Daily Democrat: A positive discussion about Dennis Kucinich

[Skinner]

In an effort to provide for some enlightening discussion, rather than partisan flaming, the administrators have decided to post regular threads about the candidates for the Democratic nomination which are reserved for positive discussion only. These threads will be called the "Daily Democrat".

Currently, we intend to post two Daily Democrat discussion threads per day. If a particular thread becomes too long, then the moderators will open additional threads as necessary. These discussion threads will be allowed to stay open until the next two Daily Democrat threads are opened at some point the following day.

THE RULES

The rules for these Daily Democrat candidate threads are as follows. (For the purposes of these rules, the candidate who is the subject of the thread is referred to as the "Daily Democrat".)

1. You are welcome to post anything positive about the Daily Democrat. You can explain why you support that person. You can dispel myths about that candidate. You can discuss that person's positions on various issues. Whatever.

2. You are allowed to favorably compare the Daily Democrat to other candidates, provided that you are not unnecessarily inflammatory or antagonistic to the other candidates.

3. You may not post attacks of any kind against the Daily Democrat. Furthermore, you cannot post criticism and try to pass it off as a compliment ("I enthusiastically support candidate X because he ruined his state's economy!")

4. You may not discuss the supporters of any candidate (that goes for the the Daily Democrat, or any other candidate).

5. Undecided voters are encouraged to ask questions about the Daily Democrat in order to better inform their choice. Note that criticism disguised as a question will not be allowed.

6. You may not start another discussion thread for the purposes of responding to comments made in the "Daily Democrat" thread. Sorry -- you just have to suck it up and let the positive discussion continue uninterrupted.

7. I will not babysit the Daily Democrat thread, because I believe it will not be necessary. It is the responsibility of every member to know and follow the rules. Deliberate disruption of the Daily Democrat thread, or efforts by opponents to influence the Daily Democrat thread, will result in the banning of the individual(s) responsible.

8. I reserve the right to change the rules as necessary to make this work.

TIMING

We will discuss two Daily Democrats per day, and cycle through the list of presidential candidates in modified alphabetical order.

12/04 - Wesley Clark ...... and ... Dennis Kucinich
12/05 - Howard Dean ....... and ... Joe Lieberman
12/06 - John Edwards ...... and ... Carol Moseley Braun
12/07 - Dick Gephardt ..... and ... Al Sharpton
12/08 - John Kerry ........ and ... Wesley Clark
12/09 - Dennis Kucinich ... and ... Howard Dean
12/10 - Joe Lieberman ..... and ... John Edwards
12/11 - Carol Moseley Braun and ... Dick Gephardt
12/12 - Al Sharpton ....... and ... John Kerry
12/13 - Wesley Clark ...... and ... Dennis Kucinich
12/14 - Etc...

LET'S GET STARTED

Here's your chance for some positive discussion of Dennis Kucinich! Who wants to start it off?

[AP]

1. In the flurry of press attention Kucinich got this past week, my enthus-

iasm for him has multiplied.

Between Living on Earth, Democracy, Now! and Working Assets Radio, I saw a very flattering portrait of this man painted in the last week. I think he also won that last debate.

I think he had the best week of all the candidates (which ended yesterday at 1 pm when Edwards gave his Commonwealth Club speech :) )

[tinanator]

71. this was a very special moment in the campaign

it will be talked about for years.

[JohnKleeb]

2. A rant in a foreign language

on pomožen mi prevzeten v obstati irski ter južen slovanski. on tudi has najboljši krajšava za ter policija. Dennis je progresiven ter nije osramoèen od it.brbr
Sorry Skinner, I couldnt resist. Now in English :). He has some of the best positions Ive seen, he inspires me, and I love the way he speaks, makes you think why or why not. Win or lose I think Dennis is gonna be a leader in our party, he'll get promoted.

[Mairead]

21. (Completely OT)

John, I think it's wonderful co ty mówic slovensko. How did you manage to learn?

[JohnKleeb]

22. My grandfather is slovene

I got a dictionary last fall as a gift. I used an internet translator for what I said just then. :)
Now more on Dennis
He has some reallly powerful views, and hes willing to take risks.

