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XXXXX DRUDGE REPORT XXXXX THU FEB 12, 2004 11:45:28 ET XXXXX

CAMPAIGN DRAMA ROCKS DEMOCRATS: KERRY FIGHTS OFF MEDIA PROBE OF RECENT ALLEGED INFIDELITY, RIVALS PREDICT RUIN

**World Exclusive**
**Must Credit the DRUDGE REPORT**

A frantic behind-the-scenes drama is unfolding around Sen. John Kerry and his quest to lockup the Democratic nomination for president, the DRUDGE REPORT can reveal.

Intrigue surrounds a woman who recently fled the country, reportedly at the prodding of Kerry, the DRUDGE REPORT has learned.

A serious investigation of the woman and the nature of her relationship with Sen. John Kerry has been underway at TIME magazine, ABC NEWS, the WASHINGTON POST, THE HILL and the ASSOCIATED PRESS, where the woman in question once worked.

MORE

A close friend of the woman first approached a reporter late last year claiming fantastic stories -- stories that now threaten to turn the race for the presidency on its head!

In an off-the-record conversation with a dozen reporters earlier this week, General Wesley Clark plainly stated: "Kerry will implode over an intern issue." [Three reporters in attendance confirm Clark made the startling comments.]

The Kerry commotion is why Howard Dean has turned increasingly aggressive against Kerry in recent days, and is the key reason why Dean reversed his decision to drop out of the race after Wisconsin, top campaign sources tell the DRUDGE REPORT.

Aw c***! Do we have to go through this again! I swear I am going to unplug the TV.

I suspect a vast left-wing conspiracy. I think the Clintons were worried Kerry could actually win, which could de-rail Sir Hilary's plans by 8 years. Their boy Clark is the one who 'off-the-record' sprung the leak first.

so how come not a word of this has been in the major news outlets -- cbs, abc, anything at all?

you'd think that if they all had their reporters there, we'd have seen something on the nightly news or at least a jot in AP...

2004 WorldNetDaily.com

Sen. John Kerry plans to respond to allegations of infidelity published yesterday by the Drudge Report, according to the Internet newssite.

Drudge reported several major news outlets are engaged in a serious investigation of Kerry's relationship with a former Associated Press reporter.

The AP, Time magazine, ABC News and the Washington Post have been working on a story about a woman who began a two-year relationship with the Massachusetts senator in the spring of 2001, Drudge said.

The woman reportedly was approached by a top news reporter, prompting Kerry to urge her to leave the country. Drudge reported last night the woman fled to Africa, where she remains.

Late last year, the relationship was revealed to a reporter by a close friend of the woman "claiming fantastic stories," said Drudge, "that now threaten to turn the race for the presidency on its head."

On Feb. 6, a weblog of "2004 U.S. election news and opinion," called "WatchBlog," ran an item indicating awareness of the media probe.

"Rumor has it that John Kerry (D) is going to be outed by Time Magazine next week for having an affair with a 20 year old woman who remains unknown," the entry said. "The affair supposedly took place intermittently right up to Kerry's Fall 2002 announcement of candidacy."

Earlier this week, according to Drudge, Gen. Wesley Clark told a dozen reporters in an off-the-record conversation, "Kerry will implode over an intern issue … ."

Just two hours after the report was posted, Clark aides said the candidate, who dropped out Wednesday, would endorse Kerry.

According to Drudge, former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean sees the "Kerry commotion" as a chance to revive his dying campaign. The allegation is why Dean "has turned increasingly aggressive against Kerry in recent days, and is the key reason why Dean reversed his decision not to drop out of the race after Wisconsin," top campaign sources told Drudge.

After Dean built a seemingly insurmountable lead in polls, Kerry became the front-runner for the party's nomination three weeks ago by winning the Iowa caucuses and 11 of 13 contests since then.

He is scheduled to appear on the popular radio show "Imus in the Morning" tomorrow before joining Clark at a campaign event in Wisconsin.

