The publics right to salacious detail...

[The.Duke]

PHOENIX, Ariz. (Reuters) - Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry (news - web sites) on Tuesday rejected any suggestion that he release records of his 1988 divorce, calling it old history that had nothing to do with anyone else.

"I have no intention of doing that at all," Kerry said during a campaign stop in Phoenix, Arizona, when a reporter asked if he would release the papers from his divorce from his first wife Julia Thorn.

In a U.S. senate race in Illinois, Republican candidate Jack Ryan quit his campaign last week after the Chicago Tribune and other media sued to have his sealed divorce records made public.

The papers revealed that his ex-wife had accused him of asking her to have sex with him in front of strangers at a club.

Kerry, who will try to unseat President Bush (news - web sites) in November, said there was no reason for him to release his divorce records.

"It's history, ancient history. My ex-wife and I are terrific friends, very proud of our children. We have stayed close through those years as an extended family," the Massachusetts senator said, adding, "It's none of anybody's business, period."

Kerry is now married to Teresa Heinz Kerry.