[maddezmom]

3. he has scored a lot of points with me after the ABC debate

He had a lot to begin with, but after his smack down on Ted....he has my firm support. We need his voice and I think he should stay in the race until the end. :)

[AP]

8. Bill Clinton said that one thing you can never do in DC is criticize...

...the press.

Kucinich did, and the next day he lost his ABC embed. But Kucinich, I believe, is taking that lemon and turning it into lemonade.

I think a lot of people heard the coverage yesteraday (on Democracy, Now! particularly) and are starting to understand what Kucinich is all about, and what ABC is all about too (which is very important).

[maddezmom]

10. I love lemonade!!! :)

[AP]

11. Oddly -- and I just realized this now -- I'm drinking a lot of lemonade

these days too.

Strange.

Lemonade should be the official drink of the 2004 Democratic Presidential campaign.

[letthewindblow]

38. Lemonade for the official drink of the 04 Dem Presidential campain!

It helps against the flu too!
Gotta go find some lemon...

[UrbScotty]

4. He is by far one of America's most idealistic thinkers.

Department of Peace, cutting Pentagon waste while still keeping America safe...

This is a man of ideals.

[Iverson]

5. a genuine liberal

Kucinich articulates the case for liberalism well. His "Prayer for America" was one of commondreams.org's most forwarded articles. Recently, his riposte to Ted Koppel unveiled the major news media's bias, and he was punished for it by having ABC yank their coverage immediately after. He should wear that as a badge of honor, unfortunate though it is.

[kclown]

6. He has won all the debates, IMHO

Kucinich is the quickest-thinking and most articulate of the
candidates.  How much good that will do him is not clear.

[Deja Q]

16. The problem is that America is about charisma and looks, not intelligence

A catchy song and dance is far more important than issues. :-(

[Zomby Woof]

7. He stole the debate

Hands down, one of the greatest moments ever in a campaign debate. Putting Koppel in his place about the fact the media obsesses over numbers, polling, and money - wasting 45 minutes of time talking about it - DK delivered a sublime tongue-lashing. The audience reaction was visceral, and the look on Koppel's face was unprecedented in all of the 24 years I have watched him on television. You could have fit one of the podiums in his mouth. :-)

Agree with him or not, he deserves to be heard, and the media ignores him at the disservice of the race.

[AP]

9. Could someon provide a link to the CSPAN footage, with the time

for when Kucinich made that statemetn?

In fact, I encourage copyright infringment -- someone should tell the Kucinich campaign to put that clip on their web site for easy access.

I want to take another look at that.

[WhoCountsTheVotes]

13. when he said "You can see where the media wants to take this race"

He spoke for every single person who has complained about how the media portays Democrats and liberals, and that's why the audience went nuts. Everyone was thinking it and someone finally had the guts to say it, loudly, forcefully, in public.

[xJlM]

27. From DK's site

http://www.kucinich.us/ has a link to the scene of DK knocking Ted Koppel's hat off his head. You can find it here : http://resources.kucinich.us/video/video/nightline/nightline_real_broadband.ram but it's Realplayer.

[letthewindblow]

42. That was awesome!

I haven't seen it before, only read the transscripts.

[AP]

43. kick. Everyone should watch this.

This is hot.

[JohnKleeb]

45. beautiful just beautiful and true

[WhoCountsTheVotes]

61. "I may be inconvienient for some of those in the media"

[AP]

67. Who made that picture? That's great.

[buddhamama]

12. agreed !

i loved it when he mentioned being an inconvenience to the media.

YAY! i heard DK on DemocracyNow yesterday speaking about ABC pulling their reporter off of his campaign. He spoke of the polls and how the depending on what polls and, in what area of the country you go by, DK, Carol Mosley-Braun and Sharpton are polling higher than Edwards but, ABC isn't pulling their coverage of him. (note, this is not a swipe at Edwards)

[PissedOffPollyana]

50. Yeah, polls only seem to count...

... when they prove the thesis that's making the rounds.

For all the talk about the internet campaigning, Kucinich's website is ranking 2nd, ahead of all the candidates but Dean. Hmmm... but the ranking company was keeping his numbers separate from the other candidates' until the campign contacted them and pointed out the "oversight".

