# Say it ain't so, Kerry. Not another intern! **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [February 12, 2004, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/say-it-aint-so-kerry-not-another-intern/228876 "2004-02-12T16:56:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Lurker\_Steve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b9bd4f/32.png) [@Lurker\_Steve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lurker_Steve)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2004, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/say-it-aint-so-kerry-not-another-intern/228876/61 "2004-02-13T04:30:08Z")
> [@Sam Stone](#): > > But right now we’re all just speculating. I notice the “Enquirer” cover is also claiming allegations of drug use. Now, the Enquirer is usually not fit to wrap fish in, so I wouldn’t give it any credence, except that in the last few years it actually has had a record for scooping the major media and being right about some things. I guess we’ll just have to see if this turns into anything, and how Kerry handles it if there’s anything there. Kerry has publically stated that he’s used marijuana (along with Edwards and Dean): [http://www.issues2000.org/2004/John\_Kerry\_Drugs.htm](http://www.issues2000.org/2004/John_Kerry_Drugs.htm) He didn’t make any excuses (no “I didn’t inhale”) and in the end nobody cared. The Enquirer may have more allegations - that he’s used drugs while in public office (especially harder drugs), for instance, which would hurt his electability. In any case, if the affair did take place during their marriage, Theresa Heinz will be very, very pissed. ---
**Author:** ![Walloon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/fbc32d/32.png) [@Walloon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walloon)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2004, 4:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/say-it-aint-so-kerry-not-another-intern/228876/62 "2004-02-13T04:35:08Z")
> [@MMI](#): > > Of course, four years ago that same paragon of journalistic integrity (sarcasm directed at Enquirer) had a story about a strippers claims of a torrid affair (only physical though) with then governor Bush. (link found on Atrios’ site) > [http://www.nationalenquirer.com/stories/news.cfm?instanceid=5978](http://www.nationalenquirer.com/stories/news.cfm?instanceid=5978) Hold your sarcasm. If you actually read that article, you’ll see that after investigating the woman’s claims, the Enquirer disputes her story. ---
**Author:** ![Walloon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/fbc32d/32.png) [@Walloon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walloon)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2004, 5:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/say-it-aint-so-kerry-not-another-intern/228876/63 "2004-02-13T05:01:17Z")
[The Deseret News](http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,505037996,00.html): > [@](#): > > While Sen. John F. Kerry’s presidential candidacy has benefitted from the perception he can tap his wife’s multimillion-dollar fortune to finance his campaign, in reality federal election law restricts the amount of her money that is available to him. > > Under the terms of the law, Teresa Heinz Kerry, like any other donor, cannot give more than $2,000 each to her husband’s primary and general election campaigns. The law also restricts Kerry from tapping any portion of his wife’s fortune — estimated at $550 million, which placed her among last year’s Forbes magazine list of the richest 400 Americans — that is solely in her name. And the fact that Kerry has declined federal campaign financing during the primaries is irrelevant. [CBS News](http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/11/14/politics/main583796.shtml): > [@](#): > > Kerry’s decision to skip up to $18.7 million in public money comes despite a slowdown in his fund raising after a promising start, and the acknowledgment by his campaign that he cannot tap wife Teresa Heinz Kerry’s multimillion-dollar Heinz food fortune for the race. ---
**Author:** ![terd\_ferguson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8edcca/32.png) [@terd\_ferguson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terd_ferguson)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2004, 5:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/say-it-aint-so-kerry-not-another-intern/228876/64 "2004-02-13T05:22:56Z")
I heard that he can’t use his wife’s money for his campaign, but I think I heard he mortgated his house and used that. Yes, found a [link](http://www.pbs.org/newshour/updates/kerry_12-19-03.html). > [@](#): > > Presidential contender Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., announced Friday that he will contribute $850,000 of his own money and will mortgage his house in order to bolster the lagging finances of his campaign. > > Kerry will reportedly seek a mortgage on his half of a $10 million Boston town home that he owns jointly with wife and millionaire heiress Teresa Heinz Kerry. The mortgage would be worth around $5 million. Must be a nice house, that’s a lot of tomatoes. That’s been a while though, so he is probably through that and then some by now. ---
