[tomahawk]

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...

[tomahawk]

This story isn't going away.

The question is, what really happened?

Something, but what?

[Bluntpoint]

My wife jokes she married the human tripod.

Most don't believe her either.

[Hon]

Peter Maroney, Kerry finance director. Maroney honed his skills under fundraising whiz and Democratic Party boss Terry McAuliffe. His resume includes stints with House Minority Leader Richard Gephardt and Rep. Joe Kennedy.

http://www.usnews.com/usnews/politics/whispers/archive/july2001.htm

[saquin]

A woman at the center of John Kerry intrigue dated longtime Kerry Finance Director Peter Maroney

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.

Sounds to me like the young woman had an affair with someone close to a powerful person and decided to embellish it for fun. In the absence of any credible proof that the person she had the affair with was actually Kerry, this story is going nowhere.

[TC Rider]

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

OMG, she was dating algore?

[lonevoice]

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

Developing...

Developing what, Matt? This is just getting too strange. Clark's comment was about an intern. Polier was never an intern. Matt's original rumor was that Kerry had an affair with this mystery woman. Now Matt is saying she had an affair, not with Kerry, but with Maloney. Who cares? (Other than Mrs. Maloney, if there is one?)

Is this really Matt's idea of a big scoop? I don't get it.