Kerry Shows Two Facets Of Fundraising (Some Unsavory Info)

[KittyWampus]

"Should he win the Democratic nomination, those and other appearances of cozy connections could make it difficult for Kerry to paint President Bush as the candidate of special interests."

Campaign financing: Kerry shows two facets of fundraising
Greg Gordon, Star Tribune Washington Bureau Correspondent

Published January 22, 2004

First in a series of stories examining the campaign finances of the presidential candidates.

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The subject of campaign finance has been a double-edged sword for Democratic Sen. John Kerry. He has criticized the system and supported reforms, but he also has faced questions about his ties to some of his donors. Kerry, the winner of the Democratic caucuses in Iowa, has accepted money from two figures who later were prosecuted for election violations. He also has received substantial donations from telecommunications, media and steel companies overseen by committees on which he sits.

snip
In 1985, his first year in the Senate, Kerry proposed the public financing of federal campaigns, a change that advocates said would limit the influence of well-financed special interests. In early 2002, he voted for a campaign overhaul that banned six-figure "soft money" donations to the parties. His presidential campaign spurns contributions from political action committees. But while raising $34 million for four Senate races and $23 million in donations through Dec. 31 for his presidential run, he has drawn scrutiny multiple times for his ties to corporate interests.

In 1998, Taiwanese-American businessman Johnny Chung pleaded guilty to using "straw donors" to funnel $8,000 to Kerry and $20,000 to President Bill Clinton's reelection campaign. Kerry denied knowledge of the scheme and returned the money. In 2002, a conspiracy indictment against a California military contractor included similar charges relating to $13,000 of more than $26,000 company executives gave Kerry in 1996 and 1998.

Kerry currently serves on the Senate Commerce, Finance and Small Business committees, all fertile turf for raising campaign cash. In its newly published book, "The Buying of the President 2004," the nonpartisan Center for Public Integrity says companies with a direct interest in Kerry's committee work "have pumped millions of dollars into his campaigns." (Telecom Industry)

snip
Goes on to talk about the Second Facet of Kerry's Fundraising: making big bucks from Minnesota couple who also funded Wellstone.

http://www.startribune.com/stories/587/4332464.html

[wryter2000]

1. Well

I have to say it's nice to see people going after someone other than Dean for a change.

Enjoy it, frontrunners.

[KittyWampus]

4. In its newly published book, "The Buying of the President 2004,"

In its newly published book, "The Buying of the President 2004," the nonpartisan Center for Public Integrity says companies with a direct interest in Kerry's committee work "have pumped millions of dollars into his campaigns."

[lurk_no_more]

16. I don't see it as an attack

I could be wrong but, it appears to be a heads up to a possible conflict to what Kerry could use against *, it really is small potatoes compared to *, but it does make the criticism a less than credible comparison.


And then there were none!
” JAFO”

[KittyWampus]

17. "First in a series of stories examining the campaign finances"

"First in a series of stories examining the campaign finances of the presidential candidates."

Noone likes to see how the sausage is made.

[blm]

24. I am PROUD of how ethical Kerry has been in his fundraising.

And if the statistics were given in their proper context, over an 18 year period, they could see ethical fundraising.

[Bush loves Jiang]

2. Bullshit...

Why would Clinton or Kerry take money from a self-identified Taiwanese?

They're Chicon-lovers like Dumbya.

[sangh0]

3. My theory is

the more they try to attack Kerry on issues where Kerry is jead and shoulders above Bush*, the more attention they will draw to how much better Kerry is.

Just imagine Bush* trying to attack Kerry for being beholden to special interests.

[KittyWampus]

5. Similarly, Kerry Is Weakened In Attacking Bush For Same

[blm]

8. Why? Bush takes that amount from 1 pioneer in 1 election cycle.

Kerry's came from his BROTHER'S coworkers over an EIGHTEEN YEAR period.

You don't see the difference in the two?