**Author:** ![Evil\_Captor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f17d59/32.png) [@Evil\_Captor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Captor)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2004, 12:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/say-it-aint-so-kerry-not-another-intern/228876/65 "2004-02-13T12:54:35Z")
Joe Conason correctly categorized Drudge as a weaselly panty-sniffer for being the one to break this story, and the Monica Lewinsky story, and I think that goes for the people who are flogging the story online, too. This is Kerry’s business, not ours. I’m sorry to see some of the more well-known Dopers on both sides of the argument in here, joining the League or Ordinary Panty Sniffers. Way to go, guys (and gals). ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2004, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/say-it-aint-so-kerry-not-another-intern/228876/66 "2004-02-13T13:19:02Z")
I’m not sure why [Drudge’s site links to this article](http://www.philly.com/mld/dailynews/news/local/7943785.htm?template=contentModules/printstory.jsp), as it’s not exactly complimentary. Maybe he just has a hardon for seeing his name in print. Anyway- > [@](#): > > But there’s one huge problem with the story, which raced through newsrooms across the country like a computer virus: Nobody has been able to confirm that it was true. > > “This rumor has been out there for months and months,” Neil Oxman, the prominent Democratic consultant based in Philadelphia, said last night. He said there were various versions, including several that had Kerry dating a young woman well before the 2000 election, when Al Gore looked at Kerry as a potential running mate. > > Oxman said there’s just no way to judge whether the story is really damaging to the Kerry campaign until any facts come out. > [@](#): > > Indeed, other accounts last night said Clark was instead referring to Kerry’s reportedly wild bachelor days between the breakup of his first marriage and his 1996 wedding to Teresa Heinz Kerry. Kerry reportedly dated actress Morgan Fairchild and other starlets. > [@](#): > > Numerous fingers for the uproar were pointed last night at Clark’s top aide, Chris Lehane, who was Gore’s campaign press secretary in 2000. Washington insider Craig Crawford of Congressional Quarterly said in a widely circulated e-mail that Lehane had been “shopping” the story to reporters for a long time. > > “The Kerry camp has long expected to deal with this, and have assured party leaders they can handle it,” he said. ---
**Author:** ![Uncommon\_Sense](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Uncommon\_Sense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uncommon_Sense)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2004, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/say-it-aint-so-kerry-not-another-intern/228876/67 "2004-02-13T13:19:23Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > Did his first wife have money? > > Actually, this is about the only way this could hurt him. > > **If** this turns out to be true, and happened after he married Mrs. Ketchup, and she didn’t know about it, it is possible that the Heinz 57 money stream may dry up. I understand she wasn’t real happy when he decided to go for the White House. **If** this is how it goes down, she may either dump him, or yank the purse strings to keep him home and off panty patrol. > > I guess we’ll see, both **if** this is true, and **if** the mainstream media can’t ignore it. > > Regards, > Shodan Are you nuts?? Name one democratic politicians’ wife that dumped him because of infidelity. She may be the first lady for cripes sake, she ain`t going anywhere. ---
**Author:** ![WernhamHogg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a587f6/32.png) [@WernhamHogg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WernhamHogg)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2004, 1:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/say-it-aint-so-kerry-not-another-intern/228876/68 "2004-02-13T13:21:40Z")
Maybe it’ll turn out that Kerry once attended the same rock concert as a nubile intern. Good enough for me! ---
**Author:** ![Uncommon\_Sense](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Uncommon\_Sense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uncommon_Sense)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2004, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/say-it-aint-so-kerry-not-another-intern/228876/69 "2004-02-13T13:24:05Z")
> [@Diogenes the Cynic](#): > > Why is this newsworthy anyway? There’s no “perjury” excuse this time. No allegation of illegality, so who gives a fuck? > > Remember all the Pubs who kept indignantly denying that they cared about a blow job. “It’s the _perjury_,” they moaned. > > I don’t see how this can have any legs unless she’s underage or something. If no law was broken and his wife doesn’t care, then how is this relevant? > > Sludge says that Kerry is going to explain himself on Imus tomorrow. If he’s honest people probably won’t care much. Imus came and went and Kerry categorically denied the allegations. I agree with you, if he`s honest and up front about what did or didn`t happen, it`s no big deal. Some voters do care about loyalty in their politicians (I for one) and would view this as breach in the hull. ---
