NationStates Jolt Archive

Read the bolded type to see how he broke McCain-Feingold election laws. FYI it is illegal to accept money from a minor when running for office.



Kerry speaks with MTV; Praises Eminem's song
Article by PoliticsForTeens.com

The following interview is from MTV.com. Make sure to check out MTV for more details.

Gideon Yago: Hi Senator, good to see you again. What is it you're hearing from young people on the road? What do they expect from you if you're elected president?

John Kerry: The truth, first and foremost. And secondly, a vision of the future that ... is [about] responsibility. Protecting the environment. Making college more affordable. Creating jobs that pay more than the jobs we're losing overseas. People want an honest possibility for the future. They don't want everything in their hands, but they want a clear shot. And I'm going to give them that shot.

Yago: Is there one young person you've met this year — is there one story in particular — that sticks out in your mind that really clarified an issue for you, or that you'll think about when you [reflect on] this campaign and when you're in the Oval Office legislating and leading on behalf of young people?

Kerry: The truth is there are really thousands. I have a thing called Kids for Kerry, and kids all over the country are wearing Kids for Kerry T-shirts. [There is] a 6-year-old kid in Philadelphia, his name is Winfield. He gave me a Tupperware container with 680 bucks that he raised this summer selling bracelets on the street with a little table. [He] got his 9-year-old brother to make the bracelets. And he gave me 680 bucks. I mean, that's more than some people who've been working in our democracy for 80 years have done.

I've been swept off my feet by the unbelievable commitment of young people. We're going to fix America's role in the world. We're going to restore our values and our prestige. And we're going to make the decisions that we need to to protect this planet — to protect the environment and to lead the world to a safer place. I think young people understand that we can do better than we're doing today. Period.

Yago: You said that President Bush has not admitted the mistakes he's made in the last four years. Looking back at this year, if there's one thing that you could have changed about your campaign, or one mistake that you could've fixed, what would it have been?

Kerry: Oh, there are a number of things, Gideon. I can't pick just one, because there are several. I was pretty frank about admitting a couple of them. I changed my campaign managers in mid-stream and it was risky. But I did what I had to do to correct what was happening. I've been blessed to have an extraordinary group of people come together in the end. There are times when I probably said a couple stupid things — not probably, when I have. And you wish you hadn't said something the way you said it — it just happens. But all in all, I'm proud of this campaign, and I'm proud of the people involved in it.

Yago: On Friday, the first tape in 35 months has come out from Osama bin Laden. He has been public enemy number one for the last three years. It is your first day in the White House. What do you do to catch him?

Kerry: Well, there are a lot of things I'm going to do long before day one to begin to lay the groundwork to run a more effective war on terror. We have to rebuild our intelligence structure and we have to have much better cooperation with other countries. That's the key to good intelligence, and that's the key to catching Osama bin Laden.

Yago: Last time we talked, in March, you said that it's important to listen to hip-hop because it gives you a sense of what's going on in the street. Have you heard the new Eminem song that's been out?

Kerry: You know, I heard Eminem on "Saturday Night Live" last night. I heard the song that he did. I don't know if that's part of his new [album] or not. I liked it. But that's the only thing that I've heard in the last weeks. I'm on the trail. I'm campaigning every day.

Yago: Last question: If you're elected, will you come on MTV as president and speak with young people again?

Kerry: I would love it. I would absolutely love it. I'd really look forward to it. The answer is absolutely. With pleasure.

Some of the above quotations were possibly partially derived from newswire associations including the Associated Press and Reuters. PoliticsForTeens.com prides itself in providing original journalism, but out of respect for the subjects of its stories, may need to use various sources to assure the validity of quotations and remarks. Email contact@politicsforteens.com for more information.



Nice guy. Taking money from a kid. I guess Kerry didn't get enough allowance from Teresa that week.

Just because it was given, doesn't mean it was taken. Kerry isn't a dumbass.

