Kerry's long coattails await brothers in alms
28 July 2004
They're a small group, much like the better-known
brothers-in- arms who fought with a young John Kerry in
And he owes them.
Each has raised, or has the potential to raise, $1 million or more for Kerry this presidential season. Their relationship with the presumptive nominee is deeply personal, which is why they have stuck with him for decades and, especially, stood by him during the dark days of 2003 when his presidential campaign seemed doomed. That their friendship may pay off - in terms of some senior appointment in a Kerry administration - is less a testament to betting skills than it is a reflection of their loyalty.
Two of the five are well known. Lawyer Robert Crowe met Kerry more than 30 years ago and they have been close friends since the early 1980s. Political man-about-town, Crowe headed up the Commonwealth Group, a public policy and lobbying firm, and is now part of the well-connected law firm of Perkins, Smith & Cohen. Crowe has had some flirtations with controversy. Seven years ago, he resigned as Kerry's finance chair after a rash of bad press about his lobbying activities, falling on his sword rather than letting Kerry get wounded. That notwithstanding, Crowe's political savvy keeps him a key adviser. The strength of his relationship with Kerry can be seen in his newest job: vice chair of finance for the Democratic National Committee.
And if Kerry wins? Crowe (and others) won't comment, but the widespread speculation is he replaces Terry McAuliffe as chair of the DNC. Others, though, figure that Crowe's love for the hurly- burly would bring him in closer to the White House - perhaps not as chief of staff, but possibly as a key political adviser.
Second on the list is Kerry's younger brother, Cameron. A partner at Mintz Levin, another one of those Boston law firms that easily mixes law, politics and lobbying, it might be easy to dismiss Cam's long-time support of his brother as mere filial loyalty - that is, until one looks at the brothers of other prominent politicians.
Rather than assets, family members can often be liabilities: witness Billy "Beer" Carter, Roger Clinton and the troubled Wesley Blake Edwards, brother of Kerry's would-be VP.
And if Cam can't get the job of AG,
perhaps it goes to the only woman who is a member of the five: superlawyer Joan Lukey, a partner
at the old-line
Next is real estate developer Bruce Percelay.
Percelay lives in both
Six years ago, he hit a few bumps when some
That reputation could land him a spot within the Department of Housing and Urban Development, although his nonprofit work also suggests a Peace Corps-like position.
Last, although certainly not least from a money standpoint, is John "Jack" Manning, who became close to Kerry through their mutual connection to Crowe.
Manning runs Boston Capital and the
firm's far-flung real estate investments have made him rich. He is an ardent
Democrat, funding not only Kerry's career but also raising prodigious amounts
for former president Bill Clinton. Manning, many
think, would love nothing better than to be ambassador to
These five, of course, are hardly alone scrounging for the money to make Kerry's ambitions into reality. Yet they are unique in that it was as much friendship as political opportunity that has been driving them in their support.
This week, the improbable bet they made long ago increasingly seems a winner.
Should that prove the case, Crowe,