This has been a funky campaign season already! If anybody can get through this, it's this man. I'm so glad he and the others are not giving in to this **self-censor on** silliness.

[David Zephyr]

39. I Think He Won the Debate As Well, ZW.

:thumbsup:

[LWolf]

14. Dennis Kucinich is an amazing man.

Even as one of his supporters, I am constantly re-surprised by the tireless, selfless, determined way he works for Americans. If it is an issue, he is well-informed, has a plan, and may have already acted on it. Just ask him.

He isn't going to be bought. He's not going to leave us behind as he advances his career. His candidacy, and his presidency, will be about Americans. Not about money, power, or corporations.

[Kat 333]

30. Having the peoples best interest sold out

time and time again, by this administration, Kucinich is a breath of fresh air. The man is fearless, honest, informed and passionate. He is a true democrat - liberal thinker - fighter for the rights of the people even when his own best interests are at stake.

Goooooooooooo DENNIS !

[greyowl]

46. Dennis is the only choice for America.....

4 more years of Bush or Bush-lite...i don't think so....

[Spazito]

15. I loved his well deserved smack-down of the media during the debate..

I dispise the media that have decided that he is not to be covered. He has alot to say and has earned the right to have what he has to say covered. Shame on the media!

[PissedOffPollyana]

17. Dennis Kucinich is the Dem's logic, soul & conscience.

There are a few issues that GW is particularly vulnerable on.

The first is the corporate insider dealing within his administration. When we take him on, we can be stronger if we have a candidate with a life-long record of winning effective victories against creeping privatization and corporatization. We need someone who has no skeletons to rattle when we open this door on GW. No aspersions, just knowledge that Dennis Kucinich can open that can of worms safely and effectively without any fear of his record.

The next is campaign & election reform. The Dem party needs a candidate that can support the party position with action. We can ill afford to bring up campaign reform if the candidate has opted out of public financing. No pointing of fingers, because it's not about that, but this is a reality. Americans want the spigot off and don't want to see a "for sale" sign on their government. In selecting a standard-bearer, we need to practice what we preach. Dennis Kucinich has been one of the strongest candidates on this issue and its counterpart, election reform.

Even if one believes, unlike I do, that a shift to UN oversight of Iraq will take longer than Kucinich has planned, can we not agree that his policy is the most positive for all involved? The UN wants an end to the illegal, crony maneuvers. The Iraqis want us to stop forcing governments on them (I don't blame them, we gave them the Ba'ath party and stuck them with Hussein.) and stop chopping up their industries and utillities to circling sharks. American people simply want an end to the slaughter of their young men & women and our budget. Dennis Kucinich is the only candidate with a detailed plan and one who has understood that we have no right to demand to 'finish a job' we had no right of responsibility to in the first place. Bush will be weak here, if the vitriol and snarky one-liners from all over his 'royal court' are any indication.

Here one of the best positives... the general unwashed masses out there seem to like GW because of his "moral clarity". In Dennis Kucinich, they will finally get to see the 'heads' (positive) side of that coin instead of its nasty, spiteful underbelly. The Democrats can turn one of GWs only positives against him by presenting a real man of character and unwavering principles. Though GW has asserted that he was picked by god, he will end up looking like nothing more than a dashboard "Buddy-Christ" gesturing "gotcha".

And the biggest of all... Dennis Kucinich stands the best chance of bringing back countless disenchanted left-leaning voters, as well as a litany of possible 3rd party voters and even anarchists. The biggest issue next fall will be globalization, corporatization and the stop of the devastating race to the bottom to feed the off-shore, untaxed bank accounts of the wealthiest among us. We could win the hearts and minds of a LOT of progressively minded people who would not otherwise vote Dem, possibly not vote or go 3rd party. How many march every year against NAFTA, WTO, FTAA and the ruinous policies that have decimated the working class? A lot, I'd bet, and how many will NOT support a candidate that leaves the status in place? Dennis Kucinich and his platform address these issues plainly and with a mind toward reversing the tide, not just slowing it down. That will have a LOT of traction with the left that we really need to win the WH.