[sangh0]

9. I disagree

There is a widespread perception that Bush* is the one who is beholden to special interests. It is so common a perception that even many conservative Republicans agree. Kerry does have that baggage, therefore the charge is less likely to stick. Add to that Kerry's long-term refusal to take money from corporate PAC's, combined with his liberal record, and the battle between Bush* and Kerry on special interests ends with Kerry winning.

IOW, "C'mon Bush*. Bring them on!"

[KittyWampus]

10. #1. I Highlighted The Bit About Star Tribune Examining ALL Candidates

#2. Kerry has been highlighting other Candidate's "Money/Access" Issue in a rather harsh way.

#3. There most certainly IS a there there. Of course, it's largely the System... but same can be said of how other candidates have made money in the past. Difference is, Kerry is a Senator writing and voting on Legislation.

[GalleryGod]

12. For "Crying out loud". That's Upside-Down Logic

Sorry.Booby, C- in 101B

Your Man in the Faculty lounge:donut: ,Talkin' Trackin' Polls!
G.G.:smoke:

[blm]

6. Kerry's totals are over EIGHTEEN YEARS.

And further that is his BROTHER'S firm and his coworkers donated that money. If this is the worst they have on Kerry then Kerry has been proved most ethical.

Would they like the reader to believe that Kerry's brother and his coworkers would NOT have donated that money over 18 years if Kerry didn't support legislation in 1996 that favored one of their clients?

Apply some LOGIC.

This article is short on details for a reason...the FACTS prove Kerry is solid.

[sandnsea]

7. Ooooh, this is scary stuff

:scared:

Roll out the Bushies. Compare and contrast.

Dean has gotten almost this amount of money from corporations this Presidential election ALONE, not over his lifetime.

Kerry's been torn from limb to limb and put under a microscope his entire life. There's just no there there.

Edited for clarification. Just like Dean. :-)

[GalleryGod]

14. " I WELCOME that Fight !"

J.F. Kerry- 1/22/04:evilgrin:

[WiseMen]

11. Wellstone Fundraisers, big fundraisers for Kerry. Must be Corruption Here

Amazing effort to touch the guy who has gained the hatred of
special interest lobbyist for the last 20 years by totaly ignoring
them -- Oh, he is aloof, distant, too rich. Whoa!!!

[KittyWampus]

13. That Is The Innocous Second Facet. Let's Not Ignore The FIRST

which may be Legal and how the "Game" is played... but can definately be percieved as Unethical.

[GalleryGod]

15. That's Innocuous,Right? And the "GAME" is all we've got in

Real World Real Time 24/7 Politics.

RECON! Saddle-up:mad: 2-By-2 standard formation,Troop!

Lock & Load!


Vets voting for Vets in '04:grouphug:

[blm]

18. And PROVEN to be VERY ETHICAL.

Unless your purpose is to make others perceive unethical behavior where there is none.

But, it won't work.

[KittyWampus]

19. Well, Kerry & Edwards Are Certainly Tag Teaming On Clark

the key is "perception".

[blm]

21. They aren't doing anything egregious. None of the 3 are.

I think they have a better understanding of their goals and the Dem party goals and are keeping it pretty darn civil.

There are going to be SOME prods. That's the way it is. Clark camp does it with their "Washington insider" jabs, well, Kerry uses his time in Washington to compare what he has been able to do as a lawmaker.

It's natural. Don't let it get to you.

[dfitzsim]

20. Sorry. This story has no legs.

The right can't beat up on Kerry for this issue. a) the Chung amounts are small so it is highly probable that he knew nothing about it. b) Its how you vote on these issues that show integrity (did you take the money but not let it affect your vote?). I think in Kerry's case you can say he's more about voting his conscience and for his constituents, than corporate interest.

The right wing media will try to raise it as an issue, but it's such a non-starter as to be laughable.

The Repukes have a long voting record to distort on Kerry. That's where they'll attack him. Not on this.

[sangh0]

22. Yep

Pushing "Kerry is beholden to corporate interests" will undercut their planned "Kerry is a Taxachussetts liberal"

[Old and In the Way]

23. Sorry, no sale.

Thanks for playing...please try again.