AP: Kerry Pocketed Speaking Fees (from big oil, tobacco, the liquor lobby)

[Timahoe]

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/politics/wire/sns-ap-kerry-speaking-fees,1,5459452.story?coll=sns-ap-politics-headlines

AP: Kerry Pocketed Speaking Fees
By JOHN SOLOMON

12:27 AM PST, February 9, 2004

WASHINGTON — Back when federal lawmakers legally could be paid for speaking to outside groups, John Kerry collected more than $120,000 in fees from interests as diverse as big oil, tobacco, the liquor lobby and unions, records show.

Between 1985 and 1990, Kerry's first five years in the Senate from Massachusetts, he pocketed annual amounts slightly under the limits for speaking fees set by Congress. Unlike many colleagues, he donated a speaking fee to charity only once, according to annual financial disclosure reports reviewed by The Associated Press.

One of the companies to pay Kerry $1,000 for a speech in 1987, Miami-based Metalbanc, was later indicted, along with two executives, on charges it helped the Cali drug cartel in Colombia launder money in the United States. The charges eventually were dropped because the firm was defunct.


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[Mountainman]

1. So what are we supposed to do with this information?

It doesn't seem to me that this rises to the occasion of lying to get us into a war. I'll still vote for Kerry because I'm sure he can beat Bush.

[Timahoe]

3. He's not as bad as Bush

My next door neighbor could do a better job than Bush. That doesn't mean we should vote for him.

Not when we still have legitimate options like a successful governor and successful general.

What has Kerry ever succeeded at that wasn't handed to him on a silver platter?

I'm ABB, but also ABK until he has 2,100 delegates. It isn't too late.

[BruinAlum]

2. Looks pretty benign to me

Were you hoping for outrage?

[wyldwolf]

4. Back when federal lawmakers legally could be paid....

that is LEGALLY.

This story means nothing to me.

[DemBones DemBones]

5. So, Kerry did something that was legal?

What's the story? People who give speeches are customarily given speaking fees. Kerry gave speeches. People gave him speaking fees. It was legal at that time for federal lawmakers to accept these fees, so Kerry accepted them.

"Unlike many colleagues, he donated a speaking fee to charity only once, according to annual financial disclosure reports reviewed by The Associated Press. "

So? What was his net worth in 1985-90? This was before he married Teresa Heinz, heiress to the Heinz fortune. Kerry was new to Washington, which presumably involved the purchase of a second home. He had young children at the time and I've read something about his first wife being unable to care for the children due to illness. Perhaps he actually needed the money?

"One of the companies to pay Kerry $1,000 for a speech in 1987, Miami-based Metalbanc, was later indicted, along with two executives, on charges it helped the Cali drug cartel in Colombia launder money in the United States. The charges eventually were dropped because the firm was defunct. "

So? Is he alleged to have known that the firm had drug ties?

[AnnitaR]

6. Enjoy being the front-runner Mr. Kerry.

Hope you can handle it.

Taking money from tobacco and big oil... two of my favorite groups. Such nice folks they are.

[gottaB]

7. Splendid News

I'm glad to learn that John Kerry made an honest living from his oratorical talents. This should put an end to aspersions about him being a kept man.

Did Kerry tell Metalbanc that drug dealing, money laundering and criminal conspiracies were laudable or acceptable in any way? As long as he didn't encourage them in their misdeeds, he may be a peg up from some of the Enron pundits.

[displacedtexan]

8. A thousand bucks earned legally? Can Bush* make that claim?

Nice try.

[dsc]

9. wow

the reaction to this vs the reaction to governor Dean making much less than this doing the same thing is utterly different. Gee, I wonder why.

[Timahoe]

10. double standard

one for Gov. Dean and one for Mr. Kerry.

[TexasSissy]

11. As Clark supporter, I'm okay w/this about Kerry. He was only making

about $75K a year (not much for a federal congressman), so getting another $25K a year through speaking engagements seems perfectly fine to me. It was legal, and there has been no evidence that I've seen or heard indicating he cast any particular votes for the groups in payment of the speaking fees. The fees were warranted by the speeches themselves, so that was the "payment," not a vote on a bill.

This is a non-issue to me.

The article also states that Dean got speaking fees from groups while he was governor, and Clark got lots in speaking fees after retirement (although Clark was not a public official, so that is different, anyway).

[MaddogTerp]

12. Bushie Lite....

Kerry, Bushie, difference?

Whether this is legal or not, it doesn't pass the smell test. If it stinks like a rotten fish, it's probably a rotten fish, and it will probably leave a bad taste in your mouth, even if its actually legal.

We need Dean and/or Kuchinich!!!