IMO, Kerry's problem isn't the alleged other woman, it's Teresa.

[dkf]

I feel incredibly bad for Teresa. She is the one who is going to go through the ringer. And it sounds like its only starting because there are at least 2 women from what I can tell based on rumor-and yes this is all rumor.

1st one is the 20-something-year-old AP reporter which started in 2001 and lasted for 2 years until Kerry decided to run.

2nd one is whoever Gore knew about that prevented him from picking Kerry as VP in 2000. That one could be an intern. THis is the one that Craig Crawford picked up on.

From what is being said, it sounds like there could be a few others in addition to these 2.

Teresa is simply not Hillary-standbyyourman-Clinton. She is on record as saying she did not want either of her husbands to run for President so it is not power that she personally wants. In fact, she is already a very powerful woman and has said she would maim any husband that was unfaithful to her.

So that is the question...how is Teresa going to react.

[JI7]

1. "she would maim any husband that was unfaithful to her."

when did she say this ?

and doesn't this show that the rumors are most likely false ? since she is still with him. and the recent drudge story has too many flaws in it.

[tobius]

3. proof enough for me n/t

[dkf]

4. One of many quotes

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/main.jhtml?xml=/opinion/2004/01/31/do3102.xml&sSheet=/portal/2004/01/31/ixportal.html

"Likewise, I am in no danger of mistaking Theresa Heinz for a chattel, but I am deeply grateful for her enlivening presence at her husband's stump speeches. Swishing around in her pashminas, Ms Heinz injects a certain urbane chic into the grim proceedings at New Hampshire fire houses and diners. Her irreverent opinions, uttered in a slightly jaded, Portuguese drawl, compensate for the unrelenting woodenness of her husband. She talks openly about getting Botox injections. She says she would "maim" her husband if he was unfaithful and adds jokingly that she "might be into 18-year-olds". (Shades, here, of Tipper Gore – who could never be dissuaded from banging on, in a slightly dotty fashion, about how sexy Al was.) Heinz is bad news for Kerry's political consultants, but excellent news for the viewing public."

[JI7]

5. about al gore

his not picking kerry didn't have to do with one specific affair. it was about the overall image including what kerry did while he was SINGLE. they wanted distance themselves from clinton and to run on morals which is why lieberman was chosen. kerry's life as a single man would not have helped in this attempt. it was a stupid strategy to run on that morals thing in my opinion though.

[dfong63]

16. how do we know she didn't?

has Kerry released his medical records to the public?

[hlthe2b]

2. Well, all I can say is that there are no proven "rumors" and I am willing

to wait and see. As for Theresa, I thought your post was going to be a very negative assessment of her, just as we all got to see ad nauseum during the Clinton era (with respect to Hillary). I'm relieved to see it was not.

[dkf]

6. According to Craig Crawford who is considered reliable

Kerry's people have been prepared for this and have assured backers that they can handle it.

I've been looking for the direct quote of what Crawford wrote but I can't find it. I'm pretty sure this is the gist of what was said though.

OK found it but don't know where it is from:

FROM CONGRESSIONAL QUARTERLY'S CRAIG CRAWFORD: 'Drudge item on Kerry intern issue is something Chris Lehane (clark press secy) has shopped around for a long time -- it was one reason the Gore vetters in 2000 shied away from Kerry as a running mate choice -- their conclusion that it wasn't bad enough to disqualify him, except for the fact that they couldn't risk it as they were trying so hard to distance themselves from Clinton's personal failings (note: Lehane worked for Gore at the time -- and briefly advised Kerry during this campaign). The Kerry camp has long expected to deal with this, and have assured party leaders they can handle it'...

[dkf]

7. Nah, I like Teresa. Better than Kerry in fact.

She cracks me up.

[REP]

8. Oh Fer Crying Out Loud

Kerry's not my first or second choice, but even if any of this is true, who gives a rat's ass?!? If it's true, Theresa Heinz Kerry has my sympathy and I'll still vote for her husband if he's the candidate.

And for what it's worth, Sen Clinton and Ms Kerry deserve metals for not shooting their husbands (if the latest rumor is true) for being so fucking stupid, let alone humilating them in public in that way. So, if the rumors are true and she doesn't kill him, it's none of my fucking business how she reacts.

[corporatewhore]

9. felt bad for chelsea somekidsatplayground heard some details of myparents

and it was soo humiliating does kerry have kids ? are they grown?

[JI7]

11. yes

2 daughters and 3 stepsons. all grown up though.

[w13rd0]

14. The people that don't give a rat's ass...

...are also the same kind of people who would rather the world not care so damn much about who they choose to spend their life with.

[Atlant]

18. You will. Millions of those "swing voters" won't.

> If it's true, Theresa Heinz Kerry has my sympathy and I'll still
> vote for her husband if he's the candidate.

You will. I accept that.

But millions of those "swing voters" won't. They won't for two reasons:

1. Some won't vote for a known philanderer, period.
   
   
2. Many won't vote for a Democrat who already has his dingle in the
   Republican's wringer right on election day. They saw exactly how
   powerful the Republicans can be at emasculating a Presidency tainted
   by a sex scandal, and they won't want to repeat that experience
   "during a time of war".

Sorry, but after the Clinton experience, this is the death of the
Kerry candidacy.

Atlant

[Shanty Oilish]

10. She looks unhappy at rallies

When not downright mortified. Maybe this is what she sees in her mind's eye.
No matter how rich you are, there's always some situation you can't buy your way out of. She didn't want to be a fox in this blood sport. Suddenly there's things one can't say, smiles one doesn't feel, privacy one can't have.

[JI7]

13. actually

she is tired much of the times during those events since they come after a long day of hard work. she holds campaign events of her own to talk about issues and give speeches. she also sticks around for a long time talking to people personally about almost any issue even things that aren't really important. she is amazing at it. she is probably a person more into that than standing out in front of large crowds like at those rallies.

[dkf]

12. Check out these books his 1st wife wrote:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0060969776/qid=1076666194/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/103-3539616-3831061?v=glance&s=books

You Are Not Alone : Words of Experience & Hope for the Journey Through Depression
by Julia Thorne (Author)

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0060951052/qid=1076666407/sr=1-4/ref=sr_1_4/103-3539616-3831061?v=glance&s=books

A Change of Heart: Words of Experience and Hope for the Journey Through Divorce
by Julia Thorne,

[Adjoran]

15. I think it's "Teresa"

She is a remarkable person. If all rich people had her outlook, we'd be much better off.

I feel terrible for her. Doesn't matter whether it's true or not, it has to hurt to hear it.

Either way, she doesn't deserve this.

[dkf]

17. Thanks for the correction in spelling.

Like I said...I think she's great myself.

[molly]

19. Teresa is one tough lady

she kept her first husband on a short leash and I'm sure she knows exactly where John is at all times.

[Gin]

20. If true..how could he be so stupid after what we experienced with Clinton?

I feel sorry for the families when these things happen. I hope the story is not true...for Kerry and his wife....and for the presidential race...there are so many serious issues to be debated...but this will be front and center.

[CWebster]

21. looks like she is doing a good Hillary rendition to me

All the way down to the do and the black pantsuit.