# Hey! Kerry! Cough It Up! **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [October 24, 2006, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-kerry-cough-it-up/377752 "2006-10-24T20:57:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2006, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-kerry-cough-it-up/377752/1 "2006-10-24T20:57:44Z")
Don’t like what we’re hearing, John. Long time fan, myself, but you got me scratching my head wondering WTF? Hearing stuff about how you and some others in the “centrist” wing are sitting on piles of cash, stockpiling for later political moves. Thats like shutting down the fire hose when your house is blazing because you may need to water your lawn. It won’t do, podnuh. It simply won’t do. “You and I have been through this, and this is not our fate So let us not talk falsely now, the hour is getting late” - St. Robert of Hibbing I don’t give two shits for your ambitions. Wouldn’t mind a bit having you for a candidate, don’t mind Gore, Edwards be OK too. Don’t trust Hilary. The time is crucial, this election could be one of the major turning points. We need, desperately _need_ a broad, wide, and deep repudiation of the Bushivik agenda, which is a cancer on our very souls. If I work at it really hard, I might be able to exagerrate that importance. By the grace of a just and loving Goddess, we have an opportunity. Power to change is within our grasp, as well as an opportunity to demonstrate just what it is that makes democracy the tits: that we can change our minds. And when we change our minds, we change our leader’s minds, because we get to reach into our pockets and squeeze thier balls every few years. Pour out the money. Borrow money. Beg money. Write bad checks. Whatever. If a candidate is within ten points as of last week, he has a chance. Within five points, a _very_ good chance. If the Forces of Darkness do not recieve a sound thrashing, a blistering repudiation, they will claim victory. Hell, they claimed a mandate when they \*lost \* the popular vote! There must be no “wiggle roon”, no “yes, but…”. “In their eyes there’s something lacking What they need’s a damned good whacking!” - Some rock band. Screw your ambitions, screw theirs, but don’t screw us. I hear reasonable suggestions of 30% of your campaign war chest. I say “\*\*sic 'em!”. \*\* Throw it all in. You once were willing to risk your ambitions in the name of truth. And I applauded you. Once more, then. Do it for your country, and the cheers will ring in you ears for years to come, if you are never elected for anything again, ever. Be the leader, John, show 'em what class is! 'Cause you can bet yer Yalie ass that if **you** throw down, they wouldn’t dare not emulate you. How would you like to hear “frontrunner” again? Well, there’s how. Lead. Fail us, turn away to cherish some future ambition…well, what can one say? Fuck ya. ---
**Author:** ![Giles](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/giles/32/60_2.png) [@Giles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Giles)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2006, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-kerry-cough-it-up/377752/2 "2006-10-24T21:08:11Z")
Are you talking about [this kind of story](http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2006/10/21/kerry_is_pressured_to_share_campaign_wealth/) ? ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2006, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-kerry-cough-it-up/377752/3 "2006-10-24T21:10:09Z")
Just so. Would have provided the link myself, but I’m lazy and easily…ooh! Shiny! ---
**Author:** ![Caridwen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c89c15/32.png) [@Caridwen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Caridwen)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2006, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-kerry-cough-it-up/377752/4 "2006-10-24T21:22:58Z")
Maybe he’s planning on trying to run again? ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2006, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-kerry-cough-it-up/377752/5 "2006-10-24T21:33:01Z")
“Some rock band” being that little-known four-piece beat combo known popularly as “The Beatles”. ---
**Author:** ![wring](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/838e76/32.png) [@wring](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wring)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2006, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-kerry-cough-it-up/377752/6 "2006-10-24T21:35:16Z")
[QUOTE=Caridwen] Maybe he’s planning on trying to run again? [/QUOTE] the OP seems to take that into account and is chiding him for that, suggesting that an altruistic, 'Merica loving Dem at this point would be all about wrestling controll of the legislature away from teh souless. ---
