When asked, the Kerry campaign insisted that Kerry was going to "pay off the mortgage himself."

Looking at the math involved in paying off a $6 million loan over 30 years with a 5% interest rate (which would be a very favorable rate), the monthly payment with principal and interest would be $32,209.30, or $386,511.60 per year.

Next I checked Kerry's 2002 tax return. It showed an income of $144,091. By using his entire Senate salary Kerry still comes up short of the yearly motgage payment by $242,420.60.

If Kerry is to keep his promise of "paying the mortgage himself" then he has to win the election. As president, his yearly salary would be $400,000. With that he can pay the Boston home mortgage himself and have about $13,000 left over to buy presents for family and friends. The added advantage for Kerry is he won't have to borrow money from his wife to pay the bills!

Now you know the real reason Kerry is running for president! It's all about paying the mortgage.