The key point however, is did he keep the money and use it? Possibly what might have happened, is that he gave the money to an aid to return to the mother/father.

I mean... that's what I would do... seeing how the kid worked hard and such...

If he did keep the money, or worse, the money was 'lost' before it got to the parents, then that's a different story all together now.

The key point however, is did he keep the money and use it? Possibly what might have happened, is that he gave the money to an aid to return to the mother/father.

I mean... that's what I would do... seeing how the kid worked hard and such...

If he did keep the money, or worse, the money was 'lost' before it got to the parents, then that's a different story all together now.

Why wouldn't he say that he gave it back?

Why wouldn't he say that he gave it back?

Because, from what I have seen so far of this election, he underestimates the Republican Party's ability to put spin on a single point taken out-of-context.

Why wouldn't he say that he gave it back?


Because that would not have fit the agenda for the speech … he was trying to set a feeling and direction to his speech

That section was meant to emphasize how much he is “loved”

Though I am curious as to what happened to the money lol

Because, from what I have seen so far of this election, he underestimates the Republican Party's ability to put spin on a single point taken out-of-context.


Hmmm seems to be in context (I mean it has been posted with the rest of his um ... speach) what other context do you mean?

heh heh heh...
can anyone say AUDIT???

If it was that important, then I'm sure an Audit would be done.

Hmmm seems to be in context (I mean it has been posted with the rest of his um ... speach) what other context do you mean?

The context of the whole story, and not just a five-second snippet of an MTV interview designed for those who have permanent ADD. :)

heh heh heh...
can anyone say AUDIT???

If it was that important, then I'm sure an Audit would be done.


Yikes don’t say that … just another thing to take over news stations for another month… I’m just waiting for the election to be done so I don’t have to hear about those two so much anymore

The context of the whole story, and not just a five-second snippet of an MTV interview designed for those who have permanent ADD. :)


But what if that WAS the whole interview … it may be short but it may still be its entirety … he did do the interview for them.

Because, from what I have seen so far of this election, he underestimates the Republican Party's ability to put spin on a single point taken out-of-context.
Speaking taking points out of context, you might like this cartoon:
http://www.workingforchange.com/comic.cfm?itemid=17893

But what if that WAS the whole interview … it may be short but it may still be its entirety … he did do the interview for them.

Whole STORY, not just Kerry's fast response to a fast question.

The article only said that the kid had raised the money, not that the kid had contributed it out of his own pocket. There may be a legal difference--a minor can't contribute his or her own money to a campaign, but might--and I emphasize the might because I don't know the law (and neither, I suspect, does anyone else around this joint)--be able to act as a fundraiser and/or a bundler of contributions from others.

Whole STORY, not just Kerry's fast response to a fast question.


Yes I agree that would be nice but we don’t KNOW the whole story (at least I cant find his response or a more detailed description of what actually went down) as far as I can tell that was an anecdote that he told with no more evidence one way or another.

Yes I am curious as to what the whole story is… you happen to know it? Or have a link? (I am truly curious not just being a smartass)

Whole STORY, not just Kerry's fast response to a fast question.

It's not like they cornered him. It was an open question, he didn't have to bring it up.

Yes I agree that would be nice but we don’t KNOW the whole story (at least I cant find his response or a more detailed description of what actually went down) as far as I can tell that was an anecdote that he told with no more evidence one way or another.

Yes I am curious as to what the whole story is… you happen to know it? Or have a link? (I am truly curious not just being a smartass)

*shrug* Unfortunately, I'm not. If more people react to this snippet like you do, it'll come out eventually.

Until then, a kid raised money for Kerry. *shrug* Me? I would've bought a bike.

The article only said that the kid had raised the money, not that the kid had contributed it out of his own pocket. There may be a legal difference--a minor can't contribute his or her own money to a campaign, but might--and I emphasize the might because I don't know the law (and neither, I suspect, does anyone else around this joint)--be able to act as a fundraiser and/or a bundler of contributions from others.


