When I'm right, I'm right... When I'm wrong,

[Totally Committed]

I admit it, and try to put things right. So, here goes:

Over this last weekend, all hell sort of broke loose over a website, HeyJohn.org. Seems this site was set up to ask John Kerry why he was still sitting on a load of cash when so many close races could use an influx of $$$ right about now. No, they're not floundering races... They are races that are actually quite close, and could go either way. At any rate, this is the thread (now locked) that started it all:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=132&topic_id=2893836

Here is the reaction thread:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=132&topic_id=2894618

And, here are my pertinent replies within that thread:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=132&topic_id=2894618#2895234
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=132&topic_id=2894618#2895672
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=132&topic_id=2894618#2897692
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=132&topic_id=2894618#2897721

In another thread (also locked), Kerry supporters were addressed directly about this subject. Since this is against the rules of DU, I am assuming that's why the thread was locked, but before it was, mloutre wrote a very logical and well-thought-out reply to the author of the OP. I reference it here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=132&topic_id=2895079#2895155

That is the background for what I am about to write.

This morning, I was PM-ed the following information and accompanying links. Real life being what it is, this info had escaped me in the last couple of days. To be honest, the tenor of this argument, and others raging here of late, has sent my attention elsewhere, on to the more mundane, in search of a bit of peace of mind. But, that's not an excuse, it's just the facts. I did some checking before weighing in on the subject initially, and the info I found seemed to point to this information about Senator Kerry being wrong, but, nonetheless, here is the information in the PM I received this morning (The emphasis is not mine, but that used in the PM):


Monday, October 23, 2006

Dems asked Kerry to share his millions to help Dem candidates, Kerry said no
by John in DC - 10/22/2006 11:02:00 AM
http://americablog.blogspot.com /

excerpt from Boston Globe article 10/21/06:
http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2006/10/21/kerry_is_pressured_to_share_campaign_wealth/?page=1

Kerry, a Massachusetts Democrat, has given less than $15,000 to the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee since the beginning of 2005. Though he has helped candidates in a variety of other ways, his last major financial contribution to the DSCC came a month after he lost the 2004 presidential election, when he used $1 million in leftover campaign funds to help the committee retire its debt....

Last month, when DSCC officials asked all Democratic senators for last-call financial contributions before Election Day, Senator Edward M. Kennedy of Massachusetts was among three lawmakers who donated $1 million each. Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York signed a check for $2 million.

Kerry, however, kept his checkbook shut. The senator's aides said he has no plans to give again.

Jerry Lundergan, chairman of the Kentucky Democratic Party, said he contacted Kerry's advisers on Thursday, urging them to tell the senator how much the congressional campaigns need his money.

"I have made my wishes known," said Lundergan, whose state features two close House races in which Democrats have a good chance to oust incumbent Republicans. "It's his money to do with what he wants to. But I only hope that he shares some of it with those states, such as Kentucky, which contributed very extensively to his campaign."

****

Those are the facts, as stated in the PM.

I hope this puts things right with the author of that PM, but it is not the end of the story for me.

As anyone who pays attention to anything I write knows, I have become pretty disenchanted with many circumstances and people within the Democratic Party. I've actually made it my business to say loudly and clearly whenever the chance presents itself, as a matter of fact, that I dislike everything about the DLC and the politicos who are its members. But, that's not what this is about, so that's only an example of the things thaht have gotten under my skin about this Party. Another fact about me is that I am no fan of Senator Kerry, and haven't been for a while. That is a more important thing to remember as you read this, so I hope you will.

Whether or not you support Senator Kerry and his future run for office, and no matter what you think of his performance up to this date, one thing about him is true, and always will be: He has served his country at home and abroad in a distinguished way. His last camapign may have left a sour taste in your mouth, or you may think he's the greatest thing since sliced white bread, but no matter, you must agree he has been a force in this country's history since the 70's, for better or worse.

That brings me to HeyJohn.org: even if the above information is true; even if those who agree with the site's contents feel it is "respectful" of Senator Kerry; even if those who run the site turn out to be genuinely disgruntled Democrats... even if any or all those things are true, the methods employed by that site do not cut it with me. Anonymity is sometimes necessary (my first name isn't really "Totally", but for the purposes of writing here, it is), and there many perfect times and places for it. But, if you are going to use a site to call out a major member of your Party, the weight of your message would be greatly enhanced by not remaining anonymous. Also, it would be greatly more fair to the candidate and his or her supporters, to come out with your identity. I know that's a scary proposition when the person you are calling out is as powerful as Senator Kerry, who, as we all know, is blessed with an amazingly vocal and committed following here and elsewhere. But, I disagree with the anonymity. I disagree, even though, after the last election, I was quite vocal about the exact thing this site takes Kerry to task for, I said what I said as myself and took responsibility for it. I made it my business to watch what he did with that $$$, and spoke about it when I agreed or disgreed with how it was used. One way I noticed it was used was that he did give to other campaigns. I am not up on all the amounts, and as I said, if the facts of the PM are true, what I read about that has been misleading. So, I reiterate: I disagree with the aspect of anonymity in this case.

I also disgree with singling out Senator Kerry. From all I've read, Senator Clinton and Senator Bayh both have enormous war chests. Have they given to any of these close campaigns? If they haven't, where's HeyHillary.org or HeyEvan.org? Why single out one Senator only? Smacks of campaign dirty tricks, it does. "Swiftboating" is what it's called now, and I have to say, it's dangerously close to that in my mind. It's unfair. It's wrong. While I feel that all candidates with flush finances should be helping out at the moment, and those who don't are selfish (cheap, in fact), there is nothing that says this is required. So, the expectation and implication that even if he hasn't given 'til it hurts, may just be troubling, but it isn't illegal. And, a website set up to embarrass just him into contributing without the same pressure brought to bear on others who have behaved exactly as iti s said he is, is wrong. It is unfair. And, it's exactly that I can't support.

At any rate, this is a lot for us to think about. It is a modus operendi that equivocates us (in my mind, at least) with the filth of the other side. Granted it is on a much smaller scale, but it's dirty, and unbecoming to us as a Party, nonetheless. I am willing to get down and dirty with any candidate Republican or Democrat I feel is hurting this Party or this country, but I always have as many facts as I can find at my disposal first, and I always do it here and other places, where the "TC" is a known quantity. I never post anonymously.

An anonymous site, erected against a fellow Democrat -- not good. We are better than this. If you believe Kerry should give more, call or fax his offices. Bury him in letters. "DU it"! By all means, go for it. But, go after him anonymously, and you've lost me. It takes focus off the coming elections by giving the other side something else to crow about, and it's un-"Democratic", too. We Democrats should be able to arguably win the coming elections on issues and values alone, but if we get "dirty" (and sometimes, we must), shouldn't it be against the other side? Just saying.

TC




Edited because I can spell, but can't type the word "campaign".