Shaming Donor Kerry

[brooklynite]

POLITICAL NOTEBOOK: Shaming Donor Kerry
By WILL LESTER, Associated Press Writer

Democrats could win the House and maybe even the Senate next month. So why isn't John Kerry, the party's 2004 presidential nominee, opening his wallet to help?

That's the question raised on a Web site, heyjohn.org, which points out Americans gave more than $300 million to the Massachusetts senator's bid for the White House two years ago and argues Kerry should be more generous.

"He's still hanging on to $8,352,685 of our money, while Democratic candidates in competitive districts are short on funds," the Web site says. After the 2004 election, many Democrats questioned why Kerry didn't spend all his campaign money trying to unseat President Bush.

Two Democratic senator facing re-election this year have contributed to the party's campaign committee. Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., gave $2 million and Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., gave $1 million.

Kerry is not up for re-election this year.

http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2006/10/19/politics/p105415D74.DTL

[whistle]

1. Excellent question and part of that unused money came from me

[blm]

3. So you didn't read the rest of the article. This attack is BULLSHIT.

.

[whistle]

6. So, why is Kerry hording the unused money that was donated by loyal

...democrats for Kerry's 2004 campaign?

[Mass]

8. Why is Hillary keeping her money? I gave money to Kerry

and I certainly do not want him to give it to Schumer.

If Hillary wants to have her operatives do anonymous hitjobs, this is HER problem. Do not count on me to approve.

[blm]

9. He's not - and he's given more and raised more than anyone else.

Why are people putting up swiftvets sites to smear him with the PRETENSE that they are doing it for Democrats?

Why didn't the reporter ask Chairman Dean or Rahm Emanuel at the DCCC what the facts are?

[blm]

11. You think this website is a loyal Democrat or a swiftvet type?

Reminds me when the swifts put up wintersoldier in 2003 and that turned out to be GOP operatives.

Alot of DUers were fooled into thinking it was a lefty site. Many used it to attack Kerry during the primaries.

[blm]

2. You should have excerpted the TRUTH part.

"John Kerry has raised $3.5 million for Senate candidates alone, and he's delivered over $10 million for Democratic candidates and committees since November 2004," Wade said.

Kerry gave $1 million to the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee in 2004 and an additional $14,000 in 2006, his aides say. In January 2005, Kerry gave $1 million to the Democratic National Committee. He gave $500,000 to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee in March 2005.

Kerry, who is considering another White House run, has about $11 million on hand. Wade said it was misleading to say he's hanging onto money raised during the presidential campaign because he has raised $13 million and given away much of that money since 2004.
>>>>



Why didn't the reporter talk to the DNC and the DCCC about this if he was interested in getting the story?

Both have praised the work and the amount of money Kerry has put into Dem races.

Sounds like someone's trying to tear at the Dem party again.

[Mass]

4. A hit job of the worst type - Democrats should be ashamed.

First, how courageous to ask anonymously.

Second, it is ridiculous to claim that Feinstein and Clinton were courageous. They both raised a ton of money and do not have any serious opponent. Clinton still has 20 + millions (and I am generous, it is more like 40+)

Third, why single Kerry, who has been raising a lot of money for Democrats these two years.

Only one reason: a hit job by another 08 candidate. And all Democrats should be ashamed.

[NOTE: Kerry is welcome to give money to the DSCC, but I find the process abhorrent)!

[ProSense]

5. Kerry gives more than $11 million and Clinton gives $2 million, so

he needs to emulate her? Hit piece based on screwy logic!

[rox63]

7. This is worthless hit job

Kerry has been working his ass off for other Dems since the 2004 election. He has raised and donated millions of $$, and has been out campaigning for them all over the country:

http://www.johnkerry.com/themost/

“Give me five more John Kerry’s,” says Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chairman Rahm Emanuel (D-Ill.). “He’s a fighter, and he puts his money where his mouth is.” – Roll Call, 5.1.06

11 million dollars. Over 200 candidates in more than 40 states. That’s how much, together, the johnkerry.com community and John Kerry have given to or raised for Democratic candidates and committees since November 2004. John Kerry is aggressively fundraising for Democratic candidates in 2006 – making direct contributions to campaigns, attending and hosting events in the states, emailing his 3 million person list of supporters on behalf of candidates, and raising money for state parties, the DNC, DSCC and DCCC.

"He also won plaudits for working on behalf of House candidates. `The question is was somebody willing to stand up back in the dark days when I needed help, and he was,' said US Representative Rahm Emanuel, chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee." -- Boston Globe, Brian Mooney, 10/9/06

Kerry has personally traveled to 24 states to appear with candidates and rally support at the grassroots. Kerry has made over 85 trips across the country to support Democratic candidates this cycle.

Kerry gave $1 million to the Democratic National Committee and raised an additional $250,000 for the DNC online. Kerry also gave $1 million to the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee and $500,000 to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. Kerry contributed $50,000 to the Louisiana State Party and gave $250,000 to the Washington State Democratic Party which helped finance a recount when the Republican party challenged the win of Gov. Christine Gregoire in 2005.

With the help of the johnkerry.com community, together we have raised over 100K each for 11 candidates, including Cantwell, Bill Nelson, Byrd, Sherrod Brown, Ford, McCaskill, Klobuchar, Webb, Duckworth, Patrick Murphy and Joe Sestak.

"Kerry has a big electronic address book and he hasn't been shy about using it…it's also bringing in quite a bit of money for Democrats nationwide…he has given or raised nearly $10 million for Democratic candidates and committees since November 2004." - Washington Post, "Kerry Treasury Department," 7.2.06

Getting veteran candidates elected to key seats is a top priority for John Kerry in 2006. He has actively supported over a dozen veteran candidates, including Jim Webb, Tammy Duckworth, and Chris Carney.

"The Winners: John Kerry: Kerry not only endorsed Webb but appeared with him Monday for a last-minute campaign rally. Kerry also used his national e-mail list to raise cash and turn out the vote." - Washingtonpost.com, The Fix, "VA Senate Winners and Losers," 6.14.06

Additionally, in 2005-06, John Kerry contributed or raised over $175,200 on behalf of the Massachusetts Democratic party, He has used his email list to recruit over 500 volunteers to support the state’s efforts to elect Democrats in November. In the last two months before the election, he will attend 5 events in support of Deval Patrick, the Democratic nominee for Governor, and the Democratic ticket.

[saltpoint]

10. Kerry's generosity to the party and to other Democratic candidates

is well-documented and irrefutable.

Whoever wrote the above article should be dangled over a deep trench.

If the writer had to ignore documented facts to do the smear, the writer is the skunk.

[wisteria]

12. What an absolute shame this piece is.

I would question why another senator with a stock pile of money not necessary for the almost uncontested race she is in, is not giving even more than her fair share. She is blessed with an easy campaign and certainly doesn't need all that money she has right now. Why not give generously to those other Democrats that are struggling? Also,I don't recall to many fundraisers headlined by this senator to raise money for others. Perhaps a few senators, but what about congressional campaigns?

Actually, this is a shame. Senator Kerry has worked his rear off promoting, defending, donating and raising money for senate and congressional candidates. No one wants to see Dem's win this election season more than him. He does all this, and this is what he gets in return?

If we come out ahead this election it will be due to the continuing pre- election and election season efforts of Senator Kerry. He was out fighting before anyone else.

I will remember this little attack during primary season.