Legally a minors funds are actually the funds of their legal guardian (see seizure laws … I think Britney spears and some others have had previous battles with parents over money earned before 18)

So it begs the question if they were really just giving their parents money to Kerry (cause technically it would be there’s) or if the law is worded in such a way that they are not allowed to GIVE it to them (and I have a feeling that if they “earned” it, it would be counted as income before they had the chance to give it away)

It's not like they cornered him. It was an open question, he didn't have to bring it up.

Twas an anecdote. On MTV. I'm amazed at how people will clamp down like a pitbull on things like this and shake em to death.

It's like watching a crocodile eat a moose.

*shrug* Unfortunately, I'm not. If more people react to this snippet like you do, it'll come out eventually.

Until then, a kid raised money for Kerry. *shrug* Me? I would've bought a bike.


Agreed … I would have defiantly bought a bike, or like I did as a kid and put it in a bank account (couple of grand for college has been helpful throughout the years when I was in a really tight spot)

Like I said I get curious … I don’t care if it is proven or disproved just want to know :-D

Twas an anecdote. On MTV. I'm amazed at how people will clamp down like a pitbull on things like this and shake em to death.

It's like watching a crocodile eat a moose.


Mmmmmm moose! I think it is time to go to McDonalds and ask if they have a moose burger!

Legally a minors funds are actually the funds of their legal guardian (see seizure laws … I think Britney spears and some others have had previous battles with parents over money earned before 18)

So it begs the question if they were really just giving their parents money to Kerry (cause technically it would be there’s) or if the law is worded in such a way that they are not allowed to GIVE it to them (and I have a feeling that if they “earned” it, it would be counted as income before they had the chance to give it away)Your first point is absolutely accurate--and in election law, the restriction is there to keep people from using their kids and other kids as fronts for multiple donations to a candidate. But if the kid held a John Kerry fundraiser, where the money raised was earmarked for Kerry ahead of time, it could be argued that the money never belonged to the kid personally, and that the kid served as a conduit, not as a contributor. There was nothing, after all, that noted where the kid got the money from originally.

He basically didn't say anything in this interview. It was like he was there just so he act like he likes hip hop. Who really falls for political crap like this?

Your first point is absolutely accurate--and in election law, the restriction is there to keep people from using their kids and other kids as fronts for multiple donations to a candidate. But if the kid held a John Kerry fundraiser, where the money raised was earmarked for Kerry ahead of time, it could be argued that the money never belonged to the kid personally, and that the kid served as a conduit, not as a contributor. There was nothing, after all, that noted where the kid got the money from originally.

Yeah there was … if I read the article correctly he had his brother make bracelets? to sell.

As for the “conduit” he really traded his product for money and then gave it… to Kerry … if it was strait donation I could see him more as a “conduit” but he had a product … sold it … and gave the proceeds to Kerry … that kind of makes it “greyer” for me

Yeah there was … if I read the article correctly he had his brother make bracelets? to sell.

As for the “conduit” he really traded his product for money and then gave it… to Kerry … if it was strait donation I could see him more as a “conduit” but he had a product … sold it … and gave the proceeds to Kerry … that kind of makes it “greyer” for me
The question would be whether or not he sold the bracelets to people who knew up front that the money would be going to Kerry. If yes, then he's a conduit. If he earned the money for himself and then later decided to donate it, then it's a problem. My guess, assuming that the Kerry campaign kept the money, was that it was the former.

A couple of points:

First off, every major Presidential Candidate in history has had 'illegal money' make its way into their coffers... usually in the form of money put up by foreign citizens that is then donated by people here. It's just completely unavoidable. The FEC isn't even going to blink at $680.

Second as some others have already pointed out Kerry probably didn't accept the money. He could have just given it to MoveOn.org or something like that and been completely in the clear.

Reports like this one are telling us what we already knew; Republicans are absolutely terrified. In my precinct in Wyoming Michigan (extremely conservative and safe for Republicans) there was a REPUBLICAN challenger stationed at my polling place. I've never seen one there before. If Kerry wins look to see more of these pathetic attempts to discredit him in the coming days.