Drudge said "reporters who witnessed Clark making the stunning comments marvel at the general's reluctance to later confirm they were spoken – only to later endorse Kerry for the nomination."

Clark's press secretary Bill Buck refused to comment on the allegations.

"We do not respond to right-wing Internet postings in any way, shape or form," he said.

The mainstream media in the U.S. apparently have ignored the report, but it has been picked up by at least two British papers, the Scotsman and the Daily Telegraph of London.

The news-industry magazine Editor & Publisher contacted the Associated Press to see if the wire service would report the story.

"We simply don't comment on stories we are pursuing or not pursuing," AP spokesman Jack Stokes said.

Hard to prove

Drudge said unlike the Monica Lewinsky drama with President Clinton, which he first revealed, Kerry's situation has posed a challenge to reporters investigating the claims.

"There is no lawsuit testimony this time [like Clinton with Paula Jones]," a top source told Drudge tonight. "It is hard to prove."

The Kerry allegation grabbed the attention of talk radio shows across the nation today, where there was considerable speculation that associates of former President Clinton and Sen. Hillary Clinton could be behind the leak of the story.

In an article about Kerry rival John Edwards, AP cites recent encouragement the North Carolina senator has received from Bill Clinton.

Clinton told USA Today, "A lot of times things happen late in the race" which may or may not make a difference. "Look at the elections of the last 30 years. And ask yourself, is this election the same or different?"

Commenting on the Drudge story, Craig Crawford of the Congressional Quarterly said the allegation is something Wesley Clark campaign secretary and former Al Gore adviser Chris Lahane "has shopped around for a long time.

"It was one reason the Gore vetters in 2000 shied away from Kerry as a running mate choice," Crawford said in an e-mail to colleagues.

Gore's staffers concluded the news wasn't bad enough to disqualify the Massachusetts senator, he continued, "except for the fact that they couldn't risk it as they were trying so hard to distance themselves from Clinton's personal failings."

Crawford notes that in addition to working for Gore, Lehane briefly advised Kerry during the current campaign.

"The Kerry camp has long expected to deal with this, and have assured party leaders they can handle it," Crawford said.

Lehane strenuously denies the charge, according to Crawford.

A week ago, the Boston Herald's Inside Track column discussed a National Enquirer investigation on Kerry which claimed the senator is "an admitted pot smoker who had an eye for Hollywood honeys, namely Morgan Fairchild, Michelle Phillips and Catherine Oxenberg. In fact, Morgan and Michelle were so turned off by him, they both contributed to the other candidates seeking the nomination," the Herald stated.

According to the column, the Enquirer story also mentioned a "22-year-old blonde who was spotted around midnight 'dropping off her resume' at Kerry's Louisburg Square home while wife Teresa Heinz was in Nantucket."

In an interview last year with Elle magazine, Kerry's wife gave an indication of how she might respond to any indiscretions by her husband.

Referring to the effect of President Clinton's affairs on Hillary, Heinz Kerry said, "I don't think I could have coped so well. I would've been like psheww!," she said, making a gunshot noise.

"I used to say to my husband, my late husband, 'If you ever get something, I'll maim you. Not kill you, just maim you.' And we'd laugh, laugh, laugh."

Meanwhile, the London Telegraph said diehard Dean supporters exulted at the news on Internet forums, where there has been considerable bitterness about what they perceive as the media's destruction of their candidate.

The Kerry campaign Internet forum, in contrast, was seething with anger over "Republican dirty tricks."

On a popular conservative forum, Lucianne.com, one post reads: "Watch out boys, those hoof prints you are hearing is Hillary running in for the rescue of her party!"

The Sun - British version of the Enquirer...so take it with a grain of salt...

The other article details the other news organizations that have a story in the chamber waiting to fire it. The oddity to the whole thing is Clark knowing about and uttering about the "intern". A lot has been mentioned about him being a Clinton plant to "water" down the Dems and keep McAuliffe in, but if the dots can be connected to them with this story...WATCH OUT!

