Update (2/17/05): Looks like Sen. Kerry heard my calling:
link.
Good first step, Senator, Thanks! Now, will we have paper trails in 2005 or 2006?
Tom
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Original post follows:
Here is the picture of Sen. Kerry's 2004 campaign finances, as per Center for Responsive Politics:
http://www.opensecrets.org/presidential/summary.asp?ID=N00000245
So, let's tally:
$22.7M : Cash-on-hand on 11/22/04
-2.1M : Debts on 11/22
-0.25M: Donation to WA state recount
-1.0M : Latest Pledge to DNC
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$19.35M : Balance
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Sen. Kerry, IMHO, most people that contributed to your campaign did so to help elect a democrat (and kick Bush out), and not because they were enamored by you (if they were, you wouldn't have needed to put up $6M of Teresa's dough to launch UBL-clad attack ads against Gov. Dean in Iowa). So, you really should return the remaining $19M also to the DNC, or atleast pledge not to use it for the 2008 presidential primaries, because that would be unfair to other democratic contenders in that cycle.
Please do not try to buy influence either with money that doesn't belong to you in the first place.
Dear Mr. Senator, by any account, you have certainly been given a full-fledged chance by the democrats and progressives at gaining the presidency ; the liberal/progressive front stood by you, rooted for you, donated time, money and ideas relentlessly. Therefore, it is gentlemanly of you not to run again, unless the party wants/needs you to do so. But of course, you have every right to run again, and trust me, no amount of money will help you win the ticket in 2008.
But there is one way you can earn the respect and the support of many of us: you can choose to stand up for a set of causes and work/fight for them day and night. I can suggest one cause that should be close to your heart: voting reform. Getting those un-democratic paperless voting machines either replaced or retrofitted with verifiable balloting systems, and enacting uniform nationwide election guidelines. A potentially good partner for you would be Rep. Wexler of FL, who actually went to court to fix them down there, as you know. Scores of Dean supporters and other progressives will join you if you would like to take charge on this front. You should get busy immediately, so as to get the system straightened out for the 2006 cycle.
There are many fronts on which one could/should wage this effort:
- Senate/House: democrats should craft legislation and push tirelessly in both the house and senate. If the Rabid Rowdies (who else would oppose a fair electoral system?) table it, try again, a week later.
- Take the issue to the people: hold rallies nationwide
- Launch court battles in every state
- Launch cases in the federal court system, so that eventually The Blessed Nine will again get to decide the fate of American Democracy, hopefully they will make the just choice this time.
- Launch legislation in every state house and senate
Basically, no accountability in the voting process means no true-democracy.
So, there you go, Senator, that is your ticket to endearing yourself to the emerging progressive-minded grassroots network. Are you ready to standup up and fight the good fight?