Etalkinghead

John Kerry has been floating a trial balloon (or would that be “running something up the flagpole”) about the upcoming Democratic convention in Boston. In an effort to find loopholes in their very own, brand new, campaign finance “reform” laws, top Dems have been kicking around the idea of delaying Kerry’s acceptance speech in order to continue spending money that lawfully would be denied them after the convention.

By speculating publicly Kerry is just yanking the GOP’s chain, and trying to increase the audience for what promises to be a long, boring acceptance speech.

Boston Globe

The Massachusetts senator told the Globe: “One thing I can tell you is that on Wednesday night, the [candidate for] vice president of the United States will be nominated and give a speech, and on Thursday night I will give my speech.”

Asked if it would be a nomination acceptance or merely a party address, Kerry winked and leaned back in his seat as his campaign charter jet flew from Hanscom Field to Dulles International Airport outside the nation’s capital.

A couple of groups have indicated that there would, at the very least, be legal questions if he delays.

Representative Martin T. Meehan of Lowell, a fellow Democrat and coauthor of the country’s new campaign finance law, agreed that the $15 million is at risk. “The question is whether it could be made up in private contributions,” the congressman said.

$15 million is not something that would really be put at risk by a candidate that is already at a disadvantage when it comes to funds raised. In addition it would create the view among even the non-politically-obsessed public that Kerry was willing to use even the most questionable strategies in order to win. He’s not going to do it.

It’s actually the first subtle thing I’ve seen Kerry do in this campaign. He gets to poke the GOP anthill with a stick and watch the chaos which ensues, and he creates some buzz around a near non-event; his acceptance speech.

Of course if I’m wrong, and he does delay his acceptance, does that mean Kerry is willing to use even the most questionable strategies in order to win?