Kerry Considers Rejecting Public Funds

[Khephra]

Kerry Considers Rejecting Public Funds
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Published: November 9, 2003


Filed at 1:48 p.m. ET

snip.........

``We're going to make our decision over the course of the next day or so,'' Kerry told CBS' ``Face the Nation.'' The Massachusetts senator railed against Dean's announcement on Saturday, saying that the former Vermont governor ``has taken a very different road than Democrats have stood for as a matter of principle.''

Chiding Dean, Kerry said, ``I don't think that President Bush's money was as intimidating as Governor Dean wants to believe it was, because it's mostly special-interest money.''

Only a few months ago, Kerry said, Dean was telling other candidates in the race that he would abide by spending limits for the party's primary season, and that it would be ``terrible'' if his fellow Democrats did not do the same.

``Now he's changed his position,'' Kerry said.

Throughout the campaign, Kerry said, he has been consistent, making clear that if Dean opted out, he would be prepared to do the same.

``Now, whether I will or not, I'll make that decision. But I'm prepared to.''

MORE...............

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/national/AP-Democrats-2004.html

[joeybee12]

1. I used to like Kerry, then I was ambivalent, then I disliked him, and now

LOATHE him!

God if he gets the nomination--highly unlikely--we'll see the biggest electoral win for Bush!

[dsc]

2. Say what?

Chiding Dean, Kerry said, ``I don't think that President Bush's money was as intimidating as Governor Dean wants to believe it was, because it's mostly special-interest money.''

That makes no sense at all. I don't care where the money comes from it will spend just as efficiently. $200 million is $200 million and will buy a ton of ads. Arguably it is more intimidating that the money comes from special interests since they presumedly have an awful lot more to give if the need arises.

[w13rd0]

3. I think he's trying to say it wasn't representative of widespread support.

...because it wasn't small donations from thousands of donors. Duh! It's still lots of money to be used to slander our nominee. Kerry is just whining because he fears being deprived of his entitlement to the nomination.

[dfong63]

6. Kerry was apparently so mad he couldn't even speak coherently

his statement didn't make sense. a $200 million warchest has to be intimidating no matter where it comes from. i would agree that dems take the high road by accepting the campaign finance limits. but it's not a principle that is worth losing the election over, when your opponent has 4x the amount of money you do. Dean made a tough decision, and i'm glad he did.

[Khephra]

11. I'm not sure I get his point either

:shrug:

[killbotfactory]

4. Kerry plays follow the leader. AGAIN.

Whine whine whine... mope mope mope...

[ima_sinnic]

5. drop out already John (n/t)

[tsipple]

7. A Serious Point Here for a Moment

I can (half) understand why Kerry is so pissed. He now finds himself in an awful pickle. Here's how it works.

Kerry has raised about $20 million total through the end of the 3rd quarter. Almost $9 million of that came from $2,000 "fat cat" contributions. Those contributions are only matched to the first $250 each, and all of those contributors are maxed out. (They can't give another dime.)

So what you've seen is a downward trend in Kerry's fundraising, quite understandably. There are only so many $2,000 contributors on the planet. I'm predicting about a $3 million 4th quarter for Kerry. That would put him at about $23 million total, and even if you assume a high side estimate of $10 million in matching funds, he's still $12 million below the $45 million spending cap.

So the Kerry campaign faces this dilemma: do you try to ride out your current budget and bust the caps, recognizing that it'll be difficult to even reach that overall cap anytime soon (but that you can overspend in New Hampshire), or do you grab that big fat check from the government to keep the lights on?

I don't know what he'll do. His hubris seems to know no bounds, so that would tend to suggest he opts out, but there's that big fat government check staring him in the face which has got to be tempting, even with its strings attached.

[wryter2000]

8. Whoever our nominee is...

He or she had better spend more than $45 million on the campaign, or we get four more years of hell.

[jeter]

9. Kerry might as well go away now

No way I will vote for him. Even if he is the nominee.

I was weary about him over his vote for war. Then his corporate donations. Now his never ending attacks.

Kerry is finished as far as i'm concerned.

[flpoljunkie]

12. Kerry has never taken PAC money, only money from individuals!

In all of his campaigns, including this one.

Corporations can't donate to candidates by the way. Why don't you get your facts straight. Jeter?

[Sean Reynolds]

19. Huh? Go to opensecrets.org it states Kerry has taken from PACs!

PAC contributions: $48,084

http://www.opensecrets.org/presidential/summary.asp?ID=N00000245

That is more THAN Howard Dean has in PAC money.

[ThorsteinVeblen]

10. Bwhahahahahahahaha!

OMG.

Lead, follow or get the hell out of the way Kerry. At this point since if he wants to lead or follow he should just get the hell out of the way. NOW!

[Khephra]

13. Kick

:kick:

Kerry deserves his time in the spotlight too.

[Upfront]

14. Hope He

Rejects public funding as it will save the tax payers some money. When he puts a little Hintz money in to the race it could help start a little trickle down to us common folks, which could help us give more money to Dean. Nothing but good to come of this. lol

[tsipple]

15. Probably Good for Dean...

...If Kerry rejects public financing. It means he's got less money to do battle with Dean. (Although Kerry will throw everything he's got into New Hampshire I guess.)

[Pavlovs DiOgie]

16. Once again...

...Kerry let's Dean lead, and in doing so is forced to have to follow. Dean does something, Kerry reacts. Over and over again that's been the story. Lately, the only way Kerry has gotten much press is by bringing up Dean's name. That's gotta start sucking after awhile.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

17. I thought he wouldn't unilaterally disarm?

Why does he have to make a decision? I thought he made it months ago.


Now, whether I will or not, I'll make that decision. But I'm prepared to.


:wtf:

[tsipple]

18. Trouble Is...

Kerry is pretty quickly broke if he skips the matching funds. And I'm going to put a frowny face for that. :-(