While Some Democrats Cancel Fundraising Events with Kerry, Cantwell Remains “Silent” on Kerry’s Remarks and Money Raised at Seattle Event


Seattle – While numerous Democrats distance themselves from Sen. John Kerry’s remarks about the troops in Iraq and cancel fundraising events, Sen. Maria Cantwell continues her silence over Kerry’s derogatory comments and counts campaign cash raised at yesterday’s Seattle event with Kerry. “Senator Cantwell’s silence is deafening,” said Washington State Republican Party Chairman Diane Tebelius. “Her response to all this is to count the money and go hide.”


“Hillary Clinton says John Kerry’s remarks were ‘inappropriate,’ while Maria Cantwell remains silent,” said Tebelius. “In Tennessee Democrat Senate candidate Harold Ford, Jr. calls on John Kerry to apologize, while Maria Cantwell remains silent. In Montana Democrat Senate candidate Jon Tester says Kerry ‘owes our troops and their families an apology – while Maria Cantwell remains silent.”


In contrast national outrage by Republican leaders and Senate candidate Mike McGavick has been swift and clear on the issue – John Kerry owes an apology to our brave men and women in uniform fighting terrorism in Iraq. “Maria Cantwell should have done the right thing and cancelled her fundraising appearance with John Kerry on Tuesday in Seattle,” said Tebelius. “Instead, she took the cash, and hid behind her campaign staff.”


Tebelius said that a number of Democrat candidates had cancelled fundraising events with Kerry; including Pennsylvania gubernatorial candidate Bob Casey, congressional candidate Bruce Braley in Iowa, and congressional candidate Tim Walz in Minnesota.


You may view the comments on YouTube.com at the following link, or access NBC news video at the following link:


(NBC 4's Website, www.nbc4.tv <http://www.nbc4.tv/video/10195506/index.html> Accessed 10/31/06)


Click here to watch Sen. John Kerry (D-MA) belittle U.S. troops: <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vLuMWiQ6r2o>


“Apparently, John Kerry thinks our men and women in uniform fighting in Iraq are uneducated losers and Maria Cantwell stands by Kerry’s side to fill her campaign coffers and says nothing,” Tebelius said