DRUDGE: KERRY MYSTERY WOMAN DATED CAMPAIGN FINANCE CHIEF

2/16/2004 | Drudge

[mtrott]

Drudge just put this up.

XXXXX DRUDGE REPORT XXXXX FRI FEB 16, 2004 14:05:38 ET XXXXX

KERRY MYSTERY WOMAN DATED CAMPAIGN FINANCE CHIEF

**Exclusive**

A woman at the center of John Kerry intrigue dated longtime Kerry Finance Director Peter Maroney, sources tell the DRUDGE REPORT.

When pressed by media outlets in recent week, the Kerry campaign confirmed the relationship, according to top sources.

Alex Polier on Monday denied "Internet and tabloid rumors relating to me and Senator John Kerry."

Rumors swirling around Polier ignited a behind-the-scenes campaign drama.

As first reported in this space, 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, THE HILL and the ASSOCIATED PRESS, where the woman in question once worked.

TIME magazine's Tim Burger and ABC NEWS have developed intriguing elements to the case, sources reveal.

She would joke that she was dating the next president of the United States, says a source.

Polier's flippant remarks and flirtatious manner, according to friends, fueled the intrigue.

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. "This guy is going to blow up. Have you seen the NATIONAL ENQUIRER story" [on Kerry's womanizing].

The Kerry commotion is the key reason why Dean reversed his decision to drop out of the race after Wisconsin, campaign sources said.

Developing...

[Fedora]

> This one does: Report: Scandal rocks Kerry campaign
>
> A week ago, the Boston Herald's Inside Track column discussed a National Enquirer investigation on John Kerry which claimed Kerry is "an admitted pot smoker who had an eye for Hollywood honeys, namely Morgan Fairchild, Michelle Phillips and Catherine Oxenberg. In fact, Morgan and Michelle were so turned off by him, they both contributed to the other candidates seeking the nomination," the Herald stated.

Interesting detail. Here's an aside on that:

---
http://thetrack.bostonherald.com/moreTrack/insideTrack.bg?articleid=104&format=

Kerry's ex-galpals get fiscal with his opponents
By Gayle Fee and Laura Raposa
Tuesday, October 21, 2003

They say nobody knows you like your ex, so what are we to make of the fact that actresses Morgan Fairchild and Michelle Phillips, both of whom dated Sen. John Kerry, have donated dough to his opponents' presidential campaigns???

Fairchild, who is best known these days for her turn as Chandler Bing's mom on ``Friends,'' has given money to not one, not two but THREE Kerry rivals trying to capture the Democratic presidential nomination.

The star of the forgettable 1997 flick, ``Bimbo Movie Bash,'' doled out $500 to Dick Gephardt, another $500 to John Edwards and $250 to Howard Dean. Kerry got the big donut.

Meanwhile, Phillips, former crooner for the Mamas and the Papas, ponied up $250 to Dean. Michelle, mother of singer Chynna Phillips and stepmother of actress Mackenzie Phillips, has donated to President Bill Clinton and other Demmies in the past.

And although Phillips was invited to a Kerry fund-raiser in New York last June, there's no record she ever wrote a check.

Needless to say, the Dean people were gleeful at the news - particularly in light of the bumper sticker the Kerry campaign has been circulating to try to woo back Dean supporters. It reads, ``Dated Dean, Married Kerry.''

``Maybe they should consider printing a new one,'' said Dean spokesgal Dorie Clark. ``Dated Kerry, Donated To Dean.''

Ouch!

It's unclear whether the senator's ex-galpals are peeved at their former paramour or just swept off their feet by his opponents - neither returned our calls.

But we can tell you that at the time he was supposedly dating Fairchild, Kerry was also entangled with Boston lawyer Roanne Sragow. And that kind of thing can put a gal off!

Of course, the once-merry bachelor is now happily married to ketchup heiress Teresa Heinz. And his peeps had the big ``no comment'' on the donations.

