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Copyright © 2003 Express Publishing Inc.
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Wednesday, July 21, 2004

News

Blaine Dems raise $300,000 for Kerry-Edwards

Heinz Kerry delivers inspirational speech at Saturday event


By GREG STAHL
Express Staff Writer

A Blaine County presidential fundraiser on Saturday was the largest Democratic money-raising event the state of Idaho has ever had.

The event, featuring potential first lady Theresa Heinz Kerry, raised more than $300,000 and was attended by more than 350 people from all over the state. The clouds in an otherwise rainy week parted for the afternoon as supporters of Sen. John Kerry for president streamed into the back yard at a north Ketchum home.

"They came from Sandpoint to Idaho Falls, all over the state. It was fabulous," said Alan Blinken, who hosted the event at his home, not far from where Heinz Kerry also owns a home.

Blinken, a former New York investment banker and the Clinton administration’s ambassador to Belgium, said Heinz Kerry spoke for about 40 minutes.

"She had a conversation with the people," he said. "She just went over everything, her life, her beliefs, John’s beliefs. It was just a far-ranging, quiet talk in the aspen grove here."

The press was not invited to attend the private function, and security was tight. Blinken said about 35 local volunteers helped pull it off.

Meanwhile, Teton County, Wyo. Democrats raised $410,000 for the Kerry-Edwards campaign last week, doubling that state’s previous fundraising record. About 150 people attended the fundraising event held at a private home in Jackson.

Back on home turf, Faith Wellman, the Blaine County coordinator for Kerry’s campaign, said Heinz Kerry’s talk on Saturday was moving.

"It was very inspirational and very positive in light of all the rhetoric we hear today," Wellman said. "It was really very heartfelt. I think she was able to do that because she’s got a connection to this community. It wasn’t just a whistle stop and another piece of chicken. It was a lot more personal than that, and it touched me."

Idaho Democratic Party Chair Carolyn Boyce called the fundraiser "great" and "beautiful." She said the event brought to light the intense commitment many Democrats have to trying to elect a new president.

"This time, there’s a real commitment to electing John Kerry," she said. "There’s an energy we haven’t seen in a long time. Democrats really believe this is the most important election in at least a generation. They really believe that. There were people there we haven’t seen in a long time, and they were writing checks."

Blinken said he was surprised a number of Republicans attended.

"It shows something’s going on," he said. "I’m sure the Republicans are unhappy with budget deficits. They’re unhappy with the war. I’m sure they’re unhappy with the direction this administration has gone."

Blinken said the values Heinz Kerry talked about were not specific to Idaho.

"They’re Idaho values, but they’re national values," he said. "These are the kinds of things people here are concerned about."


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The Idaho Mountain Express is distributed free to residents and guests throughout the Sun Valley, Idaho resort area community. Subscribers to the Idaho Mountain Express will read these stories and others in this week's issue.





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