KingPK 0 Report post Posted May 22, 2004 DNC mess could be for nothing: Kerry may not accept nomination in Boston By David R. Guarino and Noelle Straub Saturday, May 22, 2004S en. John F. Kerry [related, bio] may stall his presidential nomination until after Boston's convention to boost fund raising, a threat that left stunned locals wondering why the traffic-snarling security nightmare is even necessary. The unprecedented delay tactic could make the four-day Democratic National Convention meaningless. And it immediately raised a wave of legal questions - including whether the Homeland Security designation will be lifted and if the organizing committee would be wrongly spending taxpayer dollars on the event. Partisan critics pounced on Kerry for considering such a move given what area commuters learned Thursday about road closures likely to cripple the region. ``I feel bad for the hundreds of thousands of commuters who are going to be inconvenienced simply for a political pep rally,'' said Darrell Crate, chairman of the Massachusetts Republican Party. President Bush's campaign used the explosive possibility to belittle Kerry as a waffler. ``Only John Kerry [related, bio] could be for a nominating convention, but be against the nomination,'' Bush campaign manager Ken Mehlman said. Kerry staffers stressed the delay is only one of many options being weighed to counteract the president's advantage heading into the general election sprint. The Bay State senator is due to receive the nomination July 29 at the FleetCenter, five weeks before Bush takes the Republican nod in New York. Under campaign finance rules, both candidates are prevented from spending beyond a $75 million federal allocation from the convention until Election Day. ``The reality is that with the high stakes of this election, the Democratic Party can't afford to fight with one arm tied behind its back,'' Kerry spokesman David Wade said. By delaying his official nomination, Kerry would be able to spend freely from his collected money for at least another month. It was unclear how the nomination would be conducted. A Democratic source said officials are investigating a plan to change party rules to allow delegates to recess the convention before delegates vote - allowing them to vote by Internet or proxy sometime before Sept. 1. Either way, aides said, Kerry would give an acceptance speech but stop just short of formally accepting the nomination. Democrats backed Kerry on the potential move, calling it ``smart politics'' and saying bruised egos hurt less than losing to Bush. But the possibility caught Boston officials unaware yesterday. Sources said Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino and organizers at two separate convention planning committees found out from a wire service report - not from Kerry campaign officials. The local Democratic National Convention Committee hosted an emergency meeting to buck up its workforce. Still, the DNCC could face more difficult problems ahead since the DNCC is funded with $15 million in taxpayer money. A spokesman at the Federal Election Commission said money can be spent only for ``nominating conventions'' defined as meetings by major political parties that ``choose'' a nominee. If Kerry isn't nominated here, all the Boston spending could be called into question. A DNCC spokeswoman said the issue hadn't even been considered. ``That's one of the things that is going to be point of the consideration,'' said Peggy Wilhide, spokeswoman for the DNCC. Bostonians should get a kick out of this. Traffic will be a nightmare, buisinesses are closing, and even the mayor is saying people essentially should plan their lives around this thing, and even stay out of Boston if they can, and the reason they are doing all this (Kerry accepting the nomination), MIGHT NOT EVEN HAPPEN!! I will LAUGH my ass off if this causes him to lose Massachusetts in the election, because the DNC plans are pissing a LOT of people off. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jobber of the Week 0 Report post Posted May 23, 2004 FEC might say he has no choice in the matter and has to anyway, so they have to keep their preperations around in case that happens. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Highland 0 Report post Posted May 23, 2004 What are the point of these conventions anyway? They're basically a coronation for the presidential candidate. It's not like there are ever any doubts as to whom the nominee will be. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Wildbomb 4:20 Report post Posted May 23, 2004 Kerry won't lose MA, period. A conservative here is often times labeled a liberal anywhere else in the country, except for maybe good old Mitt Romney. Anyways, from what I've got, he's trying to delay the gap between the dates in which he and Bush receive their alotted money for the election. It's halfway decent idea, but on the flip side: the basic point of the convention is to have him accept the nod. Ah well...what are you going to do. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Corey_Lazarus 0 Report post Posted May 23, 2004 Traffic will be a nightmare, buisinesses are closing, Wait...THESE THINGS ARE NEW TO BOSTON?! I will LAUGH my ass off if this causes him to lose Massachusetts in the election, because the DNC plans are pissing a LOT of people off. Meh. Massholes love dem liberals. