Smoking Gun story on Hotel riders for Sen. Kerry & THK

[TayTay]

Ahm, geez, Ray, I think I will have to rethink what I serve on that imaginary dinner. Turns out the Senator hates celery.

This stuff is kind of fun:

http://www.thesmokinggun.com//archive/0327061kerry1.html

Someone on GD will want to make something out of it. It's innocent. So was the VP's last week. But, it's nice to have the complete and full story out there. (If only the war had this much scrutiny, sigh!)

[karynnj]

1. Actually the 2 documants seem to serve different purposes

Most of Kerry's seems to be to help the advance team get them food. Given their scedules, they likely had to have someone get food for them. Otherwise, their requirements seem reasonable - and for many things, if possible was added.

They really do a lot of healhy food. It also said "no chocolate", for the time being. I wonder how long that lasted!

[Mass]

2. Interestingly, the GD thread understands that for JK, but some

THK bashers seem to think she was unreasonnable (not sure why).

[karynnj]

4. That's weird as she really is not asking for anything strange

The only unusual thing she wanted was flax bread, which they noted they had to bring. Clearly they asked her, so someone could get her food when it was clear she was too busy to get it herself. Neither one seem all that fussy - Kerry had health issues to worry about - but it would seem that getting either of them something on the list shouldn't be difficult.

[TayTay]

7. My daughter is 'going vegan.' I just picked up flax seeds

at the local supermarket for her. (In the whole foods aisle.) It was no big deal and easily available in the store. (I am not vegan. It is my understanding and I could be wrong that flax seeds can be used in place of eggs in some recipes.)

I thought this was fairly mild. Again, I would now like to re-answer the 'what would you serve for dinner' question from Ray's questionnaire of the weekend. (LOL!)

Well, that plus he drinks that Boost stuff for weight maintenance. (Life is so friggin unfair.)

[ginnyinWI]

12. maybe just during the campaign

I wouldn't think he'd need it normally, with reasonable access to food and rest! :)

[karynnj]

13. I bet you're right

Also, remember they were voted as the nicest in Iowa by the hospitality industry people. So, these were obviously preferences so Kerry staff knew what to get or ask for - and they were likely reasonable in accepting things.

The whole tone of the memo is just professional and polite. Cheney wastes energy by insisting the lights be on - what's with that? That's weirder than Kerry's whole list.

[TayTay]

3. I completely agree

This is more of a well-done advance sheet for staffers. This is what they are supposed to do. Most of the stuff listed is readily available and it should have been no problem to arrange it, given that the work was pre-arranged.

It's always interesting to see what other people like or don't like in terms of food and common arrangements. It's also kind of creepy, in that this is hardly 'need to know' stuff. It's just trivia. I can never decide if this is fun to know or sort of an invasion of privacy. (I mean, how to solve global warming, it's not. It's just trivia. On the other hand, I did read it. Sigh!)

[karynnj]

6. Wasn't there a 2004 article where Marvin spoke about

what he would get Kerry for meals? It wasn't all that different than that. There's nothing strange or unreasonable.

[sandnsea]

27. Right, it's not a rider

I think this goes to local organizers, it's not an event or hotel rider. Two totally different critters.

[fedupinBushcountry]

5. They should get the list

of what the media wanted at each event. I worked behind the scenes at one event preparing for the media, they were treated like royalty and everything had to be perfect.

[MH1]

8. Heh, you should suggest that.

That would be some real "balance."

[wisteria]

9. That was fun to read. It is nice finding out things you don't know

about the both of them. What's with the pancakes and sausage if they can be served hot? Was that for when Teressa wasn't there? He sneak in something good, but not to good for you?

[TayTay]

10. I seem to recall that the Seantor had a big breakfast

But I don't recall where I read/saw/imbibed it from in '04. (Sometimes this stuff just blends all together in memory.) Maybe it was that Times/Discovery Channel series on staffers? Anyway, I think he eats a big breakfast. (And has a problem maintaining his weight. Okay, I ate one of thos erubber chicken meals in NH a couple of weeks ago, so I get that sometimes the food just sucks. But life is unfair.)

