KERRY, BUSH HAVE MILLIONS TO FUND RECOUNT

President Bush and Senator Kerry finished their primary campaigns with millions of dollars in the bank that could help cover the cost of a possible recount. Mr. Kerry had about $45 million in leftover money that he could transfer to the Democratic Party for that purpose, while Mr. Bush had $16 million that could go to the GOP, the nonpartisan Center for Public Integrity watchdog group said yesterday. In addition, Mr. Bush had about $10 million in his legal fund, and Mr. Kerry had about $7 million. Each could also raise unlimited donations from individual donors to finance special recount funds. The Federal Election Commission has not issued a formal ruling on what money presidential and congressional candidates could raise if there are recounts, but four of the six commissioners said they believe unlimited individual funds could be raised as Mr. Bush and then-Democratic rival Albert Gore did for the 2000 ballot dispute in Florida.

– Associated Press

JOURNALIST ARRESTED NEAR ELECTIONS OFFICE

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – A freelance journalist taking pictures of voters waiting outside the Palm Beach County elections headquarters was arrested after ignoring a deputy’s orders to stop, sheriff’s officials said. In response, a voting rights group sued to have a court order elections chief Theresa LePore and the sheriff’s office to allow reporters access to voters. “There is no justification for an elections official to seize authority to suspend the First Amendment of the United States Constitution,” said Ralph Neas, president of People for the American Way Foundation, the group that brought the lawsuit. James Henry, of Sag Harbor, N.Y., was charged with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest without violence. He was released on $500 bond yesterday. Sheriff’s Deputy Al Cinque tried to stop Mr. Henry as he shot pictures of about 600 people standing in line to vote Sunday afternoon. Mr. Henry began running away, but Deputy Cinque tackled him, the Palm Beach Post reported. The deputy pinned Mr. Henry, 54, to the ground, yelling for him to stop moving, then punched him in the back, according to the paper. A sheriff’s office spokesman, Paul Miller, said yesterday that Mr. Henry “tripped over his own feet” as he ran away. He was heading toward the building’s front door, and the deputy “has to use whatever reasonable force is necessary under the circumstances,” Mr. Miller said. Mr. Miller said the deputy had asked Mr. Henry to move to another area to snap pictures. “His actions were compromising the elections process and intimidating people that were attempting to wait to vote,” Mr. Miller said. “He was in their faces.” Elections chief Theresa LePore was enforcing a law that prohibits reporters from coming within 50 feet of a polling place’s front door to interview or photograph voters.

– Associated Press

NADER DENOUNCES MAJOR POLITICAL PARTIES

Independent candidate Ralph Nader, speaking over hecklers’ voices, denounced the major political parties and assured a yesterday crowd that a vote for him was not a wasted vote. “The only vote you ever waste is a vote for someone you don’t believe in,” said Mr. Nader, who spoke a block from Wall Street, across from the New York Stock Exchange. The consumer advocate used the location to highlight what he called the excessive influence of corporations over both major political parties. Mr. Nader is on the ballot in 34 states and the District of Columbia; he is a write-in candidate in Texas. Mr. Nader had to speak over hecklers who shouted “Nader is a traitor” and other criticisms. One sign read, “Vanity, thy name is Nader.” Democrats argue that Mr. Nader took votes from Vice President Gore in 2000, costing him the presidency, and they fear he may be the spoiler again today. Mr. Nader said he was the only candidate who would fight “for the sovereignty of the people over the sovereignty of the corporations.”

– Associated Press