All we need is for those who agree with Dennis Kucinich to listen to their conscience and vote accordingly. We cannot let polls, corporate dollars or the talking heads that represent them to tell us that real progress is 'fringe' or 'radical'. If we believe in the principles that made the Democratic party great, we need to support them with our voices and our votes.

A very wise man (Dennis Kucinich) said: You can only receive your heart's desire when you vote with your heart.

If we believe we can do it, we CAN make this country strong. Not in military force or economic arm-twisting, but a real force for peaceful resolution, fair trade, respect for the environment, respect for international law and most importantly... respect for ourselves and the future of our nation.

**getting down from the stump**
Thanks for this idea; it's fabulous!

[creativelcro]

18. Kucinich on the issues

Check out http://www.issues2002.org/Dennis_Kucinich.htm for full quotes. -CV


Dennis Kucinich on Abortion
All men & women have right to make difficult moral decisions. (Aug 1)
Supreme Court nominees must agree to uphold Roe v. Wade. (Apr 1)
Journey in 2002 from pro-life to pro-choice. (Apr 1)
Women can't be free unless they have the right to choose. (Apr 1)
Prevention, education, & health care, to minimize abortions. (Apr 1)
Life begins at conception. (Jul 1996)
Voted YES on banning human cloning, including medical research. (Jul 2001)
Voted YES on banning Family Planning funding in US aid abroad. (May 2001)
Voted YES on federal crime to harm fetus while committing other crimes. (Apr 2001)
Voted YES on banning partial-birth abortions. (Apr 2000)
Voted YES on barring transporting minors to get an abortion. (Jun 1999)


Dennis Kucinich on Budget & Economy
$435B trade deficit is critical to economy. (Sep 25)
Steel, automotive, and shipping are critical to US economy. (Sep 4)
Cut the runaway Pentagon budget to save the economy. (Jun 17)


Dennis Kucinich on Civil Rights
Repeal the PATRIOT Act: stop being driven by fear. (Sep 9)
Must challenge rationale of USA PATRIOT Act. (Aug 1)
Same sex couples deserve equal domestic benefits. (Aug 1)
Affirmative action is necessary & right & must be preserved. (Aug 1)
Voted against the misnamed "Patriot Act". (Jun 17)
Focus on jobs instead of pitting people against each other. (Jul 1996)
Voted YES on Constitutional amendment prohibiting Flag Desecration. (Jul 2001)
Voted NO on banning gay adoptions in DC. (Jul 1999)
Voted YES on Amendment to prohibit burning the US flag. (Jun 1999)
Voted NO on ending preferential treatment by race in college admissions. (May 1998)
Constitutional Amendment for equal rights by gender. (Mar 2001)


Dennis Kucinich on Corporations
Democracy fails without corporate regulation. (Sep 25)
Iraq: no more Halliburton sweetheart deals. (Sep 4)
Cleveland's bankruptcy was hard decision but right decision. (May 3)
Voted NO on Bankruptcy Overhaul requiring partial debt repayment. (Mar 2001)


Dennis Kucinich on Crime
Terminate the federal death penalty, even if unpopular. (Sep 25)
Focus on prevention, not punishment. (Jul 1996)
Voted YES on funding for alternative sentencing instead of more prisons. (Jun 2000)
Voted NO on more prosecution and sentencing for juvenile crime. (Jun 1999)
Moratorium on death penalty; more DNA testing. (Mar 2001)
More funding and stricter sentencing for hate crimes. (Apr 2001)
Require DNA testing for all federal executions. (Mar 2001)


Dennis Kucinich on Drugs
Emphasizes rehabilitation over incarceration. (Sep 9)
War on Drugs benefits only the prison-industrial complex. (Aug 1)
Racial bias in drug enforcement is pervasive. (Aug 1)
Addiction is a medical and moral problem. (Aug 1)
Voted NO on military border patrols to battle drugs & terrorism. (Sep 2001)
Voted NO on prohibiting needle exchange & medical marijuana in DC. (Oct 1999)