[Luftmensch067]

11. I'm more interested in how TSG got this!

I agree, the thing is harmless and even interesting and fun, but this bit of the TSG intro caught my eye:

The riders for Kerry and Teresa Heinz Kerry were compiled during the last presidential campaign and were circulated by the Democratic candidate's advance team, a member of which provided them to TSG. The documents (one is actually labeled "Confidential")...

This seems to me more of this staffers who don't know what "loyal" or "discreet" mean pattern. I mean, this info is harmless, but why would you leak it to TSG at all? I just hope whoever leaked it was NOT the poor person who issued the rider and whose name and email address are still at the top of the second page!

[whometense]

14. I really enjoyed their

"no french water" rider. :D

[Blaukraut]

15. This is not unreasonable at all

It shows a well-prepared staff, JK's and THK's health- and ecology conscious food- and beverage choices, and mindfulness of travel fatigue (energy boosters and exercise equipment).
What it also tells me is that while none of those foods should be unreasonable, and should be readily available and affordable for all people, sadly, they are not. Healthful foods are extremely costly, as I witness every time I go grocery-shopping. Prices have gone through the roof in the last 5 years. But that's just an aside - something that I was reminded of after reading the article.

[wisteria]

16. Your right on the costs of healthy foods. Fresh fruits and vegetables

are very costly and if you through in some power bars or good cuts of meats,well you could go broke paying for it all. I often have to rely on the Peter & Paul method of payment so that my family and I can eat healthy.

[ProSense]

17. OMG!

People must be hard up for news! Anyone who travels frequently and ever experienced being limited by the choices offered, prepares ahead of time. I remember when I had to take a few week-long trips for several years. I was always wondering what was going to be available. The executives and the really picky employees at every level always prepared ahead.

In terms of healthy foods (any healthy foods): I have a gift certificate to Whole Foods, I'll be lucky to get more than two types of vegetables.

Anyway, this is fascinating to know about JK, but in the news? Here is the story (rated 1 star) at MSNBC:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12036619/from/RSS/

[TayTay]

18. It's only out there because the Cheney one came out.

It really hasn't generated much interest at DU. Everyone seems to think it's a reasonable list.

[Mass]

19. Here is the write-up by AP - Sen. Kerry More Demanding Than Cheney?

http://cbs13.com/topstories/topstories_story_086140611.html

Apparently, the news are scarce.

[saracat]

22. Apparently noone considered that Kery was on a special diet

after his cancer treatments! That was why no chocolate or tomatos and things kept light!

[Island Blue]

25. Exactly what I was thinking.

I'm sure the Boost is also on the list for that reason, as is the need for a recumbent bike rather than a regular stationary bike - easier for sitting, especially when recovering from that type of surgery. Overall, I see nothing excessive on either list.

[ginnyinWI]

24. or they've been scared away from all of that "bad news" out there. n/t

[MH1]

20. I think it's hillarious that it's rated 1 by 118 users

when I just saw it now.

Apparently most people have the same reaction - WTF are you wasting server space with this for?

:rofl:

(Actually I thought it was slightly cute on TSG. But MSNBC and AP? Come on!)

[TayTay]

21. Wonkette found it dull

and kind of reasonable. Apparently it's not really funny or extreme enough for Wonkette to come up with anything to make fun of. Yawn.

[whometense]

23. That's the first time in my recollection

that Wonkette has actually been reasonably nice to JK. I wonder if that's a good or a bad sign??

link for the curious: http://www.wonkette.com/politics/riders/john-kerrys-rider-not-as-hilarious-as-it-should-be-163214.php

[rox63]

30. During the 2004 campaign

The original Wonkette thought Kerry was semi-hot. Don't know about the new one, since I haven't checked the site in a long time.

[_dynamicdems]

38. The new Wonkette is actually two guys, so let's hope they don't think

JK is hot. :D

[TayTay]

39. Are we not Democrats?

Why would this be a bad thing? Doesn't bother me. Probably wouldn't bother the Senator either.

[sandnsea]

26. I think this goes to campaign staff, NOT the hotel

This doesn't look like a hotel rider, which is what Cheney had. This looks like a document that goes to the local campaign people to help them get things ready. A hotel or event rider REQUIRES specific foods and amenities. This just makes suggestions when local people make travel arrangements.

