Financial tactic could delay Kerry nomination

BOSTON — Sen. John Kerry may take the unprecedented step of delaying formal acceptance of his nomination as the Democratic candidate for president this summer in an effort to reduce President Bush's financial advantage for the general election campaign, Kerry advisers said Friday.

Campaign officials confirmed that they're actively considering an extraordinary plan under which Kerry wouldn't be formally nominated at the Democratic National Convention in late July and instead would be designated as the party's nominee weeks later, around the time of the Republican convention at the end of August.

The plan, one of several ideas that campaign and party officials said are being discussed to level the financial playing field with the Republicans, is fraught with political complications — maintaining excitement at the convention and countering Republican criticism among them — and some legal questions as well. But it underscores again the extent to which fund raising and financial considerations are driving campaign strategy in this election cycle.

Aboard his campaign plane en route to a fund-raiser in Connecticut Friday evening, Kerry declined to comment. Asked whether he would accept the party's nomination in July, he replied with a grin, "I will accept the nomination."

A Federal Election Commission spokesman, Ian Stirton, would not say whether the strategy of delaying acceptance of a party nomination was acceptable under federal election law, adding that it would be "up to the commission" to decide.

The idea was first reported by the Associated Press Friday afternoon and immediately confirmed by campaign officials. "It's something we're working on collectively with the party, and the party is committed to leveling the playing field and not fighting with one hand behind our backs," said Kerry communications director Stephanie Cutter. She added: "Nothing is final, and a lot of things are being discussed."

Republicans immediately attacked Kerry for considering the unusual idea. "Only John Kerry could be for a nominating convention, but be against the nomination," said Ken Mehlman, campaign manager for Bush's re-election committee. "This is just the latest example of John Kerry's belief that the rules are for other people, not for him."