LA Times: Kerry Lobbied for Contractor Who Made Illegal Contributions

[Freddie Stubbs]

By Lisa Getter and Tony Perry, Times Staff Writers

WASHINGTON — Sen. John F. Kerry sent 28 letters in behalf of a San Diego defense contractor who pleaded guilty last week to illegally funneling campaign contributions to the Massachusetts senator and four other congressmen.

Members of Congress often write letters supporting constituent businesses and favored projects. But as the Democratic presidential front-runner, Kerry has promoted himself as a candidate who has never been beholden to campaign contributors and special interests.

Between 1996 and 1999, Kerry participated in a letter-writing campaign to free up federal funds for a guided missile system that defense contractor Parthasarathi "Bob" Majumder was trying to build for U.S. warplanes.

Majumder's firm, Science and Applied Technology Inc., was paid more than $150 million to design and develop the program in the 1990s. But the program ran into some stumbling blocks at the Pentagon.

more: http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/2004/la-na-kerry19feb19,1,745120.story?coll=la-home-headlines

[Deaner1971]

1. The article makes it clear

that John Kerry didn't know the contributions were illegal. Here is one quote:

U.S. Atty. Carol Lam, declining to be interviewed about the case or answer questions submitted in writing, issued a one-sentence response through a spokeswoman: "The investigation did not reveal any evidence that the elected officials were aware of Majumder's illegal activity."

Other than that, the fact that a politician lobbied on behalf of a constituent (quote: "One of the subcontractors working on the guided missile project, Millitech Inc., was based in Northampton, Mass.") and a contributor isn't really that news-worthy. Reporters just love a whiff of scandal.

[Rowsdower]

2. The guy has too much baggage

The best bet for democrats now is to get behind Edwards. Kerry is just another typical Washington insider. He's too weak, and has too many vulnerabilities. If democrats want to win in November, they will get behind Edwards.

[Snivi Yllom]

3. all is well

nothing to see here...move on

:(