CAMPAIGN DRAMA ROCKS DEMOCRATS -Drudge Alert

CAMPAIGN DRAMA ROCKS DEMOCRATS: KERRY FIGHTS OFF MEDIA PROBE OF RECENT ALLEGED INFIDELITY, RIVALS PREDICT RUIN

CAMPAIGN DRAMA ROCKS DEMOCRATS: KERRY FIGHTS OFF MEDIA PROBE OF RECENT ALLEGED INFIDELITY, RIVALS PREDICT RUIN

A frantic behind-the-scenes drama is unfolding around Sen. John Kerry and his quest to lockup the Democratic nomination for president, the DRUDGE REPORT can reveal.

Intrigue surrounds a woman who recently fled the country, reportedly at the prodding of Kerry, the DRUDGE REPORT has learned.

A serious investigation of the woman and the nature of her relationship with Sen. John Kerry has been underway at TIME magazine, ABC NEWS, the WASHINGTON POST and the ASSOCIATED PRESS, where the woman in question once worked.

A close friend of the woman first approached a reporter late last year claiming fantastic stories -- stories that now threaten to turn the race for the presidency on its head!

In an off-the-record conversation with a dozen reporters earlier this week, General Wesley Clark plainly stated: "Kerry will implode over an intern issue." [Three reporters in attendance confirm Clark made the startling comments.]

The Kerry commotion is why Howard Dean has turned increasingly aggressive against Kerry in recent days, and is the key reason why Dean reversed his decision not to drop out of the race after Wisconsin, top campaign sources tell the DRUDGE REPORT.

FROM CONRESSIONAL QUARTERLY'S CRAIG CRAWFORD: 'Drudge item on Kerry intern issue is something Chris Lehane (clark press secy) has shopped around for a long time -- it was one reason the Gore vetters in 2000 shied away from Kerry as a running mate choice -- their conclusion that it wasn't bad enough to disqualify him, except for the fact that they couldn't risk it as they were trying so hard to distance themselves from Clinton's personal failings (note: Lehane worked for Gore at the time -- and briefly advised Kerry during this campaign). The Kerry camp has long expected to deal with this, and have assured party leaders they can handle it'...

Demo 'pillar' is arrested in vote fraud

A woman described as a pillar of the Democratic Party in El Paso has been arrested by the Sheriff's Department in connection with an investigation into bogus mail-in ballot requests during recent water board elections.

Sheriff's spokesman Rick Glancey said Patricia "Patty" Lee Piñon, 50, is charged with four counts of tampering with government records, each of which is a second-degree felony punishable by two to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.

Three of the counts are related to Saturday's El Paso County Water Improvement District No. 1 board elections. The fourth goes back to last year's mayoral election.

Piñon, who lives in the 200 block of South Collingsworth, was arrested Tuesday and later released on $5,000 bond.

Piñon, who is Democratic chairwoman of Precinct 81 in the Ascarate area, could not be reached for comment.

"She's been a very involved precinct chair for the longest time, and once she gets behind her candidate, she's a hard worker," county Democratic Party Chairman Rick Melendrez said. "She's a pillar of the Democratic Party.

"This is a most unfortunate situation. ... She was elected by the Democrats of her precinct. At this time, there is no reason for her resignation. Patty Lee is innocent until proven otherwise."

During the early-voting period in the water improvement district's election, the district received about 50 suspicious applications for mail-in ballots that appeared to have been filled out by the same person.

The district's interim general manager, Jesus "Chuy" Reyes, said the county Elections Department found that four of those applications were in the names of people who had been removed from the voter rolls because they were dead.

Glancey could not say whether the charges against Piñon are related to those ballot applications or to others.

A previous Sheriff's Department investigation into alleged misconduct involving mail-in ballots sent to elderly voters ended in December, when an El Paso County grand jury declined to indict two people.

That 11-month investigation began after the El Paso Times reported that elderly voters at the Chelsea housing community said their primary election mail-in ballots were taken from them, marked by political operatives and mailed.

Recalling that investigation in the context of Tuesday's arrest, Melendrez said, "I am confident that in the upcoming Democratic primary there will be no problems like this, especially the harvesting of senior citizens' votes by paid election mercenaries. Let this be a warning."

http://www.borderlandnews.com/stories/borderland/20040212-80360.shtml

Oh wow. Interns again.

CAMPAIGN DRAMA ROCKS DEMOCRATS: KERRY FIGHTS OFF MEDIA PROBE OF RECENT ALLEGED INFIDELITY, RIVALS PREDICT RUIN

In an off-the-record conversation with a dozen reporters earlier this week, General Wesley Clark plainly stated: 'Kerry will implode over an intern issue'...

Kerry commotion is why Howard Dean has turned increasingly aggressive against Kerry in recent days, and is the key reason why Dean reversed his decision not to drop out of the race after Wisconsin, top campaign sources tell the DRUDGE REPORT.... MATT DRUDGE

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