he had given it to OK and AK Dems, we might not be in such a bad position in the senate.

Damn, that makes me angry.

[NVMojo]

96. wah!!!

wasn't this the money for vote audits in case it was needed?

[depakid]

98. because the Kerry camp GAVE UP on the House & Senate...

And refused to naionalize the campaign.

Reason number 91 out of 900 that Dean would have been the far better candidate.

Oh, and all that talk about having to act like Dukakis and be silent in August- looks like that wasn't a money problem after all, but a "strategy call."

[Carolab]

100. Kerry Almost Doubled Bush's Recount Funds

Kerry Almost Doubles Bush's Recount Funds
Primary campaign funds give Kerry the edge

By Alex Knott

WASHINGTON, November 1, 2004 — Sen. John F. Kerry may have a $24.8 million advantage over President George W. Bush in pursuing any recounts that result from Tuesday's election, according to the campaigns' most recent financial filings.

Under Federal Election Commission rules, both candidates are allowed to use remaining funds from their primary election committees to conduct recount activities, which in Kerry's case amounts to just under $45 million. That compares to just more than $16 million left over in the Bush/Cheney primary election committee's coffers.

Those funds, combined with the cash on hand each campaign reported for accounting and legal costs, give Kerry a total of $51.6 million that could possibly be used for potential recounts, according to the campaign's pre-General Election filings. By contrast, the Bush campaign has $26.8 million. Bob Biersack, spokesperson for the Federal Election Commission, said "it's possible" that Kerry could use the leftover $45 million from his primary funds for recounts. "There should not be any problem with them using primary funds for a recount," Biersack told the Center for Public Integrity. "One of the clearly permissible uses would be a transfer to a party and the party could use that money for a recount."


The candidates' funds would not be the only source of cash available for recount efforts. Both political parties are allowed to participate, and as in 2000 the campaigns could establish separate fundraising committees.

In phone calls with the Center, spokesmen for both the Kerry campaign and the Democratic National Committee would not speculate on how they intend to use the $45 million in leftover primary funds.

(more) http://www.publicintegrity.org/bop2004/report.aspx?aid=418&sid=200

[Sukie1941]

101. So much for loyalty, and I am talking about DU posters

Why aren't you giving Kerry the benefit of the doubt so he and his campaign people can respond to these "charges?"

Why would Kerry stash money? Especially knowing he would be found out? Why would he even need to?

I think Donna Brazile might be miffed that she was not chosen Kerry's campaign manager like she was for Gore.

[UL_Approved]

102. True, very true

We here at the DU can sit here and kibitz all day long about left over money. Like stated in an earlier post in this thread, this is post-election smear intended to seal the idea that we chose the right guy after all is said and done. Just more "proof" that the RW pundits were right all along. Quit whining, get up, and be patient. We don't know what strategy is going on now. We don't know what will happen in the coming weeks. And before we run off to a bunker lined with tin foil, cowering in fear over the skull-and-bones conspiracy, let's just see what happens. This is the ULTIMATE sign that the GOP won the election: they are getting the Democrats to turn on their own guy. Don't be played people, and I'm referring to the RW talking heads, not a Democratic candidate who has PROVEN more fiscal responsibility than Bush (he is IN THE BLACK, after all).

On another subject, Welcome to DU!

:hi:

[WCGreen]

103. In the close states, Ohio and FLA especially,

all the local air time had been purchased. There simply was no more inventory to be had...

Also, the FEC has strict rules and regulations as to how money can be spent.

We don't know all the facts as of yet...

DB is a relentless self promoter who has done nothing for the democratic party other than destroy the campaign of a highly electable sitting vp, gone on any and all talk shows to degrade and denegrate any and all democratic candidates and who seems to b extrememly jealous of Carvell and Begala......

It's not because shes black....
It's causes she's a hack....

[bklyncowgirl]

105. They could have used some of that money in non battleground states

And maybe cut into some of Bush's popular vote and made pursuing a recount strategy more viable.

[demokatgurrl]

108. Can you even IMAGINE this happening in the Repub

party? QUESTIONING the Bush campaign, or Bush, period?
No f'ing way.

[unfrigginreal]

111. I'm sure there's a good explanation for this

a principled character like Kerry would never selfishly hang on to funds that could have helped the party. Never!

Like I said in another thread, he's probably stashing these funds for our benefit. To keep the DNC chair in good hands and to use them to get an electable candidate for 2008.

[random fox]

113. I think..

http://www.indianexpress.com/full_story.php?content_id=59088

"It’s been two weeks since Kerry lost to George W. Bush. ‘‘The votes have not all been counted in New Mexico and Ohio,’’ says Kerry’s campaign and Senate spokesman David Wade, who is waiting for Kerry outside the strategy meeting. ‘‘And if you believe some of what you read on the Internet...” Wade is referring to the litany of conspiracy theories about voting irregularities. He says this while rolling his eyes. Message: Kerry is back at work. "

To my knowledge there has never been an instance where a recount has ousted the nation's current president (though not when there was no incumbent, we all saw bush win 2000 with a recount unfortunately). I think with history against him Kerry should be picking up full throttle instead of laying back and acting like he isn't going to do anything, at least try harder if he is.

My point in showing this isn't to cause trouble. I think there's a good moral in this for the democratic party, as it was pointed out by another poster this shows that Kerry/Edwards may not have been the best choice (although better than bush and that's why I voted for them).

I agree with another post about how we shouldn't all be thumbing our noses at Kerry because things look bad, but I don't think blind faith in him is the key either. I think instead of hoping Kerry is going to pull a miracle out of his hat and erase bush's reign, we should be focusing on a true reform of the candidates chosen for the democratic office. Though I prefer democrats there is very seldom a man (or woman if the case comes) that will give the people a sure fire confidence. I think the message should be hope, not just in our candidate, but in the sense we ensure our candidate is going to stick to his guns and fly towards victory instead of pondering when time is running out.

No offense meant to Kerry supporters or those now currently angry at him of course, I'm currently lacking the faith in Kerry that many here have though. I hope dearly that things do go out better, but I think that the greater message instead of dividing against eachother in our own party would be to ensure the party is everything /both/ sides want it to be. Instead of dividing against ourselves trying to put in the strongest voices we can, while carrying the ideals we all love democrats for.

The new democratic leader said that we can either 'dance or fight, and I want to dance'. I don't want to do either -- I want to succeed. Kerry was a lot like loving someone, you put aside their flaws and try to look at only the good qualities, only then after it's over realizing just how many bad qualities they may have had. I think the democratic party deserves candidates who won't leave a bad taste in their mouth for any reason, but be the strong individuals we want them to be; and hope they really are.

I know this was a bit off topic to the original post (although democrats questioning Kerry seems to be close to what I had to say) and a tad controversial (for which I apologize prior), however I think the strongest message among democrats shouldn't be whether Kerry is right or if he was wrong, but going above Kerry himself to find a man who won't leave us guessing.