**Author:** ![Caridwen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c89c15/32.png) [@Caridwen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Caridwen)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2006, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-kerry-cough-it-up/377752/7 "2006-10-24T21:51:56Z")
Well, he does have a point, and he’s not the only candidate sitting on pots of money. Gore did give his money back and he really should give some portion back especially since there are so many critical elections. It seems like the republicans are always better funded or better organized even at local levels. I’m pretty involved in local politics in my area and for the last election the amount of money that trickled down was nothing compared to republican candidates in our area and we had a candidate running for governor that had money and had a well funded campaign. ---
**Author:** ![DoctorJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctorj/32/2904_2.png) [@DoctorJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DoctorJ)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2006, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-kerry-cough-it-up/377752/8 "2006-10-24T21:54:31Z")
> [@](#): > > “Some rock band” being that little-known four-piece beat combo known popularly as “The Beatles”. Beatles, eh? Oh yes, I seem to remember their off-key caterwauling on the old Sullivan Show. What was Ed thinking? ---
**Author:** ![Shayna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shayna/32/17976_2.png) [@Shayna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shayna)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2006, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-kerry-cough-it-up/377752/9 "2006-10-24T21:59:31Z")
> [@](#): > > Including the $1 million he gave to the DSCC in December 2004, Kerry has doled out $2.8 million to party campaign committees, state parties, and individual candidates since the 2004 election. He has also helped bring in some $7 million for candidates through fund-raisers and his political action committee, including $1.7 million that has gone to Democratic Senate candidates. > > \ > > Kerry aides said the senator saved the cash to cover leftover presidential campaign bills and to pay for lawyers in case he had to challenge voting irregularities in some states or if his race against President Bush had to be settled in court. > > Though he quickly kicked in $1 million to the DSCC, gave $500,000 to the DCCC, and $1 million to the Democratic National Committee, Kerry has held on to the bulk of his campaign money as he prepares for a possible second run at the White House in 2008. **'luci** , have you drained your savings account for our cause? If not, why not? If you haven’t, why should you expect John Kerry to? Why isn’t $11.3 million dollars in personal donations and funds raised enough, just because he has more he could potentially give? If he genuinely thinks he’s the best candidate to turn this nation around, why would squandering his assets against his interests in that effort be better for this nation than a Kerry Presidency in '08? I don’t _agree_ that he’d be the best candidate (my money’s on Obama), but why shouldn’t _he_? You _might_ be able to convince me that he’s being stingy against our party’s and our country’s best interest, but so far I’m not necessarily buying it. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2006, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-kerry-cough-it-up/377752/10 "2006-10-24T22:26:39Z")
Darlin’, you got any idea how much money I don’t have? ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2006, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-kerry-cough-it-up/377752/11 "2006-10-24T22:29:27Z")
Kerry’s been hitting the campaign trail pretty hard for a lot of these guys. Go a little easier on him, willya? Besides, he does need to buy national advertising in 2 years. ---
**Author:** ![MovieMogul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f08c70/32.png) [@MovieMogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MovieMogul)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2006, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-kerry-cough-it-up/377752/12 "2006-10-24T22:59:23Z")
[QUOTE=ElvisL1ves] Kerry’s been hitting the campaign trail pretty hard for a lot of these guys. Go a little easier on him, willya? [/QUOTE] Let’s be honest, “hitting the campaign trail” does less for the Dems he’s obstensively supporting and more for Kerry’s massively bruised ego. If he honestly thinks he has any real chance in 2008, he’s delusional (and I’ve seen plenty of quotes from him to support this). He had his shot and he screwed it up big time, and all he can come up with are excuses. If it was any other candidate, I might understand. But Kerry’s a tool who doesn’t hesitate in calling those who are asking for his help, as described in the OP, as [“cowards”](http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/24/us/politics/24donate.html?_r=1&ref=politics&oref=slogin). He needs to get off the stage and make room for a real candidate. ---
**Author:** ![Wolfian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/7ea924/32.png) [@Wolfian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wolfian)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2006, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-kerry-cough-it-up/377752/13 "2006-10-24T23:03:56Z")
[QUOTE=jjimm] “Some rock band” being that little-known four-piece beat combo known popularly as “The Beatles”. [/QUOTE] More accurately George Harrison and his mother, which is farkin’ awesome. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2006, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-kerry-cough-it-up/377752/14 "2006-10-24T23:21:27Z")
