WASHINGTON – In what would be an unprecedented move, John Kerry is considering delaying his acceptance of the Democratic nomination so that he has more time to spend his campaign cash and can trim President Bush’s financial edge.
Both Kerry and Bush are set to receive $75 million in federal matching funds after they’ve accepted the nominations at their party conventions, signaling the official start of the general election.
But Kerry’s Democratic convention in Boston is earlier than Bush’s, meaning he would have to make the same amount of money last a month longer than the president. The Democratic gala is at the end of July, and Bush’s Republican convention in New York is at the end of August.
Kerry wants to delay his formal acceptance of the nomination so that he can spend his primary money right up to Sept. 1, the legal deadline, just like Bush.
“We are looking at this and many other options very seriously because we won’t fight with one hand behind our back,” Kerry spokeswoman Stephanie Cutter said.
It’s unclear how the nomination delay would be done. One campaign expert said the Democrats, after the delegates are counted, could make a motion to table to nomination until late August and then reconvene an informal convention for Kerry to accept.
The Republicans said Kerry’s move appears to be “legal gymnastics” but not necessarily illegal.
“Only John Kerry could be for a nominating convention, but be against the nomination. This is just the latest example of John Kerry’s belief that the rules are for other people, not for him,” Bush campaign manager Ken Mehlman said.
A flood of cash contributions has Kerry’s team looking at the new strategy.
April, in which Kerry hauled in $30 million, was the second straight month that Kerry out-raised Bush.
But despite the recent surge by Kerry, Bush has much more cash on hand – $72 million to Kerry’s $28 million – and for the past several weeks has focused on collecting money for other party candidates, not his own campaign.