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest MikeSC Report post Posted May 23, 2004 What are the point of these conventions anyway? They're basically a coronation for the presidential candidate. It's not like there are ever any doubts as to whom the nominee will be. Well, NOW, they don't really have a point. However, back before about 1952, it's where the nominee was picked --- sometimes almost out of thin air. -=Mike ...Yup, campaign finance reform is working WONDERS Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kkktookmybabyaway 0 Report post Posted May 23, 2004 I will LAUGH my ass off if this causes him to lose Massachusetts in the election, because the DNC plans are pissing a LOT of people off. I'll be more shocked if America's Vietnam War Hero wins MA by less than 20 points. Oh, and speaking of America's Vietman War Hero, this is currently on Drudge... President fell off bike today... Kerry told reporters in front of cameras, 'Did the training wheels fall off?'... Reporters are debating whether to treat it is as on or off the record... Funny stuff... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest MikeSC Report post Posted May 23, 2004 I will LAUGH my ass off if this causes him to lose Massachusetts in the election, because the DNC plans are pissing a LOT of people off. I'll be more shocked if America's Vietnam War Hero wins MA by less than 20 points. Oh, and speaking of America's Vietman War Hero, this is currently on Drudge... President fell off bike today... Kerry told reporters in front of cameras, 'Did the training wheels fall off?'... Reporters are debating whether to treat it is as on or off the record... Funny stuff... Maybe Bush should've sworn at a Secret Service guy and blamed the spill on him. -=Mike Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jobber of the Week 0 Report post Posted May 23, 2004 Eh, Matt does have his biases. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kkktookmybabyaway 0 Report post Posted May 23, 2004 Matt Drudge -- biased? Thanks for opening up my eyes to the world there. Next thing you know you'll tell me John Kerry stumbled and fell in Vietnam and blamed it on the person he was carrying upon his shoulders who got shot in battle. (Edited for post-meaning clarity...) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jobber of the Week 0 Report post Posted May 23, 2004 Hmm, wonder what I mean by that? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kkktookmybabyaway 0 Report post Posted May 23, 2004 That you find Matt's "P.I." hat to be incredibly sexy. (sorry for not putting my " " up right away...) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Highland 0 Report post Posted May 24, 2004 What are the point of these conventions anyway? They're basically a coronation for the presidential candidate. It's not like there are ever any doubts as to whom the nominee will be. Well, NOW, they don't really have a point. However, back before about 1952, it's where the nominee was picked --- sometimes almost out of thin air. -=Mike ...Yup, campaign finance reform is working WONDERS So, the primaries and caucases act as a sort of safeguard from potential electoral corruption, and the conventions are just more or less a formality and a tradition? Heh, I learn something new everyday. Thanks. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest MikeSC Report post Posted May 24, 2004 What are the point of these conventions anyway? They're basically a coronation for the presidential candidate. It's not like there are ever any doubts as to whom the nominee will be. Well, NOW, they don't really have a point. However, back before about 1952, it's where the nominee was picked --- sometimes almost out of thin air. -=Mike ...Yup, campaign finance reform is working WONDERS So, the primaries and caucases act as a sort of safeguard from potential electoral corruption, and the conventions are just more or less a formality and a tradition? Heh, I learn something new everyday. Thanks. Actually, TV coverage did that more than anything else. It's hard for parties to do the whole "smoke-filled room" deals when the cameras are watching. -=Mike Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kkktookmybabyaway 0 Report post Posted May 24, 2004 I guess it would be fitting for Kerry to flip-flop on his Party's nomination. "I accept the nomination, but I don't accept the nomination..." Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest MikeSC Report post Posted May 24, 2004 The networks are NOT HAPPY about this at all. There appears to be questions as to whether they should even COVER the Democratic Convention at all. To quote Mark Lukasiewicz, exec. VP of election coverage for NBC, "As a rule, we don't like hearing about another piece of news that won't be happening at the convention" -=Mike Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kkktookmybabyaway 0 Report post Posted May 24, 2004 It'd be great if Big Media coverd the Dem. Convention, and when America's Vietnam War Hero would come to the stage to accept the nomination he looks into the camera and says, "You got served..." Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest MikeSC Report post Posted May 24, 2004 It'd be great if Big Media coverd the Dem. Convention, and when America's Vietnam War Hero would come to the stage to accept the nomination he looks into the camera and says, "You got served..." Would he then kick his shoe off and accidentally kill a dozen people? Because THAT would rule all. -=Mike Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kkktookmybabyaway 0 Report post Posted May 24, 2004 Especially if Hillary, Leahy and Uncle Ted were among some of the people to fall due to the "killer shoe..." Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest MikeSC Report post Posted May 24, 2004 Especially if Hillary, Leahy and Uncle Ted were among some of the people to fall due to the "killer shoe..." Of course, the shoe would be made of a product derived from petroleum --- WHICH MEANS HALIBURTON DID IT!!! AIEEEE! -=Mike Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
