Kerry's Cash May Buy '08 Loyalty

By Nicole Duran
Roll Call
May 1, 2006

Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) is doing his best to turn lemons into lemonade. He lost his bid to become president in 2004, but that campaign left him with an invaluable commodity: an e-mail list 3 million strong that he can call upon to rally support for causes and candidates -- or another presidential run.

These days Kerry has been putting it to work on behalf of Democratic candidates, party committees and affiliated groups, making him the biggest donor among potential 2008 presidential candidates this cycle.

Since losing to President Bush, Kerry's political action committee, Keeping America's Promise, has given about $1.2 million to candidates, far more than the leadership PACs of Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.), former Senator and Kerry's 2004 vice presidential running mate John Edwards (D-N.C.), Sen. Evan Bayh (D-Ind.), or any of the other potential White House hopefuls.

Using his federal campaign account, his old presidential primary account and his e-mail list, Kerry has donated, raised or helped Democrats collect more than $7.5 million since November 2004. "Give me five more John Kerry's," says Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chairman Rahm Emanuel (D-Ill.). "He's a fighter, and he puts his money where his mouth is."

Kerry's efforts through March 31 have benefited 110 local, state and federal candidates and 31 party committees, according to information provided by his political aides. Of those, 40 are House incumbents, 11 are incumbent Senators, 26 are House challengers, and six are Senate hopefuls.

He has traveled to 24 states, and insists that he does at least one event for a Democratic candidate or party while on the road, according to his political aides. "He set out immediately after the 2004 election to help Democrats win in the 2005 and 2006 elections and beyond and to build grassroots support for Democratic candidates," said John Geisser, executive director of Keeping America's Promise.

He cut $1 million checks to the Democratic National Committee and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee from funds left over from his presidential primary account shortly after losing the presidency. He gave the DCCC $500,000.

Kerry considers a number of factors. Veterans, especially of the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts, are a high priority for him, Geisser said. So far, the decorated Vietnam War veteran has helped nine vets launch challenges to GOP incumbents this cycle. Geisser said Kerry has also "sought to help Democratic challengers and incumbents who are in key competitive races that have the potential to determine the outcome of the national elections in November." Kerry's involvement can help land a previously low-profile House candidate on the national stage. A Kerry e-mail "has the ability to transform an election," said Jenny Backus, a Kerry consultant. "Not everyone knows who Rahm and [Senate Minority Leader Harry] Reid are; they all know who John Kerry is."

National Guard veteran Tim Walz, who is hoping to knock off Rep. Gil Gutknecht (R) in Minnesota's 1st district, which favored Bush over Kerry 51 percent to 47 percent, would have no qualms about making a public appearance with Kerry, according to his campaign. "He's very popular here," said Walz's campaign manager, Kerry Greeley. "We're talking about bringing him to the district; we certainly would like to have him come." JohnKerry.com channeled $25,000 to Walz's upstart campaign.

Kerry has assisted Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) in his tough re-election fight. Nelson's campaign manager, Chad Clanton, said Nelson would be proud to share a stage with Kerry -- even though Kerry lost the Sunshine State to Bush by about 380,000 votes. "Sen. Nelson and Sen. Kerry are colleagues and good friends, Clanton said. "We're gratified for his help."