DRUDGE AT IT AGAIN... KERRY INTERN SCANDAL?
KNOCKED OUT CLINTON... MAYBE KERRY?

Matt Druge is at the forefront again... I'm sure the mainstream media will soon be all over this one (read below). Also here is WSJ's James Taranto's commentary on this:

Kerry Gets Drudged
Matt Drudge once said his material is only 80% accurate, so there's a chance this is part of the other 20%. On the other hand, the last time Drudge broke a story like this, it not only turned out to be true but led to the only impeachment of a president during the 20th century.

According to the Drudge Report, "a frantic behind-the-scenes drama is unfolding around Sen. John Kerry":

Intrigue surrounds a woman who recently fled the country, reportedly at the prodding of Kerry, the DRUDGE REPORT has learned.

A serious investigation of the woman and the nature of her relationship with Sen. John Kerry has been underway at TIME magazine, ABC NEWS, the WASHINGTON POST, THE HILL and the ASSOCIATED PRESS, where the woman in question once worked.

Drudge says the Kerry rumor is the reason Howard Dean reversed his earlier pledge to withdraw from the race if he lost Wisconsin. He also says three reporters confirm that Wesley Clark, in an off-the-record session earlier this week, declared, "Kerry will implode over an intern issue." (Though, as Editor & Publisher notes, "it would seem strange" that Clark withdrew from the race "if he really believed this.") It could cause him trouble at home, too. Last year Elle magazine carried an interview with Kerry's wife, outspoken ketchup heiress and philanthropist:

As if on cue, the topic turns to Hillary. "I don't think I could have coped so well. I would've been like psheww!" She makes a gunshot noise. "I used to say to my husband, my late husband, 'If you ever get something, I'll maim you. Not kill you, just maim you.' And we'd laugh, laugh, laugh."

By the way, check out the caption beneath the bottom photo on this page from Kerry's campaign Web site: "It's never too early to change the world--women interns are our future!"

An update on Drudge's homepage suggests this is an old story:

CONRESSIONAL QUARTERLY'S CRAIG CRAWFORD SENDS TO ASSOCIATES IN E-MAIL: "Drudge item on Kerry intern issue is something Chris Lehane (clark press secy) has shopped around for a long time--it was one reason the Gore vetters in 2000 shied away from Kerry as a running mate choice--their conclusion that it wasn't bad enough to disqualify him, except for the fact that they couldn't risk it as they were trying so hard to distance themselves from Clinton's personal failings (note: Lehane worked for Gore at the time--and briefly advised Kerry during this campaign). The Kerry camp has long expected to deal with this, and have assured party leaders they can handle it." Crawford reports that Lehane strenuously denies involvement.

The Gore campaign's purported ambivalence points to an inevitable question: Will the Dems dump Kerry if the story turns out to be true? Or will they stand behind their Clinton-era principle that a politician's private life is no one's business but his and his wife's?


XXXXX DRUDGE REPORT XXXXX THU FEB 12, 2004 11:45:28 ET XXXXX

CAMPAIGN DRAMA ROCKS DEMOCRATS: KERRY FIGHTS OFF MEDIA PROBE OF RECENT ALLEGED INFIDELITY, RIVALS PREDICT RUIN

**World Exclusive**
**Must Credit the DRUDGE REPORT**

A frantic behind-the-scenes drama is unfolding around Sen. John Kerry and his quest to lockup the Democratic nomination for president, the DRUDGE REPORT can reveal.

Intrigue surrounds a woman who recently fled the country, reportedly at the prodding of Kerry, the DRUDGE REPORT has learned.

A serious investigation of the woman and the nature of her relationship with Sen. John Kerry has been underway at TIME magazine, ABC NEWS, the WASHINGTON POST, THE HILL and the ASSOCIATED PRESS, where the woman in question once worked.

MORE

A close friend of the woman first approached a reporter late last year claiming fantastic stories -- stories that now threaten to turn the race for the presidency on its head!

In an off-the-record conversation with a dozen reporters earlier this week, General Wesley Clark plainly stated: "Kerry will implode over an intern issue." [Three reporters in attendance confirm Clark made the startling comments.]

The Kerry commotion is why Howard Dean has turned increasingly aggressive against Kerry in recent days, and is the key reason why Dean reversed his decision to drop out of the race after Wisconsin, top campaign sources tell the DRUDGE REPORT.

Developing...