Kerry Space Policy Update
In an exchange this afternoon between Fox’s ever cherubic Neal Cavuto and perennial Democratic commentator, former Dukakis Campaign Manager Susan Estrich, Cavuto noted that Kerry’s image was not affected too much “by that Willie Wonka get up”. Estrich agreed with Cavutos assessment.
Meanwhile, KerrySpace, a new space website focused on developing a space policy for the Kerry campaign, was announced in a posting by a group of Kerry space supporters.
According to the developer of the website, KerrySpace.com is also soliciting contributions. “This fund will be used to make purchases that will further our cause, such as postage and stationary to do a letter writing campaign, purchase an ad in Space News or Ad Astra to tell the space community about our group, and other ideas that are described on the website.” In addition “donations can be made anonymously by request.”
Alas, it would seem that this group is somewhat uninformed when it comes to FEC regulations about activities on behalf of a candidate – and what you have to do if you are going to raise and spend money on their behalf and how you need to document all contributors and expenditures. I tried to post something to this effect on their website, but the moderator rejected my post – twice.
When you visit this website, the first thing you encounter is a request for personal information. Once you fill that out you go to a page that hits you up for a donation. Even though there is a disclaimer that says “Contributions will be used to promote a pro-space agenda, and will not go to the Kerry/Edwards campaign or be used specifically to support the Kerry/Edwards for president.” It is blatantly obvious that this is a pro-Kerry group. Otherwise, you’d see George Bush and Ralph Nader mentioned.
Indeed, the website’s founder paints a different picture of KerrySpace on his own website i.e. “This site will be used to discuss aspects of John Kerry’s policies on space exploration and NASA”
If this is indeed not a pro-Kerry effort, then why call this thing KerrySpace?
