Kerry Faces Big Test In Internet Storm About Mystery Woman (UK)

The Telegraph (UK) ^ | 2-13-2004 | Alec Russell/David Rennie

[blam]

Kerry faces big test in internet storm about mystery woman

By Alec Russell and David Rennie in Washington
(Filed: 13/02/2004)

The campaign of Senator John Kerry, the frontrunner for the Democratic nomination, faced its first media storm last night after a Right-wing website alleged that he had asked a woman to leave the country for personal reasons.

Mr Kerry's campaign did not respond to the allegation on the Drudge Report, a news tipster, most famous for disclosing that Bill Clinton had an affair with Monica Lewinsky, a White House intern. When contacted, the Kerry campaign had no immediate comment.

Waiting in the wings: Democratic hopeful, John Kerry

But Democratic sources blamed the allegation on Republican "dirty tricks". They said it marked the long-expected start of a campaign from the Right to smear the frontrunner and damage his chances of fighting a strong campaign against President George W Bush.

The report caused anguish among grassroots party activists just a day after it seemed that Mr Kerry, a decorated Vietnam war veteran, had been virtually crowned as the nominee after a remarkably swift and benign campaign.

The report also alleged that General Wesley Clark, who bowed out of the race on Wednesday, told reporters: "Kerry will implode over an intern issue."

Bill Buck, the national press secretary for the Clark campaign, said: "We do not respond to Right-wing internet postings in any way, shape or form."

Two hours after the report first appeared on the internet, Gen Clark's campaign rushed to his aid, indicating that the retired general would endorse Mr Kerry today.

Drudge claimed that several prominent news organisations in Washington have been investigating the rumours. But some of those named denied this.

The Drudge Report said the allegation explained why Howard Dean, the former frontrunner, was now vowing to fight on, having earlier pledged to bow out if he lost the next big contest on Tuesday.

Diehard Dean supporters exulted on internet forums at the news that the man who usurped their hero's position as favourite was at the centre of his own media storm.

Deaniacs remain bitter at what they perceive as the media's destruction of their candidate, who only a month ago led the polls. Last night Mr Kerry's campaign internet forum for activists was seething with accusations of Republican dirty tricks.

Mr Kerry took the lead in the race for the nomination three weeks ago when he won the first contest, the Iowa caucuses, since when he has won 11 out of the following 13 contests.

Following his victories in the south on Tuesday, in contests in Virginia and Tennessee, he was deemed to have proved his national credentials and to have all but eliminated his remaining rivals' hopes.

But he has always acknowledged that he will have to wait until March 2, when many of the big states vote, to secure a majority of the delegates who are allocated by each victory, to ensure he is chosen as the nominee at the party's convention in July.

The allegation on the Drudge Report provided the first test of the Kerry campaign under fire. While he has rampaged from victory to victory, it has been widely acknowledged that Mr Kerry has been spared the scrutiny normally devoted to frontrunners.

He has benefited from this year's accelerated timetable of the primaries and the overwhelming desire of Democrats of all stripes to unite and find the candidate who is best able to beat President George W Bush.

Mr Kerry was in Washington yesterday for strategy meetings and was expected to fly to Wisconsin today ahead of Tuesday's primary.

[uncbob]

Now I do not believe this story about the concubine fleeing to Africa, no, I do not. Who would have sex with horse face Kerry? I think he is innocent on that basis alone.

Ah but Henry Kissinger said Power is the ULTIMATE APHRODAISIAC anmd Ol Henry weren't no movie star himself

[uvular]

Hope you're right, but what kinda amount of courage would this friend have to have, seeing what happened to Linda Tripp?

If all is true, Ta-raa-sa will be the most admired woman in the world-after Hillary-for staying with John and 'maiming' him slowly with her newfound power.

Young stupid women pose nude to become 'great actresses'. Older stupid rich women don't seem to achieve whatever greatness they want, until they are shamed publicly by the dalliances of their husbands.

[Jank]

That was a really scary thought.

[joonbug]

Right wingers? Yeah right.

This has the Clintons' fingerprints all over it.

[Saundra Duffy]

I'm sorry but I think this is funny.

[VeniVidiVici]

Does anyone have a pic of Kerry's supposed paramour, the Harvard matriculated statuesque blonde ...

Hmm. Mr Ed is blonde, isn't he?

[Beck_isright]

FYI, DU locked their thread. They want this issue to go away asap. It's going to be hard to duck if Dean says something on Sunday night like "we don't need a repeat of the scandals of the 90's in the White House again" or words to that effect...

[blam]

"I'm sorry but I think this is funny."

That's good, I didn't write it. LOL

[Beck_isright]

Finally, on the Jim Bohannon show it's being discussed. That takes it out of the VRWC realm and into the "main stream." More and more people are saying this story has legs and this show tonight shall keep the heat up. Terrell is right, this story is believable.

[gonzo]

"...FYI, DU locked their thread. They want this issue to go away asap. It's going to be hard to duck if Dean says something on Sunday night like "we don't need a repeat of the scandals of the 90's in the White House again" or words to that effect..."

Ya figured it out, Beck. This DID come from the klintoons...........FRegards

[Katya]

He scheduled to call into Imus tomorrow morning...will he be a no show?

[Beck_isright]

I assumed that at 12:10 a.m. when Rush suggested it. And I buy it. This has Hitlery written all over it. Besides, without White House interns, how will Bill survive?

[Beck_isright]

He bails tommorrow. There's no way his people can gamble on this appearance. If they do, they are fools. Bernard would have too much fun with this one!

[byronhawthorne]

LOL....did anyone notice, at the risk of seeming to poke fun at another's dermatological shortcomings that Kerry faintly resembles Dick Tracy's nemesis -- Pruneface?

Byron

http://www.autograph-gallery.co.uk/acatalog/A29.JPG

[cyncooper]

I think you're the one assuming. I merely asked a question. You, on the other hand...

[Cicero]

Drudge is not a right-winger. He made his mark with the Monica story, but he obviously has no love for the Republicans, and has reveled in every dirty story about George Bush.

What the mainstream media resents about Drudge is that he's his own man. He has no editors to spike his stories or clean them up. He has no gatekeeper. He publishes whatever he wants. When the press agrees to keep something quiet, he breaks the embargo. I think they're jealous.

[Happy2BMe]

Waiting in the wings: Democratic hopeful, John Kerry

Ping on Post #44!

[doug from upland]

Bill Buck, the national press secretary for the Clark campaign, said: "We do not respond to Right-wing internet postings in any way, shape or form."
================================================

Ummmmm, I think that is a response, Bill.

[lilylangtree]

The source of the story was said to be Clark’s press chief Chris Lehane, who worked for Kerry before switching sides. Another Kerry rival, Howard Dean, has reversed his decision to quit the race because of the scandal.

And the beat goes on and on!

[blam]

"The source of the story was said to be Clark’s press chief Chris Lehane, who worked for Kerry before switching sides. "

The Dems are already blaming it on the Republicans.