**Author:** ![WernhamHogg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a587f6/32.png) [@WernhamHogg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WernhamHogg)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2004, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/say-it-aint-so-kerry-not-another-intern/228876/70 "2004-02-13T13:27:49Z")
> [@Uncommon Sense](#): > > Imus came and went and Kerry categorically denied the allegations. > > I agree with you, if he`s honest and up front about what did or didn`t happen, it`s no big deal. > > Some voters do care about loyalty in their politicians (I for one) and would view this as breach in the hull. Why do you assume it’s true? Maybe Kerry denies it because that’s the honest thing to do. This pisses me off. If some website said Bush had banged an intern, it wouldn’t be news and nobody would believe it. But since it’s a democrat, and you’ve taught by the media to believe democrats are morally weak people, you don’t hesitate to believe this and if Kerry says it ain’t so, you’ll fault him for not being honest about it. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Corrado](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a88e4f/32.png) [@John\_Corrado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Corrado)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2004, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/say-it-aint-so-kerry-not-another-intern/228876/71 "2004-02-13T13:38:40Z")
> [@tomyoung](#): > > Ann Coulter had a whole chapter devoted to it in _High Crimes and Misdemeanors._ I understand Rush refers to it as “unsolved” from time to time. Freepers often refer to “Arkancide.” From all this, I definitely get the impression that when the right talks to the right, there are a great number of people who entertain the theory, anyway. How are we supposed to meet your standard, exactly? I will not accept the rambling of Freepers (especially without pointing to specific threads), various office co-workers (because we all know finding one guy in an office who believes something indicates it is widely believed by the party he is part of), or statements such as “I understand Rush refers to it…” (which indicates never having heard him say it yourself, nor having any specific dates or shows upon which he said it). However, Ann Coulter having devoted an entire chapter to the issue _is_ proof of a high-level, popular conservative pundit continuing to push the issue. In which case, I withdraw the allegation, and apologize to **rjung** for underestimating the idiocy that can appear in my party. ---
**Author:** ![furt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/439d5e/32.png) [@furt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/furt)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2004, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/say-it-aint-so-kerry-not-another-intern/228876/72 "2004-02-13T13:42:35Z")
> [@skutir](#): > > Why do you assume it’s true? Maybe Kerry denies it because that’s the honest thing to do. > > This pisses me off. Read it again, and note the use of the words “would” and “what did or didn`t happen.” The only one assuming any damn thing is you. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2004, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/say-it-aint-so-kerry-not-another-intern/228876/73 "2004-02-13T14:04:44Z")
> [@Evil Captor](#): > > sorry to see some of the more well-known Dopers on both sides of the argument in here, joining the League or Ordinary Panty Sniffers. MMMMMM! Panties! Better yet, Morgan Fairchild’s panties! So, what we have so far is that John Kerry has a history of “marrying well” and in the case of his current wife very well indeed. In the period between separating from and finalizing the divorce from his first wife he dated, which is technically adultery but a form that triggers a big yawn in anybody but stalkers and the most stickly sticklers. The only name of a datee we have so far is Ms Fairchild, and most men of a certain age will react to that with news with jealousy while younger ones may react with “You mean the other old lady on Old Navy ads?” There are rumors that he dated one or more women considerably younger than he but the meet and proper reaction to that is “You the man!” and a playful punch to the junior Senator from Massachusetts’ upper arm. So far this story has no there there. Come back when you have video of him with underage triplets or a gangster’s moll. ---
**Author:** ![Futile\_Gesture](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/f05b48/32.png) [@Futile\_Gesture](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Futile_Gesture)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2004, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/say-it-aint-so-kerry-not-another-intern/228876/74 "2004-02-13T14:13:01Z")
Jeeze, Anyone would think he’d got caught drunk driving, or draft dodging or something. Now, something like _that_ could mess up a candidate’s chances, but this??? :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Gaudere](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e495f1/32.png) [@Gaudere](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gaudere)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2004, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/say-it-aint-so-kerry-not-another-intern/228876/75 "2004-02-13T14:38:49Z")