Dennis Kucinich on Education
Establish universal pre-kindergarten programs. (Aug 1)
School Choice
Keep public education separate from private education. (Jul 1996)
Voted YES on requiring states to test students. (May 2001)
Voted NO on allowing vouchers in DC schools. (Aug 1998)
Voted NO on vouchers for private & parochial schools. (Nov 1997)
Reduce class size to 18 children in grades 1 to 3. (Mar 2001)
Teacher development grants to improve math & science classes. (Jan 2001)
Opposes requiring schools to allow school prayer. (Jan 2001)


Dennis Kucinich on Energy & Oil
Nuclear waste poses grave danger to US. (Aug 1)
Auto-dependent sprawl causes runoff pollution. (Aug 1)
Will sign Kyoto climate change treaty. (Aug 1)
Double our energy from renewable sources by 2010. (Jun 17)
Global Green Deal for renewable energy. (Jun 17)
Voted YES on raising CAFE standards; incentives for alternative fuels. (Aug 2001)
Voted YES on prohibiting oil drilling & development in ANWR. (Aug 2001)
Voted YES on starting implementation of Kyoto Protocol. (Jun 2000)
Regulate wholesale electricity & gas prices. (Mar 2001)
Preserve Alaska's ANWR instead of drilling it. (Feb 2001)


Dennis Kucinich on Environment
Water should forever be in the public domain. (Aug 1)
Bush's wetland rules would increase flooding. (Aug 1)
Clean, safe water is a human right. (Aug 1)
A clean environment is not a luxury. (Aug 1)


Dennis Kucinich on Families & Children
Dept. of Peace should address all forms of violence. (Aug 1)
Voted NO on reducing Marriage Tax by $399B over 10 years. (Mar 2001)


Dennis Kucinich on Foreign Policy
Promote international treaties but reject global corporatism. (Aug 1)
Lead world to sustainable energy production. (Aug 1)
Foreign aid for peace incentives, not conflict. (Jul 1996)
Voted YES on keeping Cuba travel ban until political prisoners released. (Jul 2001)
Voted NO on withholding $244M in UN Back Payments until US seat restored. (May 2001)
Voted NO on $156M to IMF for 3rd-world debt reduction. (Jul 2000)
Voted NO on Permanent Normal Trade Relations with China. (May 2000)
Voted YES on $15.2 billion for foreign operations. (Nov 1999)


Dennis Kucinich on Free Trade
Against China MFN because of $100B trade deficit. (Sep 25)
First act as president will be to cancel NAFTA. (Sep 4)
Need specific worker rights written into trade agreements. (Sep 4)
Companies profit from trade based on Third World misery. (Sep 4)
Review & modify all treaties not respecting human rights. (Aug 1)
No NAFTA, No WTO, No Fast Track. (Aug 1)
Cancel NAFTA and the WTO. (May 3)
Don't sacrifice our rights to global corporate ethic. (Apr 1)
Retaliatory tariffs yes; GATT no. (Jul 1996)
Voted YES on withdrawing from the WTO. (Jun 2000)
Voted NO on 'Fast Track' authority for trade agreements. (Sep 1998)
Maintain anti-dumping restrictions against foreign importers. (Oct 2001)
No MFN for China; condition trade on human rights. (Nov 1999)


Dennis Kucinich on Government Reform
Public financing for elections. (Aug 1)
Register on election day; more voting rights enhancements. (Aug 1)
Give DC residents proper representation. (Aug 1)
Debate reform opens the door to new candidates. (Aug 1)
Implement Instant Runoff Voting in US. (Aug 1)
Will not accept corporate PAC money. (Aug 1)
Private campaign financing leads to private control of gov't. (Aug 1)
Spend money on job creation, not corporate cronies. (Jun 17)
End privatization: it sells government to lowest bidder. (May 17)
Voted NO on banning soft money donations to national political parties. (Jul 2001)
Voted YES on banning soft money. (Sep 1999)


Dennis Kucinich on Gun Control
Voted NO on decreasing gun waiting period from 3 days to 1. (Jun 1999)