A couple of points:

First off, every major Presidential Candidate in history has had 'illegal money' make its way into their coffers... usually in the form of money put up by foreign citizens that is then donated by people here. It's just completely unavoidable. The FEC isn't even going to blink at $680.

Second as some others have already pointed out Kerry probably didn't accept the money. He could have just given it to MoveOn.org or something like that and been completely in the clear.

Reports like this one are telling us what we already knew; Republicans are absolutely terrified. In my precinct in Wyoming Michigan (extremely conservative and safe for Republicans) there was a REPUBLICAN challenger stationed at my polling place. I've never seen one there before. If Kerry wins look to see more of these pathetic attempts to discredit him in the coming days.Oh yeah--it's going to happen. Hell, the people on Fox's Sunday Morning show last week seemed to be laying the groundwork to blame a Bush loss on the "liberal media" in an attempt to delegitimize a Kerry presidency. That's why I'm so eager to vote, even though I live in a safe state--I want Kerry to have more than a victory. I want him to have a mandate to govern and lead. And in just over an hour, I'll get my chance to help him out.

you guys have a law that stops candidates acceptin money from kids?! (ok I don't even want to know who or how they came up with this). But I mean c'mon the kid put all that work in and I bet he felt great about doin his part to help get kerry into office (and satan out).Do you think the right thing would be to send the money back and say "thanks but we don't want it because your a kid"? . That would just make bad feelins all round. I mean it would be different if he stole the money or somthin but he done alot of work to get it. Shouldn't he use to help what he thinks is right?

Scotsman:

I agree with you and really, that's not the spirit of the law. The reason section 507 of McCain Feingold prevents donations from minors is because if it were legal, most minors would actually just be donating more money on behalf of their parents. So a Bush supporter with 4 kids could donate $10,000 to Bush under the guise that "$8000 was from my kids."

you guys have a law that stops candidates acceptin money from kids?! (ok I don't even want to know who or how they came up with this). But I mean c'mon the kid put all that work in and I bet he felt great about doin his part to help get kerry into office (and satan out).Do you think the right thing would be to send the money back and say "thanks but we don't want it because your a kid"? . That would just make bad feelins all round. I mean it would be different if he stole the money or somthin but he done alot of work to get it. Shouldn't he use to help what he thinks is right?

The law is to prevent parents as using their children to make second donations in their name. its to prevent them from being used and prevent people to donate twice as much as the other law allows

The law is to prevent parents as using their children to make second donations in their name. its to prevent them from being used and prevent people to donate twice as much as the other law allows
And everyone is concerned by a few bucks from a kid? How about the corporations?

http://ns.headroyce.org/~us_history/2003/b_br/Images/Enron-ContribFinal.gif

Now that is something that is truly scary?

And everyone is concerned by a few bucks from a kid? How about the corporations?

http://ns.headroyce.org/~us_history/2003/b_br/Images/Enron-ContribFinal.gif

Now that is something that is truly scary?

Yeah but they have laws to restrict them too and even so allowing the private donations to rise by multiplicative amount.

ok so what your telling me is that this law is here so that people can't use there kids to donate extra money BUT companys are able to donate ALOT more?
If thats the case (and I'm not just reading it wrong) then anyone who'd go to the trouble to donate usin their kids name could just as easily set up a company (like alot of people set up companies for tax purposes) and donate alot more through the company name?
so people can still donate more money than their supposed to but this little kid can't?

Yeah but they have laws to restrict them too and even so allowing the private donations to rise by multiplicative amount.
I was just trying to point out the lameness of this thread. Did Kerry admit to breaking election laws? Of course he didn't. He made a statement and the rest is up to the spin doctors.

I want Kerry to have more than a victory. I want him to have a mandate to govern and lead.Looks like he'll get neither. Broken and Done, Kerry can go back to being useless in the senate.