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Ghosts of Iowa

BY Nancy Scola | Thursday, April 1 2010

We should probably just go ahead and completely hand this day over to April Fool's jokes, Anyway, here's one that's circulating around amongst former Iowa staffers for the 2004 John Kerry campaign, it's a (fake) note from the man himself, warrning staffers that they (again, it's a joke) are under FBI investigation for having fixed the results of the caucuses that propelled Kerry into front-runner status. One gets the sense that some of these folks are using the day to work out a little bit of held-over angst. Afterall, this was six years ago, no? A whole presidential election has come and gone.

The full email is after the jump.

Dear Friends,

I am writing to you -- my Iowa caucus campaign team -- filled with a sense of anger and regret. A few weeks ago I learned that the Iowa Attorney General's Office, working with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Iowa Democratic Party, completed an initial investigation into allegations that tabulation irregularities and official malfeasance helped secure my victory in the Iowa caucuses in 2004. Without going into the details of the report, the Attorney General's Office believes that there is sufficient evidence to justify a complete criminal investigation by the FBI into whether top officials in my campaign's Iowa organization conspired to fraudulently fix the results of the caucus. I know that this news may come as a shock to you. I felt it was important that you hear it from me first since it will become public in the next few days. Let me be clear, I continue to believe that the primary campaign we waged together was filed with purpose, integrity, and honor. Nothing that might come to light during the investigation will shake that firm belief, and I hope you feel the same. During the coming months, you may be contacted by the FBI and you will undoubtedly hear from the media. I encourage you speak truthfully and to tell the story of the Iowa caucus campaign with respect and dignity.

Sincerely,

John Kerry

(Thanks Amos Buhai)

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