Odessa78
08-16-2012, 04:18 PM
U. S. Sen. John F. Kerry says he’s running for re-election, but his fundraising has slowed to a trickle, leaving his campaign coffers severely depleted by lavish spending on everything from an exorbitant salary for a top aide to a newly bought SUV and even a $606 feast at embattled fast-food franchise Chick-fil-A.
A Herald Truth Squad review shows Kerry has only $1.5 million left in his campaign account, an alarmingly low total for a powerful and nationally known incumbent who faces re-election in two years.
The Massachusetts Democrat’s longtime chief of staff, David Wade, meanwhile, reported earning a whopping $303,000 in 2011, including $206,000 in payments from Kerry’s campaign and leadership PAC and a $97,000 taxpayer-funded Senate salary.
Wade’s total salary puts him well above any member of Congress, including Speaker of the House John Boehner, the highest paid lawmaker at $223,500.
Kerry’s dismal fundraising numbers raise questions about whether he really intends on running for re-election in 2014, or whether he is banking on President Obama winning a second term and appointing him Secretary of State.
Aides insist he is “gearing up” to run in 2014, but his last major fundraiser was nearly two years ago, in December 2010. Since then, Kerry has raised just a paltry $387,000, less than even Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino. Kerry’s 18-month take is equal to what Democratic Senate challenger Elizabeth Warren is raking in every three days.
Some Democrats are concerned about Kerry’s numbers because it could make him more vulnerable to a Republican challenge.
Kerry’s state director Drew O’Brien says the senator is not raising money now “as a courtesy” to Warren and other Democrats running this year, and is also busy raising money for other candidates. Kerry plans to start holding fundraisers for his own campaign after November, O’Brien said.
But even though he is doing virtually no fundraising for himself, Kerry’s campaign has blown through $1.7 million since Jan. 2011, including huge amounts for staff salaries, cars, travel and meals, according to campaign finance records reviewed by the Herald.
In April, Kerry’s campaign spent $606 at an Arlington, Va., Chick-fil-A, the fast food chain currently in the middle of a firestorm over the company CEO’s comments against gay marriage. Aides say Kerry was hosting a breakfast for interns.
Kerry’s Chick-fil-A feast came a few months before Mayor Menino vowed to ban the restaurant from Boston, triggering a heated national debate over freedom of speech and gay marriage.
Kerry also spent $35,000 this year on a Chevrolet Tahoe hybrid. O’Brien said Kerry had been leasing the vehicle and decided to buy it after making sure it was legal under Federal Election Committee laws.
“At the end of our lease, and under the guidance of our lawyers and the FEC, we decided to purchase the campaign vehicle we have,” O’Brien said.
Kerry has also spent more than $3,400 on a New York limo service this year, and nearly $700 for cupcakes.
He’s also used his campaign tab for expensive meals at spots including the Carlyle Hotel in New York and a steakhouse in Washington.
John Kerry still spending big, but coffers dip to $1.5m - BostonHerald.com (http://bostonherald.com/news/us_politics/view.bg?articleid=1061153522&position=1)
A Herald Truth Squad review shows Kerry has only $1.5 million left in his campaign account, an alarmingly low total for a powerful and nationally known incumbent who faces re-election in two years.
The Massachusetts Democrat’s longtime chief of staff, David Wade, meanwhile, reported earning a whopping $303,000 in 2011, including $206,000 in payments from Kerry’s campaign and leadership PAC and a $97,000 taxpayer-funded Senate salary.
Wade’s total salary puts him well above any member of Congress, including Speaker of the House John Boehner, the highest paid lawmaker at $223,500.
Kerry’s dismal fundraising numbers raise questions about whether he really intends on running for re-election in 2014, or whether he is banking on President Obama winning a second term and appointing him Secretary of State.
Aides insist he is “gearing up” to run in 2014, but his last major fundraiser was nearly two years ago, in December 2010. Since then, Kerry has raised just a paltry $387,000, less than even Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino. Kerry’s 18-month take is equal to what Democratic Senate challenger Elizabeth Warren is raking in every three days.
Some Democrats are concerned about Kerry’s numbers because it could make him more vulnerable to a Republican challenge.
Kerry’s state director Drew O’Brien says the senator is not raising money now “as a courtesy” to Warren and other Democrats running this year, and is also busy raising money for other candidates. Kerry plans to start holding fundraisers for his own campaign after November, O’Brien said.
But even though he is doing virtually no fundraising for himself, Kerry’s campaign has blown through $1.7 million since Jan. 2011, including huge amounts for staff salaries, cars, travel and meals, according to campaign finance records reviewed by the Herald.
In April, Kerry’s campaign spent $606 at an Arlington, Va., Chick-fil-A, the fast food chain currently in the middle of a firestorm over the company CEO’s comments against gay marriage. Aides say Kerry was hosting a breakfast for interns.
Kerry’s Chick-fil-A feast came a few months before Mayor Menino vowed to ban the restaurant from Boston, triggering a heated national debate over freedom of speech and gay marriage.
Kerry also spent $35,000 this year on a Chevrolet Tahoe hybrid. O’Brien said Kerry had been leasing the vehicle and decided to buy it after making sure it was legal under Federal Election Committee laws.
“At the end of our lease, and under the guidance of our lawyers and the FEC, we decided to purchase the campaign vehicle we have,” O’Brien said.
Kerry has also spent more than $3,400 on a New York limo service this year, and nearly $700 for cupcakes.
He’s also used his campaign tab for expensive meals at spots including the Carlyle Hotel in New York and a steakhouse in Washington.
John Kerry still spending big, but coffers dip to $1.5m - BostonHerald.com (http://bostonherald.com/news/us_politics/view.bg?articleid=1061153522&position=1)