War Room is still a bit weary after the craziness of the last days of the presidential campaign -- but apparently John Kerry doesn't get tired. After a week off, sort of, he's still running for president. Kerry, according to the Los Angeles Times, has been "calling key Democratic donors to lay the groundwork for a political organization that would give him a voice in national politics and position him for another White House run in 2008, close associates say."
"His friends, contributors and former campaign aides say he was energized by winning almost 56 million votes -- more than any other candidate in U.S. history, except for Bush -- and intends to wield influence as the titular leader of the Democratic Party."
"Kerry confidants said in interviews Monday that key members of the campaign's finance team were planning to remain loyal to the 2004 nominee -- even as potential 2008 contenders such as Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York and John Edwards of North Carolina begin building support -- in case he decides to run."
"Those sentiments differ significantly from the attitudes expressed after Democratic losses in 1988 and 2000, when pressure mounted on nominees Michael S. Dukakis and Al Gore to step aside after what many party leaders considered error-plagued campaigns."
"'After 1988 and 2000, there was a different sort of tone in the fundraising community,' said Robert Farmer, who was campaign treasurer for Dukakis in 1988 and Kerry this year. 'They felt they had been let down. I don't get that sense now.'"
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