Just a point of fact, **Archie**. The quote is from Kerry’s “spokesman”, a Mr. Wade, and is aimed at bloggers criticizing, not directly aimed at candidates beseeching his aid. Just to clarify, you understand. That said, if Kerry wants to lead, he should lead. Show how its done. If he doesn’t want to lead, he still has some obligation to the collective effort above and beyond his personal ambitions, otherwise, he represents nothing more than his ambition. I have long been a fan of Mr. Kerry, since anti-war days. The other anti-war. But I also recognize that here is a man who has wanted to be President since he could spell it. And that’s ok, nothing wrong with ambition held in check by principles. Ah, but there’s the rub, no? So here’s his chance. Lead, follow, or get out of the way. Keep in mind, I’m only focusing on Kerry because he 1) so visible and 2) I want to be right about him. I want to see him put his country above himself, once again. But there are several others who rightly deserve a share of scolding, but they are lesser fish. And they would have no choice but to respond if Kerry steps up. He can show what he’s made of. Sterner stuff, I’m hoping, but we’ll see. Want to lead, John? Then lead from the front, lead by example. Hell, I already done the hard part, I told you how! Show us you deserve to lead, and I expect that, when the time comes, we can probably find a dollar or two to help you out. ---
**Author:** ![Zoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/a4c791/32.png) [@Zoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zoe)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2006, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-kerry-cough-it-up/377752/15 "2006-10-25T01:32:20Z")
Keep in mind that the money was donated to _him_ with the hope that he would be the one to use it. He has the right to hang on for a while. Is there really that much that could be done on a state basis by the time the money is transferred these last two weeks? Anyone have recent poll stats for Tennessee, Missouri and Virginia for the Senate? ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2006, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-kerry-cough-it-up/377752/16 "2006-10-25T01:40:13Z")
[QUOTE=Zoe] Anyone have recent poll stats for Tennessee, Missouri and Virginia for the Senate? [/QUOTE] [Today’s polls were from Virginia and Rhode Island](http://www.electoral-vote.com/): > [@](#): > > We have two Senate polls today, both in key states. In Virginia, incumbent Sen.George Allen (R-VA) seems to have extracted himself from the macaca he stepped in earlier and continues to have a small lead over former Navy Secretary Jim Webb (D), 47% to 43%, according to Mason-Dixon. > > In Rhode Island, Rasmussen has Sheldon Whitehouse (D) ahead of incumbent Sen. Lincoln Chafee (R-RI) by 52% to 44%. Chafee has trailed all year. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2006, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-kerry-cough-it-up/377752/17 "2006-10-26T18:06:34Z")
I am pleased to report that the force of my disapproval has moved Sen. Kerry to respond appropriately, chipping in a further half-million bucks. Please be assured that this public demonstration of my awesome political influence will not bloat my self-esteem in some unseemly fashion, I remain the same humble and modest correspondent. Difficult as that may be in moments of triumph. Such as this. ---
**Author:** ![Damuri\_Ajashi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/898d66/32.png) [@Damuri\_Ajashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Damuri_Ajashi)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2006, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-kerry-cough-it-up/377752/18 "2006-10-26T20:56:04Z")
[QUOTE=Zoe] Keep in mind that the money was donated to _him_ with the hope that he would be the one to use it. He has the right to hang on for a while. Is there really that much that could be done on a state basis by the time the money is transferred these last two weeks? Anyone have recent poll stats for Tennessee, Missouri and Virginia for the Senate? [/QUOTE] You could always run more commercials. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2006, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-kerry-cough-it-up/377752/19 "2006-10-26T21:02:14Z")
_Dirty filthy Congressmans. They wants the precious, but it’s mine. It’s mine, I tell you, it’s mine!!_ ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2006, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-kerry-cough-it-up/377752/20 "2006-10-26T21:39:32Z")
[QUOTE=elucidator] Please be assured that this public demonstration of my awesome political influence will not bloat my self-esteem in some unseemly fashion. [/QUOTE] I am confident you will use your powers only for good. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-kerry-cough-it-up/377752.md?page=2)