Can't pin this one on the Republicans! Left-wing conspiracy. Don't go near Ft. Marcy park JFK Lite!

here's a reputable source:

http://www.cigarbid.com/...lay=0000000019649#190954

XXXXX DRUDGE REPORT XXXXX FRI FEB 13, 2004 10:38:05 ET XXXXX

KERRY ON IMUS: 'THERE'S NOTHING TO REPORT, NOTHING TO TALK ABOUT . . . NO'

Democratic presidential frontrunner John Kerry told IMUS IN THE MORNING "there is nothing to report" after a DRUDGE REPORT exclusive revealed the frantic behind-the-scenes drama surrounding a woman who recently fled the country, reportedly at the prodding of Kerry!

The nature and details of a claimed two-year relationship, beginning in the Spring of 2001, between a young woman and Kerry is at the center of serious investigations at several media outlets.

After being approached by a top news producer, the woman fled to Africa, where she remains.

"Well, there is nothing to report," Kerry told IMUS. "So there is nothing to talk about. I'm not worried about it. No."

In expanded comments later in the broadcast, Don Imus told his on-air crew that "Kerry is dead" if "something comes out."

MORE

Unlike the Monica Lewinsky drama, which first played out publicly in this space, with audio tapes, cigar and a dress, the Kerry situation has posed a challenge to reporters investigating the claims.

"There is no lawsuit testimony this time [like Clinton with Paula Jones]," a top source said Thursday night. "It is hard to prove."

A close friend of the woman first approached a reporter late last year claiming fantastic stories -- stories that now threaten to turn the race for the presidency on its head.

Later on Friday, Kerry is scheduled to join General Wesley Clark, who, in an off-the-record conversation with a dozen reporters earlier this week, plainly stated: "Kerry will implode over an intern issue."

Reporters who witnessed Clark making the stunning comments marvel at the General's reluctance to later confirm they were spoken -- only to later endorse Kerry for the nomination!

Elsewhere, media response to the allegations varied widely.

The FRONTRUNNER details the coverage.

The television networks were quiet, although ABC News radio (2/12) mentioned the story yesterday afternoon. Meanwhile, local TV across the US reported the allegation extensively. For example, KTBS-TV Shreveport, LA (2/12, 10:00 p.m.) reported, "A bomb-shell was dropped on Senator Kerry today."

KABC-TV Los Angeles, CA (2/12, 6:00 p.m.) reported, "There's a report on the Internet from Internet gossip columnist Matt Drudge that John Kerry, the front runner, has had a problem with an intern in the past, perhaps an affair."

KDAF-TV Dallas, TX (2/12, 9:28 p.m.) referred to the story as a "bombshell rumor."

WBAL-TV Baltimore, MD (2/12, 11:11 p.m.) reported, "The Kerry camp is preparing a response."

WBTV-TV Charlotte, NC (2/12, 6:00 p.m.) reported, "Scandalous rumblings tonight inside John Kerry's campaign."

WSYX-TV Columbus, OH (2/12, 5:05 p.m.) reported, "Matt Drudge broke this bombshell on his website."

WTTE-TV Columbus, OH (2/12, 10:11 p.m.) reported, "The Democratic frontrunner -- some say he had an affair with an intern."

KRQE-TV Albuquerque, NM (2/12, 10:00 p.m.) reported, "Is John Kerry about to be caught up in a scandal?"

Various UK press outlets splashed the report on Friday.

The UK TIMES placed it on its front page -- in the lead position.

The UK SUN claims to have found the name of the woman in question, even interviewing her parents.

Developing...

Oh boy! Would love to see Kerry sidestep some of these reports..........true or false, I do not know but maybe this will take the press off of the Air Guard records of GWB for a while! LOL

Charlie

Facts are that Democrats are like Rats, they can survive anything. Teddy Kennedy, The Clintons, Condit, Franks, etc, the list is long and "distinguished" and will continue to grow as more and more Democrats get away with the same things they sling mud at GOP candidates about!