File under: Give 'Til It Hurts.
---

Incidentally, this is probably just coincidence, but FWIW Michelle and John Phillips used to hang around Jane Fonda's circle of friends in Hollywood before Fonda became associated with Kerry. I remember this from reading biographies of the two Phillips and some of their celebrity friends (there's also some stuff in Roman Polanski and the Beach Boys' bios). I'm not finding a handy link that sums up the details, but here are some of the noteworthy names from Phillips and Fonda's social circle: "In '68 Michelle had a daughter by Papa John named Chynna, who herself became a popular singer in the '90s. But by the end of '68 Michelle and John had broken up for good. Michelle then took up with actor Dennis Hopper, a relationship that culminated in a disturbing eight-day marriage in '70. With the group finally disbanded, her Hollywood life took over, resulting in romantic links with Warren Beatty, Jack Nicholson, and Roman Polanski."--http://www.swinginchicks.com/michelle_phillips.htm) Again, that's probably coincidental, though looking into Fonda's activities in that time may perhaps shed some light on the context and development of the early Fonda-Kerry relationship. Does anyone know any more about who Kerry has been known to associate with in Hollywood?

[mwl1]

Reminds me of 1998... to this day I'll never forget one older man at an auto repair place blaming Moncia exclusively, irrationally screaming at anyone who would listen.

Never mind that Clinton was more than 2x her senior, was the chief law enforcement officer in the United States, and had all the power in the relationship. No, indeed, it was all Monica's fault.

RATS are insane.

[NotchJohnson]

Because it wasn't the campaign chief. She said she was dating the next president and her Father hates Kerry. Drudge may be the only one on this but he is the only one that seems to get any good stories. Picturing a 60 year old Ichabod Crane with her is ugly, yeesh.

[sine_nomine]

When Mayor Koch "dated" Bess Myerson, a Republican political expert called them the Smith Brothers. Someone asked, "The Smith Brothers?"

He said, "Yes. Two beards."

[cyncooper]

The woman's parents are republicans?

I'm going to guess the WaPo guy just made a leaps and bounds assumption based on the father being quoted calling Kerry a "sleazeball". In the mind of a liberal, criticizing a democrat = extreme right-winger. Exhibit A: Bill O'Reilly.

The parents in fact may or may not be republicans, and I'd love this guy to be asked what he makes of dear old dad switching from calling Kerry a sleazeball to admiration for the way Kerry has "handled this".

[Fedora]

Here's a potentially interesting angle on Kerry's relationship to Morgan Fairchild:

http://www.morganfairchild.com/biography.htm

Morgan is one of the original members and is on the Board of Directors of the Hollywood Women's Political Committee, a political action committee that has raised millions for liberal candidates for state and federal office. They were co-organizers of the pro-choice rally in Washington in 1989 that drew 500,000 people and Los Angeles co-producers of the Nelson Mandala dinner that raised almost $1 million on his recent U.S. tour. Whether it's appearing on "Nightline" on AIDS or CBS's "Sixty Minutes" on women's issues or testifying before the Senate on environmental causes, the public has come to respect Morgan as more than just a glamorous star.

---

http://www.eonline.com/News/Items/0,1,962,00.html

Hollywood Women Quit Political Fundraising

by Elizabeth Johns

Apr 14, 1997, 5:45 PM PT

What Hollywood giveth, Hollywood taketh away.

Calling for an overhaul of political fundraising, the Hollywood Women's Political Committee, an organization of entertainment players that has raised nearly $7 million for liberal candidates and causes, is disbanding, citing the "total corruption" of the nation's political fundraising system.

"In the last 10 years, we have seen a cumulative effect--the buying and selling of public office," says Susan Grode, entertainment attorney and former committee member. Grode says it became impossible to influence a system based on money in a positive way while helping to raise money for that same system.

The group, which boasted Barbra Streisand and Jane Fonda as members, is now asking Congress to enact comprehensive campaign finance reform. But members say the decision to disband isn't linked to President Clinton's last campaign or current fundraising woes. "If that were so, we would have done this right after the election," Grode says.

Since 1984, the organization has held fundraisers for issues like women's right to choose, as well as Presidential and congressional candidates. The organization hosted the National President's Gala last fall, which raised nearly $4 million for Clinton's re-election, and two "Take Back the Congress" events in 1996 that netted more than $300,000. In addition, Streisand's performance at her Malibu home in 1992 raised $1 million for Clinton, U.S. Senate candidates Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein and the Democratic Party.

But the nation's fundraising system is only getting worse, Grode says. "In last year's Presidential campaign, $2 billion was spent between the Presidential and congressional campaigns. If limits were put in place, that money could be going other places." The group said in a statement that the price of elections these days has alienated "the vast majority of Americans...Anyone without a personal fortune or connections to great wealth cannot be elected to public office."

