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.

[sweetliberty]

"But Democratic sources blamed the allegation on Republican "dirty tricks".

"General Wesley Clark....reporters: "Kerry will implode over an intern issue."

Hmmmm....typical RAT style....add 2 plus 2 and get 7.

"Last night Mr Kerry's campaign internet forum for activists was seething with accusations of Republican dirty tricks"

Oh, you mean dirty tricks like calling the president a liar? Oh wait....that was Kerry. Or like hawking himself as a war hero out of one side of his mouth and slobbering over Hanoi Jane out of the other. Oh....that was Kerry too. Oh, I know....like calling for regime change in America as we are going into a war. Oh...I guess that was Kerry too.

"the overwhelming desire of Democrats of all stripes to unite and find the candidate who is best able to beat President George W Bush."

Doesn't matter that they are worthless wastes of space that are antiamerican and would be destructive to the country....just as long as they win. All these people care about is power and they will seize it any way they can.

[sweetliberty]

"Who would have sex with horse face Kerry?"

The same kind of pea-brained, slack-jawed female that would don knee pads for Bubba.

[Ciexyz]

Why did the woman flee to Africa? Is she an African national?

[sweetliberty]

"So much dishonesty was swept under the rug with "It's just sex."

But the thing is, it's not. Leaders should be held to a higher standard. After all, if a man can't exercise good judgement over his own body, what are the chances that he will exercise good judgement over a nation? Slim to none!

[sweetliberty]

"This story has been in three UK newspapers and one Irish On-line site. Someday, it may be reported here in America."

Not much of a story until there are more details. All they're doing is parroting Drudge and leveling accusations at the "right." I'm still waiting for the other shoe to drop. If left to the discretion of the American press, it never will. This will be like the RAT memos....the story won't be the real dirt, but how the Republicans came by the dirt. Scumbags and scoundrels....every last one of them!

[franklog]

You're right to be slightly pessimistic, but there is a nuance thay may give you a little optimism. As I remember it, Clinton NOSEDIVED when the accusations about Monica came out. I distinctly remember Geraldo - of all people - saying if it was true Slickie would "have to resign." The Slick Rally happened when the impeachment started and Clinton was perceived as the underdog. We Americans love our underdogs.

I'm with Hannity - Republicans should stay far away from this and let the Intern Diddle Party sort it out themselves. He's only the front runner because of perceived "electability," and now that's gone.

The more pile on, the more pile on rebound. He'll tank on his own.

[Shery]

I said the same thing about Clinton. He's a creep, too. But POWER is a big thing...and money too. If you're given some perks on the side to participate and stay in the background, like getting set up in an apartment, fur coats, etc., a lot of women would take that over a husband, and facing him dumping them for a newer model. Not that I approve, but there are a LOT of women out there who are glad to be mistresses because of the perks. Not everyone wants a husband. Many just want to be taken care of.

Also, remember that Kerry was apparently having other affairs before he and his first wife divorced. Was it she who filed? Probably, and why would he want to if she 'keeps' him while he's fooling around?

But we should wait to see how this pans out. We don't want egg on our face. If it is true, then he should have to face the full fury of the supporters.

[MeekOneGOP]

Democratic moments of Honorable; collect the whole series

The worlds shortest book !

[anniegetyourgun]

Think the lamestream media will trace it to the Clintons? Ha.....