Dennis Kucinich on Health Care
Single-payer for alternative medicine, mental health, more. (Sep 25)
7.7% tax to pay for full coverage. (Sep 25)
Health is a right, not a privilege. (Sep 4)
Take profit motive out of health care. (Sep 4)
Insurance companies do not heal people; practitioners do. (Aug 1)
Seniors forced to choose between medicine and food. (Aug 1)
Prescription for America: ceiling on drug company profits. (Aug 1)
Regulate prescription drug prices like utility rates. (Aug 1)
Medicare for All: universal single-payer national system. (Aug 1)
Private companies charge 18% admin & Medicare charges 3%. (May 17)
Raise taxes for guaranteed, single payer, universal care. (May 3)
Voted NO on allowing suing HMOs, but under federal rules & limited award. (Aug 2001)
Voted NO on Prescription Drug Coverage under Medicare. (Jun 2000)
Voted YES on banning physician-assisted suicide. (Oct 1999)
Voted NO on establishing tax-exempt Medical Savings Accounts. (Oct 1999)
MEDS Plan: Cover senior Rx under Medicare. (Jan 2001)
Make health care a right, not a privilege. (Nov 1999)


Dennis Kucinich on Homeland Security
$550B defense budget implies more taxes. (Sep 25)
Cut defense budget by 15%, even if unpopular. (Sep 25)
End the ban on gays in military. (Aug 1)
Terminating ABM treaty was unconstitutional. (Aug 1)
Violence and war are not inevitable. (Aug 1)
Confront the bloat and waste in Pentagon budget. (Aug 1)
Hometown Security: social spending instead of military. (Aug 1)
Abide by Non-Proliferation, ABM, and Test Ban Treaties. (Aug 1)
Bush's foreign policy of preemption is destabilizing. (May 3)
Voted NO on $266 billion Defense Appropriations bill. (Jul 1999)
Voted NO on deploying SDI. (Mar 1999)
Take US nuclear missiles off high alert. (Aug 2001)
End the use of anti-personnel mines. (Mar 2001)


Dennis Kucinich on Immigration
Extend our arms to world-immigrant amnesty and more. (Sep 4)
Voted YES on extending Immigrant Residency rules. (May 2001)
Voted NO on more immigrant visas for skilled workers. (Sep 1998)


Dennis Kucinich on Infrastructure
Americans need more info about genetic alterations in food. (Aug 1)
Subsidize farmer losses due to genetic modifications. (Aug 1)


Dennis Kucinich on Jobs
Rebuild infrastructure with a program like FDR's WPA. (Sep 4)
Shift USDA funds from agribusiness to family farmers. (Aug 1)
Labor defends workers when corporations attack. (Aug 1)
Right to a job and to decent wages. (Aug 1)
Labor protections; not binding employer arbitration. (Aug 1)
Repeal portions of Taft-Hartley Act; enhance right to strike. (Aug 1)
Genetically-engineered food is an issue of freedom of choice. (Aug 1)
Address plight of small farmer by canceling NAFTA & WTO. (Aug 1)
Break apart monopolistic agribusiness companies. (Aug 1)
National ban on packer ownership of livestock. (Aug 1)
Farm worker safety by fining employers. (Aug 1)
Invest in rural America. (Aug 1)
Enshrine workers' rights in a workers' White House. (May 17)
Joblessness is a weapon of mass destruction. (May 17)
Voted NO on $167B over 10 years for farm price supports. (Oct 2001)
Voted NO on zero-funding OSHA's Ergonomics Rules instead of $4.5B. (Mar 2001)


Dennis Kucinich on Principles & Values
Favorite song: John Lennon, "Imagine". (Sep 9)
Grew up poor, so is attuned to the concerns of the people. (Sep 9)
Sacrificed political career to save city utility ownership. (Aug 1)
Broccoli would be welcomed in first vegetarian White House. (May 14)
Grass-roots campaign to take back America for the people. (May 3)
Long list of legislative priorities in Congress. (Jul 1996)
Religious affiliation: Catholic. (Nov 2000)
Member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus. (Oct 2001)


Dennis Kucinich on Social Security
Privatization is off the table-I'll block it. (Sep 25)
Return retirement age to 65-we're solid thru 2041. (Sep 25)
Restore retirement age to 65. (Aug 1)
Safe retirement is part of American Dream. (Aug 1)
Double standard between employers & employees must end. (Aug 1)
Stop privatization and return retirement age to 65. (May 17)
Voted NO on raising 401(k) limits & making pension plans more portable. (May 2001)
Voted YES on reducing tax payments on Social Security benefits. (Jul 2000)
Voted YES on strengthening the Social Security Lockbox. (May 1999)