By disbanding and creating a void, the organization is hoping to make politicians and the public sit up and take notice. "The system is not improving, so we saw we needed to effect change another way, " Grode says.

[sine_nomine]

I haven't read all 6,000 posts, but is this possibly a deliberate false story to kill all future bimbo eruptions?

If the Kerry people completely kill this one, any future bimbo story would need video, sound, and notarized statements.

Considering the extent of this behavior in Washington DC, conservatives would serve the cause better by emphasizing Kerry's shifting positions. When the Democrats tried to use ad hominem tactics in California, it took everyone's attention away from the issues, backfiring.

If the story is true, it does show serious flaws in Kerry. The trouble lies in pursuing the unknown when so much of the record is well known.

[cyncooper]

The father is also quoted, in the same article, as saying there was no affair between Kerry and his daughter.

Can you provide the quote you allege exists?

I believe you are incorrect.

You are thinking of the article being written to say "there is no evidence" of a relationship between Polier and Kerry. That was NOT a quote from either of her parents.

[KQQL]

Monsieur Jean Kerry

I'm an internationalist. I'd like to see our troops dispersed through the world only at the directive of the United Nations. - The Crimson 02/18/1970
A bold progressive internationalism," Kerry. - JK Website

H.R. 3396 (Defense of Marriage Act) Kerry (D-MA), Nay
Signed the Letter Backing Gay Marriage - massequality.org 07/12/02

Kerry said "I think there has been an exaggeration," when asked if the President has overstated the threat of terrorism. - SC Debate 01/29/04
Opposed the death penalty until 2002, voted against military action in the 1991 Persian Gulf war.

During the height of the Cold War, Kerry opposed the entire strategic modernization effort proposed by President Reagan; the Peacekeeper, B-1 and B-2 bombers, Trident submarine, D-5 missile, and the non-strategic modernization of the defense budget. - Washington Times 01/04

[Paulus Invictus]

I think that the gummint (Pubbies) should use the same tactics as the RATS and ask the supposed perps for dental records, time lines, travel and telephone records, DNA samples etc. and gather everything they can about this "serious allegation that needs to be clarified by a Congressional Commission." Then get as much media coverage possible, casting doubts on all findings and making new allegations.

[cyncooper]

Do you ever get tired of being wrong and not "getting it"?

I bet you have a constant buzzing in your head.

[cyncooper]

Remember, when all this nonsense came out about Bush's DUI, there was not an immediate denial on that either.

Yes, I do remember that. Evidently you do not.

The story broke when Bush was campaigning in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He emerged from a campaign rally, and was confronted by reporters. He admitted to the offense on the spot.

Um, did you have some type of point you were trying to make? Because I think you just made the point of those you disagree with.

oops

[Mad_Tom_Rackham]

6) She dated the campaign chief, but slept with Kerry.

Ouch!

Wonder if the campaign chief was angry enough to drop a dime?

[cyncooper]

Bush acknowledges DUI conviction in '76

Milwaukee (per my memory)

MILWAUKEE -- For the first time, George W. Bush acknowledged Thursday night that he was arrested and pleaded guilty to driving under the influence in 1976 in Maine.

~snip~

The 24-year-old DUI arrest was first reported Thursday by a Portland, Maine, television station, just five days before the general election.

~snip~

As I noted: Allegation and acknowledgement made on the *same day*. Not days of carefully crafted responses and hedging, but a straightforward answer to the story.

[Mad_Tom_Rackham]

It looks like the fiance might be mixed up with some high rollers (of a kind), but I don't think either he or Alex have money to burn.

Now they do.

[saquin]

And if Ketchup Boy is innocent he could've and should've put this whole mess to bed (pardon the pun) with a vociferous, concrete, ironclad denial. No way, no how, NEVER.

But he didn't do that, did he?

I thought he did. What do the words "categorically deny" and "It's not true" mean to you? How specific do you want his denial to be?

"I did not have sex with her in a bed
I did not have sex with her in a chair
I did not have sex with her anywhere "

(Apologies to Dr. Seuss)

[Mad_Tom_Rackham]

BWAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! Good one!

[mcg1969]

No, the Sun article reference on Drudge's page does not mention the TV interview at all. A different Sun article does, but not the one he's linking to now.

[Mad_Tom_Rackham]

It's a marketing ploy -- positioning themselves as (more) "fair and balanced" (than the competition). Get it?

[cyborg]

Ahhhh... okay I get it.