by kos
Wed Nov 17th, 2004 at 15:43:54 PST
You thought I was gone, but one last hit before I board the plane. I really do want to let go and start my vacation, but
this story demanded comment.
Democratic Party leaders said Wednesday they want to know why Sen. John Kerry ended his presidential campaign with more than $15 million in the bank, money that could have helped Democratic candidates across the country.
Some said he will be pressured to give the money to Democratic campaign committees rather than save it for a potential White House bid in 2008.
"Democrats are questioning why he sat on so much money that could have helped him defeat George Bush or helped down-ballot races, many of which could have gone our way with a few more million dollars," said Donna Brazile, campaign manager for Al Gore's 2000 presidential race.
Brazile is a member of the 400-plus member Democratic National Committee, which meets early next year to pick a new party chairman. One high-ranking member of the DNC, speaking on condition of anonymity, said word of Kerry's nest egg has stirred anger on the committee and could hurt his chances of putting an ally in the chairmanship.
That "ally" is likely Tom Vilsack, who Kerry is depending on to grease the skids for his likely 2008 run.
$15 million may have netted us a couple Senate seats, more than a few House seats. For example, $1 million would've allowed the cash-strapped Mongiardo campaign to compete against Sen. Bunning's air attack the last two weeks of the Kentucky Senate contest.
Instead, Kerry hoarded the cash for his 2008 run.
I am a reform Democrat.
Posted at 08:48 pm by blog swarm
