Some Dems to run away from Kerry
By Hans Nichols
A handful of House Democrats who look vulnerable in November's
election, plan to run away from their party's presumptive
presidential nominee, Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.), and will not endorse
him.
The holdouts are a minority of the 17 "frontliners" selected by the
party leadership for member-to-member cash infusions, but their
attitude reflects varying levels of comfort with how the New England
senator will play in their districts.
A majority of frontliners, including those who are from conservative
districts carried by President Bush in 2000, and have slim majorities,
plan to campaign with and for Kerry.
But, regardless of their formal position on Kerry, most vow to run
"independent campaigns."
Several lawmakers, including Reps. Rodney Alexander (D-La.), Allen Boyd
(D-Fla.), Jim Marshall (D-Ga.), Jim Matheson (D-Utah) and Dennis Moore
(D-Kan.) have told The Hill they do not currently plan to endorse
Kerry.
Alexander, who late last week denied he was considering switching
parties, wrote to union supporters, stating: "I'd like to clarify.
I will not be endorsing any candidate, including President Bush."
Moore said he is leaning against endorsing Kerry, although he does not
expect the presidential circus to run through Kansas, which Bush won
overwhelmingly.
"I don't suspect that I am going to run my campaign in accordance
with the Democratic nominee," Moore said. "I am going to run my
campaign without regard to what the nominee does. They don't have
long coattails in Kansas."
Boyd's Florida district, which Bush carried with 53 percent, is
expected to see some of the heaviest presidential traffic in the
country. But the fourth-term lawmaker told The Hill that he remains
undecided about endorsing Kerry. "At some point, we'll meet
individually," said Boyd.
"You would want to get an assurance personally on how he's going to
run," he added.
Through spokesmen, Marshall and Matheson said they have no plans to
endorse Kerry. Both Georgia and Utah are expected to vote heavily for
Bush.
House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) said: "Frontliners are going
to do what they have always done, which is run their own races to win.
"I don't think Kerry is going to play particularly well in some
frontline districts.
"[But] Kerry is going to coordinate with all of the campaigns."
Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) chairman Bob Matsui
(D-Calif.) said vulnerable lawmakers will be accorded ample leeway to
determine just how closely they ally their campaigns with the
presidential nominee.
"They are pretty much going to run their own campaigns," said
Matsui.
Echoing the hopes of some frontliners, Matsui argued that Kerry's
interest in hunting, along with his Vietnam heroism, has inured him to
charges of being soft on defense.
"He said at our caucus [meeting last Wednesday] that he intends to
campaign in the South," said Matsui.
Matsui continued: "I would be more worried if I were a moderate
Republican running with this president, who is way too right-wing."
Rep. Baron Hill (D-Ind.), whose seat Bush won with 56 percent, said:
"I've endorsed [Kerry]. He's thoughtful and he's a war hero. I
think that will help me in my district. They can't paint him as a New
England liberal."
In North Dakota, which Bush won with more than 60 percent of the vote,
Rep. Earl Pomeroy (D) has pledged to be a super-delegate for Kerry at
the convention.
In Tennessee, which analysts expect to go for Bush by a larger margin
than in 2000, Rep. Lincoln Davis (D) said he still plans to endorse his
party's nominee, touting his own record of independence. "I won't
be out-gunned, out-prayed, or out family-ed," said Davis.
"John Kerry has a pretty good record on a lot of issues, even on
states that he isn't going to carry," said Rep. Adam Smith,
(D-Wash.) an early House supporter of Kerry. "I will be a vocal
defender of John Kerry's centrists credentials."
In Iowa, which is again emerging as a hotly contested state, Kerry can
count on the support of Rep. Leonard Boswell (D). Spokesman Eric Witte
said: "They have strong personal bond and a shared history in the
Vietnam war. The congressman will do everything he can to help Kerry
carry the state and thinks he will."
The Kerry campaign did not respond to phone calls seeking comment by
press time.
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Left-wing liberals are EVERYTHING they accuse the right of being. They
are mean, vicious, hateful, greedy, cold-hearted, closed-minded,
selfish, intolerant, bigoted and racist.
Liberals HATE America!
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