Charlie

I admire Mr. Stein's tenacity!


An Open Letter to Sen. John Kerry
Jonathan M. Stein
Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2004
Dear Senator Kerry,
Thus far, your presidential campaign has been focused solely on attacking President Bush and touting you Vietnam War record from over 30 years ago. Though you have stated reasons why voters should not re-elect President Bush, you have not given the American people ample reason to vote for you. Further, there are many inconsistencies and unanswered allegations in your own record. Herein is an opportunity for you to respond.

You have inserted Vietnam into the campaign as a central issue. However, in the 1992 presidential election, when Bill Clinton was accused of dodging the Vietnam draft, you said, “I am saddened by the fact that Vietnam has yet again been inserted into the campaign. ... The race for the White House should be about leadership, and leadership requires that one help heal the wounds of Vietnam, not reopen them."

You now seek to "reopen" these wounds. Please explain how you reconcile your current tactic of using the Vietnam War to your own political advantage with your contradictory statements of Feb. 27, 1992.

While we deeply appreciate your service to our nation, there are many lingering questions regarding your conduct after the war. In the early 1970s, you participated in Jane Fonda's "Winter Soldier Investigation," and you also testified before Congress. In this testimony, you accused your fellow soldiers of committing unspeakable atrocities.

Later, it was determined that many of these charges you leveled against your fellow soldiers were distorted or outright false. Please explain why Vietnam veterans should support your candidacy after you have publicly defamed them and falsely accused them of serious crimes.

As chairman of the Senate Select Committee on POW/MIA in the early 1990s, you lobbied zealously for normalized relations with Vietnam. As a result, your cousin, C. Stewart Forbes, was able to broker a billion-dollar deal between Hanoi and Colliers International, a large company based in your home state of Massachusetts. Is this merely an odd coincidence?

Further, there is credible evidence that your committee suppressed evidence – including live sightings – that there were indeed American prisoners still in Vietnam. If introduced, this evidence might have prevented the normalized relations you sought – normalized relations that were paramount to sealing the Colliers deal. Some investigators have charged that you threatened, if the suppressed evidence ever leaked out, that they would “"wish [they'd] never been born." Please answer these charges.

You have asserted that it is relevant to this campaign that President Bush allegedly missed a physical while he served in the National Guard decades ago – you and the DNC have described him as being AWOL, though he made up his missed time and was honorably discharged. The implication is that neglect of official duty is relevant to this campaign.

If this is the case, then it is, by implication, relevant that your attendance record in the 108th Congress was a dismal 36 percent. In other words, you have failed to execute your duties to your constituents as their senator 64 percent of the time in the last Congress.

Please explain why it is relevant that President Bush allegedly missed some time while serving his country in the National Guard decades ago, but it is not relevant that you have failed to represent your own constituents almost two-thirds of the time last session – i.e., that you were "AWOL" from the Senate.

As you may be aware, 2 USC § 39 mandates that "The Secretary of the Senate ... shall deduct from the [salary] of each Member ... the amount of his salary for each day that he has been absent from the Senate ... unless such Member ... assigns as the reason for such absence the sickness of himself or of some member of his family." Please explain why you feel you are exempt from this federal law.

Finally, please explain your ever-changing explanation of your vote on the resolution that authorized President Bush to use force in Iraq. On Oct. 10, 2002, you voted "aye" to H.J. Res. 114 (Senate vote #237). The explicit purpose of the bill was to "authorize the use of United States Armed Forces against Iraq."

There is no ambiguity in the text of this bill. Unless you did not understand the plain language of the text, please explain your claim that you only authorized "the threat" of force, subject to the permission of the U.N.