[globalvillage]

28. Ya know...

even I'm not interested.

Except for the celery thing, which I find fascinating. I actually have a celery story (I assume most folks don't).
The rest seems like an intrusion.

[GRLMGC]

29. Tell us the celery story!

:)

[globalvillage]

31. It's not a great story.

My SIL and I had an argument once about how anyone could hate celery. The details are not important, but it did get rather ugly.
My position:
Celery is a rather benign vegetable, not one to either like or dislike. More or less a container for dip, cream cheese or peanut butter. Or something to make potato salad crunchy.
My SIL argues that it is stringy and not worth the inevitable flossing.
Although I typically trust the Senator's judgement and tend to give him the benefit of the doubt, I can not go along with his stance on this veggie.
That said, although I refuse to join the JK "I hate celery" camp, I will make an attempt to temper my animosity toward celery haters, and try to be a bit more tolerant of one's right to dislike the vegetable of his or her choosing.
I will not, however, apologize to my SIL under any circumstance.
And I know she's going to call me on this.
:-)

[GRLMGC]

32. I like celery

I don't really know why since it doesn't have much flavor. I guess I like things with no flavor sometimes, haha

[TayTay]

34. I like celery.

It's satisfyingly crunchy and you get to fill it with dip and olives and stuff. I like that.

Didn't Bush I declare broccoli to be vegetable non grata during his term in the WH?

[emulatorloo]

35. Love it raw, hate it cooked - so I can see both sides of yr argument!

Raw and crispy it is great. Cooked it is just dreadful, a horrible filler in recipes.

[ray of light]

33. I'lll eat his portion. I love celery!

P.S. Nolie is a vegetarian (mostly) too. But not a vegan.

[emulatorloo]

36. and give me a side of that salad WITH LOTS OF GARLIC!

That was my favorite part of the list.

[TayTay]

37. I liked that too!

Bold move for someone on the campaign trail

[ray of light]

40. Well, the ironic thing in that game is...

I thought someone was gonna suggest nuts for dessert.

[BlueIris]

41. Well, I just want to make out with him MORE now.

And Mrs. Kerry? I can't drink water that isn't bottled or osmosis-filtered, either, so I feel you there. It's clear you both just have excellent taste, so to speak.

[karynnj]

42. Just covered on the Abrams report

Very sarcasticly, but with some gorgeous Kerry and Teresa footage (Springsteen too)

He did say that Kerry's were suggestions, unlike Cheney's and they said Thank you. Oddly, he showed parts of the memo - with things like "we'll have to bring that" - clearly showing anyone with a brain that it was staff to staff. He made fun of the no celery and especially the no tomato products - referencing Heinz Ketchup. He also made fun of the bicycle and said Kerry might have lost because of the pay for view movies. (He came to the conclusion it would be easier to be with Cheney - obviously forgetting the obvious downside.)

The footage though was Kerry hugging Teresa, then waving to a crowd. Both he and Teresa looked great and happy - odd that it was nicer footage than I saw in 2004.

[Island Blue]

43. Do these people really lack the brain cells to figure out

that some of Kerry's special requests were made because he was recovering from prostrate surgery at the time? It's so very obvious. I really didn't pay attention to Darth Cheney's list, but I'd imagine some of his special requests are due to his health issues too.

The news media should really stick to covering um, what's it called? Oh yeah, NEWS!

[karynnj]

44. I really hope someone gets that word out

After all there's a dead give away when it says "for the time being." Also by 2004, Kerry was photographed eating chili at one of the fire houses - which would have tomato and is spicy.

Cheney's weren't health - he wanted the lights on when he came - Too bad we didn't know this in 2004 -Can a man protect the national security if he's afraid of the dark. He also wanted extra lamps. He wanted the TV tuned to Fox news. He wanted the coffee brewed and in a vaccum carffe.

The difference is Kerry's asked nothing of the hotel - other than an exercise bike if it was available - and for then to approve the TV and phone charges ahead of time. All the food stuff was for the staff and didn't seem all that bad.