Kucinich Pledges Eco-Friendly Presidency

[Nambe]

SEATTLE, Washington, July 22, 2003 (ENS)

Congressman Dennis Kucinich, an Ohio Democrat, made his first visit to Washington and Oregon as a Presidential candidate from July 18 to 20. He spoke to audiences in Seattle, Portland, and Eugene, making a number of environmental pledges.

Kucinich promised that on his first day as President, he would nullify the North America Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and U.S. participation in the World Trade Organization. He would replace them with bilateral trade agreements that repect workers, family farmers, and the environment.

Kucinich marched in the 1999 protests again the WTO in Seattle, and said then that NAFTA and the WTO represent a "global race to the bottom" that only "enriches multinational corporations."

Kucinich pledged that as President he would support the Kyoto Protocol that limits the emission of greenhouse gases responsible for global climate change. The protocol was signed by President Bill Clinton, but President George W. Bush has refused to send it to the Senate for ratification, claiming that the treaty would be too costly for the American economy. ---

Ride Don’t Drive It’s Global Cool

[Forkboy]

1. A big kick for the morning crowd

I'm liking the man more and more.

[study_war_no_more]

2. I can't understand why greens are dissing this man??

Baffled. Or Democrats for that matter.

[RapidCreek]

6. Huh?

I don't belong to anyones political team...but I gotta ask...where do you get that Greens are dissing Kucinich? I'd be very interested to read up on it, if indeed they are.

RC

[LeftHander]

9. I am on the Green side of Democrat

So far Kucinich has my support...There will be a load of Greens voting for him...based on that statement alone.

[Tinoire]

14. I think the perception that Greens are dissing this man is inaccurate

Medea Benjamin is 100% behind Kucinich and doesn't even believe the Greens should run a Presidential candidate this time in order to put their weight behind Kucinich but other Green Party officials, while very sympathetic to Kucinich, don't want to lose the momentum of their Party's growth.

They also see the evil, not as Kucinich, but as the 2-party system that offers people little choice and little choice for slow change at that.

Here's an excerpt from a Common Dreams' article that explains their perspective and I can't say I disagree from their tactical point of view.
----
Published on Tuesday, May 27, 2003 by the Washington Post
Greens Consider Standing Behind Democrats in '04
by Brian Faler

Rep. Dennis J. Kucinich (Ohio), one of the most liberal Democratic candidates, appears to have gained the most traction among the Greens. But he is considered one of his party's longest long shots -- and it is uncertain whether the Green Party would pass on its own presidential race to support someone with such a slim chance of winning.

The prevailing opinion, among the officials, is that they should run a candidate. For all their complaints with the Bush administration, many remain almost as disenchanted with the Democratic Party, complaining that it is too weak-kneed to adequately oppose the president's agenda. "We have a lot of problems with , too, just as much as we do with the Republicans," said Tom Sevigny, another party chairman. "It's not just Bush."

Then there are the more practical concerns: The party could lose its ballot status in some states if it doesn't run a presidential candidate. The public might assume the Greens' time has come and gone, without someone at the top of their ticket, and it could hurt Green candidates running for other offices.

"There's a lot of people who look at the pressure, from the Democratic Party, in particular, for the Greens not to run a candidate as being a sort of invitation to commit suicide on the Democratic Party's behalf," said co-chairman Ben Manski. "That's not something that a lot of people have a strong inclination to do."

http://www.commondreams.org/headlines03/0527-13.htm

----

And then they had that meeting/vote and decided to go ahead and run a candidate but that is the official Green Party position. I work on the Kucinich campaign for the Bay Area and about a third of the people working with me are Greens. If you do a google on Kucinich and Greens you'll find a LOT of support. Peace

[buddhamama]

16. indeed, it is inaccurate.

Greens have not attacked Dennis in the least.

they merely decided to run their own candidate for pres.

thanks Tinoire, for setting the record straight.

Go Dennis!

[DemBones DemBones]

3. KUCINICH IS THE REAL DEAL! All his positions are on target.

But for some reason a lot of people around here believe he can't win but Dean or Kerry can. This might be OK if Kerry or Dean held good positions on all major issues but they support NAFTA and WTO and have given no indication they'd 86 the Patriot Act or support the Kyoto Protocol. I want something better than they're offering. I want. . .

KUCINICH 2004

[DeathvadeR]

4. Cheers to Kucinich.

those are alot of promises. I hope he isn't another promise breaker. I will give him this at least he's addressing some big eco concerns, others rarely even mention the environment.

And I don't think greens are dissing Kucinich at all. Matter of fact I find a large portion to agree and support him and would love to have him win the presidency, but its just that we don't want to settle for another DLC candidate that sells out and doesn't have the sak to do hell of anything ya know. I think Thats why Nader will step in if it's going to be one of those pepsi/coke elections.

[Ferretherder]

5. I REALLY like what this guy is saying!

...and I truly hope that, if he were to be elected, he would, at least, TRY to impliment these badly needed measures and reforms. He would face blistering opposition from the Repugs, though - ala 1992 through 2000.

[RapidCreek]

7. thank for posting this Nambe!

I sure have allot of respect for this man....I guess I'll have to register Democrat so I can give him my vote in the primaries. Sad to say...he's the only Democratic candidate running who has inspired me to do so.

RC

[LWolf]

8. I also registered as a dem

specifically to support DK in the primary. I've been voting for 25 years, but have never registered with a political party before. Because, rugged individualist that I am, no party ever really spoke for me. Then I realized; I don't vote for repubs...what person with a social conscience could? That means I'm usually voting for dems...and here is a candidate that actually inspires me. The very first in my adult lifetime.

Let's get the word out!

[revcarol]

10. In a 14% Green area here, Greens are going overwhelmingly for Kucinich.

Volunteering,contributing, spreading the word. Some, on principle, won't switch parties just for the primary(we are an early Caucus state, FEB 3) but that isn't stopping them from working for DK.

These policies are not only good for the environment; good for LABOR and SMALL BUSINESS too.

[Fovea]

11. He will reframe the agenda, like Ailes did for Regan

The problems with America right now are greatly due to the suppression of the middle class and poor to the benefit of the UberRich.
The concentration of wealth is a medieval levels. Just substitute CEO's for Barons and the Military for the Church.

The labyrinth of lies from RoveCo is falling down around his ears. There is no time like the present to tell the truth, and no one telling it clearer than Kucinich.

[goforit]

12. With one wish......I would love Kucinich to be PRES. in 2004!!!!

He speaks from the heart.

He is the true meaning of being a MAN.

If there is a problem, he seems to be the one most ready
to achieve a solution and take action immediately!

Goodluck to Kucinich!!!

And goodluck to Dean!!!!

[duvinnie]

13. good for him

he is the most progressive candidate I have seen, and I go
back a ways.

[buddhamama]

15. Kucinich

has stood strong on labor and enviromental issues, his history of dedication speaks volumes about his character.
he is a man of his word who cares deeply about this country and its citizens.