**Evil Captor** : > [@](#): > > You’re all a bunch of damn panty-sniffers! […] I’m sorry to see some of the more well-known Dopers on both sides of the argument in here, joining the League or Ordinary Panty Sniffers. Way to go, guys (and gals). [Moderator Hat ON] Evil Captor, do NOT call your fellow posters “panty-sniffers” in this forum. [Moderator Hat OFF] ---
**Author:** ![Desmostylus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c57346/32.png) [@Desmostylus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Desmostylus)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2004, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/say-it-aint-so-kerry-not-another-intern/228876/76 "2004-02-13T14:57:56Z")
This is getting fucking strange. > [@](#): > > [New intern claim hits Kerry run](http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,8676577%255E2703,00.html) > > AMERICA’S “trash trawling” presidential election campaign shows no sign of abating after a conservative internet website made unsubstantiated claims that a personal scandal had “rocked” the campaign of Democrat frontrunner Senator John Kerry. > > \*\*The allegations came as the Republican Party accused the Democrats of running the dirtiest election campaign of modern times, and tipped that false allegations about Mr Bush driving a girlfriend to an abortion clinic would surface on the internet. \*\* ---
**Author:** ![Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de053/32.png) [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2004, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/say-it-aint-so-kerry-not-another-intern/228876/77 "2004-02-13T15:07:49Z")
Unless he’s an idiot, Kerry must be telling the truth. He categorically denied that it happened in Imus. If it happened, he must know that it’s going to come out. And getting caught lying to the public BEFORE the election is political suicide. Admitting an affair, or even marital infidelity, isn’t anymore. Clinton was completely forgiven for the affair, but lying about it may have diminished his legacy. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2004, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/say-it-aint-so-kerry-not-another-intern/228876/78 "2004-02-13T15:09:24Z")
> [@Desmostylus](#): > > This is getting fucking strange. In forty years of following politics, most of it in the Chicago area so you know what high standards I have, this is shaping up to be the most entertaining campaign I’ve ever seen. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Moto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de0a6/32.png) [@Mr.Moto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Moto)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2004, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/say-it-aint-so-kerry-not-another-intern/228876/79 "2004-02-13T15:15:12Z")
> [@Uncommon Sense](#): > > Are you nuts?? > Name one democratic politicians’ wife that dumped him because of infidelity. > She may be the first lady for cripes sake, she ain`t going anywhere. Just an observation. I’m from Pittsburgh, so I’ve had a front row seat to the Theresa Heinz show for many years. She is fabulously wealthy, has made herself a powerful charitable giver, and is a lady of forceful opinion, few of which I agree with. She has, from her years as a wife to another senator (John Heinz), and her years as a major Democratic fundraiser, a vast political network all of her own. She also has a fierce independent streak, and has made statements in the past that she wouldn’t tolerate infidelity. I’m not saying John Kerry’s guilty of anything. I’m not saying she’ll leave or stay. I’m only saying that, with her, you can’t assume anything. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2004, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/say-it-aint-so-kerry-not-another-intern/228876/80 "2004-02-13T15:18:38Z")
> [@Gaudere](#): > > Evil Captor, do NOT call your fellow posters “panty-sniffers” in this forum. 😃 This is my favorite Mod warning ever! As to the thread: Kerry should maybe take a page from Bush and say, “I have not fucked interns in the last eight years. Wait, make that the last fourteen years. No, wait, make that since 1985, or at least September, uh, 23 1985. But goddammit, I’m not going to dignify your questions about me fucking interns before September 22, 1985 with a response!” If W. can get away with answering cocaine-use questions like that, surely Kerry can use the same trick on sex questions. Daniel [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/say-it-aint-so-kerry-not-another-intern/228876.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/say-it-aint-so-kerry-not-another-intern/228876.md?page=5)