Dennis Kucinich on Tax Reform
Top 272,000 taxpayers got as much benefit as bottom 129M. (Sep 25)
Voted NO on $99.5B economic stimulus: capital gains & income tax cuts. (Oct 2001)
Voted NO on Tax Cut Package of $958B over 10 years. (May 2001)
Voted NO on eliminating the Estate Tax. (Apr 2001)
Voted NO on eliminating the "marriage penalty". (Jul 2000)
Voted NO on repealing the estate tax ("death tax"). (Jun 2000)
Voted NO on $46 billion in tax cuts for small business. (Mar 2000)
American People's Dividend: Give $300 to every person. (Feb 2001)


Dennis Kucinich on War & Peace
No on $87B for Iraq-bring the troops home before it's $245B. (Sep 25)
Have UN handle all Iraqi oil contracts. (Sep 9)
$87B to "protect troops" is cynical; end the war. (Sep 9)
End Bush's blunder: Bring US troops home & bring UN in. (Sep 4)
Supports Palestinian security and Israeli security. (Aug 1)
War in Iraq was wrong, and isolated the US. (Aug 1)
Establish a cabinet Department of Peace and Nonviolence. (Jun 17)
Question Bush's truthfulness on Iraq. (Jun 17)
Voted YES on disallowing the invasion of Kosovo. (May 1999)


Dennis Kucinich on Welfare & Poverty
Public sector has moral responsibility to provide jobs. (Aug 1)
Education is only solution to alleviate poverty. (Aug 1)
Work not welfare for those able to work. (Jul 1996)
Voted NO on treating religious organizations equally for tax breaks. (Jul 2001)
Voted YES on responsible fatherhood via faith-based organizations. (Nov 1999)
Reduce the concentration of wealth & wage inequality. (Nov 1999)

Check out http://www.issues2002.org/Dennis_Kucinich.htm for full quotes. -CV

[kerryistheanswer]

19. Dennis is a vegan!

Being a life long vegetarian, I respect that and much more about Dennis. If we were living in a different time and place, he would be my top choice. I hope he becomes a senator - he's a true inspiration.

[greyowl]

48. But he also respects peoples rights to choose a different path

Unlike the neocon fascist currently in power. He is about true freedom. The freedom to choose how you should live your life and eneabling all American's to do so.

[creativelcro]

64. Wow! That is good.

[letthewindblow]

20. genuine liberal

genuine democrat, genuine human and he has that courage and energy. He is the uncoruptable one!

[Dover]

51. Yes...Kucinich is UNCORRUPTABLE...Just think about that

for a minute and what it means for our times.

A politician you can TRUST?

Wow..........

[letthewindblow]

59. His sheer UNCORUPTABILTY is

the most important thing about him. It stands even above all the issues. It would mean everything in our times.

[Mairead]

23. Interesting chart: how Dem congressional share has fallen

since Dems moved to the right and stopped representing the People:

According to the media and the rightwing Democrats to whom it listens, there was a time when Democrats were too liberal, a disaster from which the Democratic Leadership Council and Bill Clinton saved the party. Now this fraudulent argument is being revived against Howard Dean. The Hartford Courant, for example, reported that "Dean, the argument goes, would take the party back to a time it would rather forget, when it was too often viewed as the voice of the left." The chart above shows what a blatent untruth this is. As with the Senate and governorships, the party's recent descent began when it became GOP Lite in the Reagan era and plummeted under Clinton. (Sam Smith supports Dean, apparently because he somehow thinks that Dean is a liberal!)

[Kanary]

26. Great chart!

That certainly illustrates the fallacy of Dennis being "too liberal", and "unelectable".

I'm so discouraged that Dems are still talking about "compromise", and being "centrist". Obviously that's not in our best interest!

I'm sooo glad you posted this! What an eyeopener!

Kanary

[letthewindblow]

65. kick!

