Reply #1: Kerry-ing weight in ’08

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Kerry-ing weight in ’08

’04 nominee raising cash, consciousness for Obama
Casey Ross By Casey Ross
Sunday, February 24, 2008

Behind the scenes of the Democratic primary battle, Bay State Sen. John Kerry has become a key operative for Barack Obama, reviving his dormant 2004 presidential machine to churn out a flood of online donations and crucial support from party kingmakers.

“Since I’ve come on board we’ve obviously tried to get folks focused on trying to help him win, so I’ve reached out to the community of supporters that have been good enough to keep listening to me,” Kerry said. “I’ve asked staff people who want to help to take some time off and go to work, and we’ve tried to get people cranked up along the way.”

Despite his recent political struggles, Kerry still commands a formidable organization as the Democratic Party’s last presidential nominee and gives Obama a leg up among party activists and financiers.

Since announcing his endorsement last month, Kerry has kept a frenetic pace, campaigning in nine states and contributing to the campaign in a slew of other ways, including:

Sending 25 million e-mails to raise support for Obama, including seven messages to each of the 3 million members of johnkerry.com, his online political community

Raising $400,000 online for Obama since his endorsement

Making 47 appearances on national and local television and radio programs to speak on Obama’s behalf

Making 10 trips to campaign for Obama in critical primary states stretching from Massachusetts to California to Texas

Making 60 phone calls to urge key superdelegates to support Obama’s campaign

Kerry, who introduced Obama to the nation by giving him a key speaking role at the 2004 Democratic National Convention, sought to downplay his role in his colleague’s success. But he also noted that key members of his 2004 campaign are deeply involved in the nomination contest.

Among those working for Obama are several of Kerry’s campaign activists in California and his former Florida finance chairman, Kirk Wagar, who raised heaps of money in 2004 and is performing the same role for Obama this year. Also on the Illinois senator’s team is Alan Solomont, Kerry’s Massachusetts finance chairman, who has raised millions in 2008.

“Sen. Obama has attracted a lot of my folks from the ’04 race and a lot of my finance committee,” Kerry said. “Campaigns are a consortium of supporters. It takes a lot of them, and everything begins to build on itself.”

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