Kucinich medical marijuana flip flop

[ChadCoffman]

In 1998, Kucinich voted for a congressional resolution condemning voter-approved state medical marijuana laws.

Add that to his abortion flip-flop, and it begins to appear as if he is tailoring himself to appeal to the left.

Phony politician? Or newly-enlightened individual?

[Eloriel]

1. I'm not opposed to politicians who can change their minds about things

I would expect almost any human to GROW over the period of his or her life.

I'm not personally 100% comfortable with Kucinich's stated reasons for his abortion switch, but it doesn't concern me all that much since I'm not supporting him.

Eloriel

[saoirse]

6. True, but...

The timing is pretty suspect, don't you think?

I don't think for a minute that these changes are motivated by anything but politics. And it doesn't show great political instincts, either - I think people are longing for someone with some backbone, who isn't afraid to say what they think. I think that's a big part of Howard Dean's appeal - he has integrity.

Kucinich is a fine progressive voice, but he's still got some learning to do. There's nothing wrong with being against abortion - I am. But that doesn't mean I think it should be illegal. One of the keys to being an effective politician is being able to explain the nuances of your position in a way people can relate to - nobody expects, or respects, someone who tries to please everybody.

[FreedomReload]

12. Dr. Dean Corners The Market On Integrity????

Is that way he bashes the other candidates while giving contradictory answers depending on who he is talking to???? As you said:

"One of the keys to being an effective politician is being able to explain the nuances of your position in a way people can relate to - nobody expects, or respects, someone who tries to please everybody."

[FreedomReload]

2. You have the link????

I wanna see it.

[Crowdance]

3. Chad, Chad, Chad.

They are going to be ON you like flies on ----- (as my Nana used to say.) You have to know that you can't possibly talk about the record when you're talkin' about Dennis. Apparently, history started again the day he declared his candidacy; all that came before ceases to exist. Learn from my experience.....

[FreedomReload]

9. Really????

Sounds more like Clinton to me.

[DagmarK]

4. His vote for to ban flag burning really has me BAFFLED!!!

I just can't get that out of mind.

I can forgive a lot of things......but this is just a pure and simple civil rights issue.....doesn't cost money, doesn't cost lives, doesn't affect ANYONE other than a few people's distorted and insane sense of patriotism as the COST of my civil rights...and voted to ban flag burning.

It was just a vote FOR the attitudes of the radical right. How he could have voted for it and called himself a liberal is astounding.

It makes NO SENSE to me.

[REP]

10. Same Here

I am suspicious about the timing of his seeing the light about reproductive freedom - but hey, I don't care what's in his heart as long as he stops voting to make abortion illegal. Medical marijuana is a tricky issue. But vote against the First Amendment?! What the fuck was he thinking?!

I'm sure he's a decent man, but if he's the nominee, I'll have to hold my nose when I vote.

[wheresthemind]

13. Bring 'em on

First would someone like to link to this vote on Medical Marijuana and all his other votes on Marijuana related legislation? Because until someone does, the claim is unsubstantiated and any other votes he made could paint a MUCH different picture.

When he talks about his evolution from being a pro-life to pro-choice he notes several things...

• For two years he abstained from voting on abortion related legislation.

• The legislations tone changed from being about encouraging life (education, etc) to become more and more about criminalizing abortion.

• He never wanted to over turn Roe v Wade, just encourage life.

Now this seems like a perfect time to rethink a position. Now if you were a congressman rethinking an issue would you just start voting the other way immediately? No. So he abstains. During these two years, he comes to the conclusion that a women cannot truly be free unless she has control over her own body. Some even speculate his long term girl friend had something to do with his change of heart. Like many of us he does not completely believe in abortion, but believes you should have the right to have one. I think his ideas on encouraging life, and still allowing abortions to be had is RIGHT on, and sounds like a compromise he reached with himself.

I do not agree at all that his abortion switch was a political move, but one, long thought out evolution. I recommend anyone who is skeptical to talk to the guy, and ASK him. Hell, go watch these movies of him in Minneapolis (http://www.minnesotaforkucinich.com/movies.html). He is not a sleazy politicking politician guys. We have a chance for something, someone completely different.

An example of that is the vote on the flag-burning amendment. This would have been SO easy for him to manipulate, flip flop on, go with the liberal progressive way, but he DIDN'T. He voted his conscious, and this did not seem to be an easy choice for him. He respects freedoms beyond most every other candidate, but when it comes to this, he loves the flag and what it stands for, what the founding fathers intended it to stand for, etc. I can completely respect that.

I would rather have him vote his conscious, then go off politicking. This just proves he isn't a flip flopping, have to appeal to the liberals, kinda guy.

When he is right, and unwavering on so many issues, and this ONE he chooses to go with what he believes, regardless of whether or not I agree with it, I can respect it.

At least he shows up to vote! : P

[REP]

14. I Do Not Share That View

I've seen the arguments that it wasn't political expedience that changed his mind, but an "evolution" in his thinking. I still don't buy it; however, it matters little to me as long as stops voting for anti-abortion legislation. While I hope this conversion is real, I cannot trust it.

Can you explain why he has voted against the First Amendment? I don't care if he loves a piece of cloth; I love the Constitution and I have NO respect for anyone who would defile it by voting for an anti-flag-burning amendment. The First Amendment isn't to protect safe, comfortable speech; it is to protect the speech that frightens and offends. I'm sorry Dennis feels his fweelings are more important than the principles on which this country was founded. If he truly respected the founders of this country and for what they stood - and put their lives on the line - he would have cut off his hand rather than so disrespect them with that disgraceful vote.

[drdigi420]

5. im hoping he's just enlightened

But ANYTHING is better than Bush, even an actual bush.

[Rowdyboy]

7. I respect a person who matures...

I'm not a Kucinich supporter (he's way down my list) but, give him credit...he has given very progressive representation to a moderate-conservative district. He's a good guy.

[Terwilliger]

8. Neither...he's a Democrat

remember...he has a "party line" to uphold :eyes:

Dems still want to make the "War on (some) Drugs" even though they all want to smoke pot like Repukes do.

[ConsAreLiars]

11. Any honest person

can learn. I welcome DK's changing perspective. Like many truly ethical people, he's gone from seeing things in terms of "right and wrong" to "rights and wrongs." Now my own bias is toward Kerry as a pragmatist who "gets" the BFEE and has the skills needed for this war, but my respect for Kucinich's integrity is reinforced by this evidence of his willingness to grow.

(edit the inevitable typos)