Kerry Leads in Raising Money For Democratic Candidates

John Kerry fought Richard Nixon in the Vietnam era, but he might be imitating him in one way politcally. Just like Nixon, who came back from a narrow defeat to later become President, Kerry is obtaining the support of party members for a future run with his assistance in fund raising. Roll Call reports:

Since losing to President Bush, Kerry’s political action committee, Keeping America’s Promise, has given about $1.2 million to candidates, far more than the leadership PACs of Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.), former Senator and Kerry’s 2004 vice presidential running mate John Edwards (D-N.C.), Sen. Evan Bayh (D-Ind.), or any of the other potential White House hopefuls.

Using his federal campaign account, his old presidential primary account and his e-mail list, Kerry has donated, raised or helped Democrats collect more than $7.5 million since November 2004.

“Give me five more John Kerry’s,” says Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chairman Rahm Emanuel (D-Ill.). “He’s a fighter, and he puts his money where his mouth is.”

He cut $1 million checks to the Democratic National Committee and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee from funds left over from his presidential primary account shortly after losing the presidency. He gave the DCCC $500,000.

Kerry’s advisers speak regularly with DCCC and DSCC officials before he decides which candidates to help.

Kerry considers a number of factors. Veterans, especially of the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts, are a high priority for him, Geisser said. So far, the decorated Vietnam War veteran has helped nine vets launch challenges to GOP incumbents this cycle.

Geisser said Kerry has also “sought to help Democratic challengers and incumbents who are in key competitive races that have the potential to determine the outcome of the national elections in November.”

Kerry’s involvement can help land a previously low-profile House candidate on the national stage.

A Kerry e-mail “has the ability to transform an election,” said Jenny Backus, a Kerry consultant. “Not everyone knows who Rahm and [Senate Minority Leader Harry] Reid are; they all know who John Kerry is.”

Kerry, whose fourth Senate term expires in 2008, has said he will announce by the end of the year what his political future holds. By staying so active and visible and reaching out to so many potential officeholders, Kerry appears to be laying the groundwork to seek the presidential nomination again. . .

National Guard veteran Tim Walz, who is hoping to knock off Rep. Gil Gutknecht (R) in Minnesota’s 1st district, which favored Bush over Kerry 51 percent to 47 percent, would have no qualms about making a public appearance with Kerry, according to his campaign.

“He’s very popular here,” said Walz’s campaign manager, Kerry Greeley. “ We’re talking about bringing him to the district; we certainly would like to have him come.”

JohnKerry.com channeled $25,000 to Walz’s upstart campaign.

One longtime national Democratic operative not affiliated with Kerry who did not want to be named said Democratic candidates, even those in Republican territory, have less to fear about being seen with Democratic surrogates than in years past.

“I think Republicans have more to answer for than our guys this time,” the source said.

A longtime Democratic operative in Washington state said that Kerry is politically savvy enough to steer clear of some areas.

“He knows where he’s helpful, and he knows where he’s not,” the source said. “He’s not going to put his arm around a candidate in [conservative eastern Washington], for example, but he’ll raise money for that candidate.”