Sincerely,
Jonathan M. Stein

Cavallo, BOTL, it doesn't matter if it's true or not... If it's true, you'll say, "It's irreverent, or it's immaterial, i.e., doesn’t matter" If it's not true, you'll say, "see, I told you so". So you see, it really doesn’t matter, your mind is made up. You're voting for the man, whether he's a dirt bag or not, it simply doesn’t matter whether it’s true or not… Sad but true.

Cavallo, please accept my humble apologies.

Cav

I agree with your post regarding "Honest John" Kerry! He has long lived the society way and now denouncing that to be "one of you"! Too much to stomach! The choices are lean when it comes to politics!

Charlie

From Associated Press

A statement released Monday by Alexandra Polier, who has been the subject of rumors linking her to Sen. John Kerry

"For the last several days I have seen Internet and tabloid rumors relating to me and Senator John Kerry. Because these stories were false, I assumed the media would ignore them. It seems that efforts to peddle these lies continue, so I feel compelled to address them. I have never had a relationship with Senator Kerry, and the rumors in the press are completely false. Whoever is spreading these rumors and allegations does not know me, but should know the pain they have caused me and my family. I am in Kenya with my fiance visiting his family, and we ask that the press respect our privacy and leave all of us alone."


A statement by Terry and Donna Polier, the parents of Alexandra Polier:


"We have spoken to our daughter and the allegations that have been made regarding her are completely false and unsubstantiated. We love and support her 100 percent and these unfounded rumors are hurtful to our entire family. We appreciate the way Senator Kerry has handled the situation, and intend on voting for him for president of the United States."

robby: one question for you (and i'm not being a smarta$$ with it): what would it take to convince you that this rumor was/is false?

And then theres some of you who are so brainwashed that you couldn't see the truth if it smacked you in the face.....

Maybe you should book a trip to IRAQ and look for those WMDs we all know are there.....


DB

right, I don't know if it's true or not yet. I wouldn't belive it without some more evidence. But even still, it's bull crap that we talk about how many days W was in this squadren 30 years ago, or if Kerry got a hummer from a young lady, I don't see the relavence in either case. It shouldn't matter. The whole clinton thing though, in the oval office, and then lying about it. That was a bit much. But past history shouldn't be as big of a deal as it apparently is.

Robby.... Clinton isn't running ok?
Or should the Dems start talking Watergate and Nixon in response?? Who was so guilty that he left before his term.....not Clinton......

dbguru: thanks. i do see your point, but then what would you expect bush's administration to do about a rumor like that? if they're silent, they're complicit? what about if they're silent, they're not dignifying a rumor with a response? it truly could cut either way. :)

charlie: thank you, too. earlier in my life i was a democrat because my dad was a blue collar steel industry worker, and the only thing he opened up about was how he hated how the republican "the party of the rich" was out to "screw the working class man."

now i know that it's not that simple and never was. i don't even RECOGNIZE the democrat party now -- and i likewise don't recognize GWB as a republican; seems like many republicans don't either.

i guess it's time for me to let go of the label DEMOCRAT and go in search of something that's a little (no, a LOT) closer to my views, beliefs and values. :/

Charlie
You saying that Kerry is not suitable is just your opinion not a fact. To me that doesn't carry to much weigh as a justification for a decision. But its your opinion and I do respect it for that.

dbguru: oh, trust me -- i'm not sitting on any fences. i've been politically active since around the age of 15 when i first started listening to punk rockers go on about nuclear war. :) in my high school govt. class, we did a 20 questions "test" and stood up against the wall as a visual of how far to the left or right we were. most folks were in the middle; a few were farther to the right. i was so far left that i was out the door and standing in the hallway! lol

no, i'm not sitting any fences. what i'm doing is not just going along to get along. i'm not going in one direction just because "that's the way i've always voted." i'm also not jumping that fence to join the only other bandwagon in town.

what i'm doing is taking the time to take a cool, hard look around at ALL the options, doing my homework, paying attention to what i observe and making decisions based on all of it as i go along.

fence sitting suggests being sedentary. aside from my physical disability, i'm anything BUT. :)