[no name no slogan]

68. THAT's the core of my "rants"!

Thanks for posting this Mairead, because it illustrates EXACTLY what I've been talking about to fellow lefties and Dems for YEARS! The leadership of the Dems has gotten WAY to conservative in the past years, and voters are responding by NOT voting for their "Repub Lite" candidates.

IMHO, Dennis Kucinich is the only candidate in this race who can get disaffected (i.e., non-voting) Democrats out to the polls-- especially working people who feel that the party has abondoned their interests over the past two decades. He's the one who's still preaching the liberal gospel, and is not afraid to stand up to the big boys, whether they're in the business world, government or the media. And he does so with such a clarity of purpose that it's impossible to not think he can't beat your average corporate whore the Repubs will put up.

He is truly the first presidential candidate I can wholeheartedly support 100%, because I agree with him on almost every single issue.

GO DENNIS!

[nuxvomica]

24. When Koppel said a zinger was coming and DK said "yes"

He didn't miss a beat. The guy is focused like a laser beam. I don't think he has the widespread appeal of my Gephardt but I like his position on the issues, I like his demeanor and quick wit and think he should definitely stay in the race. If Gephardt weren't in the race, I'd be supportig Kucinich. Hell, I even donated to him to make sure he stayed in.

[JohnKleeb]

25. So hes your second choice

BTW
THey should nickname Gep and DK, the labor duo :), they both are great for labor.

[nuxvomica]

33. Yeah. Easily my second choice.

I can't believe I wrote "my Gephardt". I had originally written "my candidate" and just changed the one word. LOL.

[JohnKleeb]

37. yeah

Isnt that neat you know, hes not very polarizing I notice. Anyway, Gep your guy is my dream secretary of labor, I would hope that Gep would consider DK for the same, because Gep knows labor. BTW have you talked to Rhiannon lately? You know me and her are pals right, last I saw she was sick.

[Kanary]

28. Survival! That's the main issue!

I've said it before here (and been mostly ignored), but I'm gonna say it again.

I've read about the other candidates before choosing, but Dennis is the only one who speaks to the issue of support for those of us who are disabled, and vulnerable to cuts....shoving us off the edge. Dennis is right there, and he's the only one I trust with my survival. So, for me, there isn't any question.

I'm very depressed that this issue just doesn't seem to count, even for "progressive" Dems. This isn't something that even gets mentioned much here, and if it is, it isn't a thread that stays.

I've asked supporters of other candidates if they would press their candidate for support of this issue, but.... with one rather spectacular exception, either I get flamed for it, or ignored. So, that says it clearly to me.

I'm not alone in being frightened for my own survival. It would certainly be nice if that got some attention.

Until then, Dennis gets my support.

Kanary

[xJlM]

29. He's one of a kind

I'm glad he's in the race, because i can vote my conscience and feel good about it. He's actually almost the only choice that offers anything different than what we could get from a repug.

[Myra]

31. We're always wishing for a tough liberal, Kucinich is just that.

I'm blown away by his performance in so called "debates,"
even though they're baiting than debating. He's a true progressive with a spine.

He's the only candidate who has gone after Diebold and e-voting fraud, in earnest. A few others have tossed a line into their stump speaches about it, but he's actually doing something.

You know, substance.

[sandnsea]

52. A tough liberal

Great way to put it! He does have a steel core and comes out fighting no matter what. He's an amazing human being.

[proud patriot]

32. I like Dennis Kucinich

He makes me feel that I have a voice in a policy maker .
He is very smart and is willing to stand up for what
he believes in and I like that .

[newyawker99]

34. kick

[Moderator]

35. kick

[Selwynn]

36. His ABC performance was awe-inspiring! :)

[DinahMoeHum]

40. I don't know about DK as POTUS (yet) , but I'd LOVE to have him as. . .

Speaker of the House.
(or another top position in Congress - Majority Whip, etc.)

Howsabout a US Senator some day ??

:kick:

[diamondsoul]

41. I am exceedingly proud of my Candidate today.

For those who found a profound reaction to the Blumrich animation the Kucinich campaign was given use of-

The animation has at least temporarily been pulled from the campaign site. It seems Mr. Blumrich recieved some death threats and had his personal information, including a map to his home, published online. I gotta tell you, folks, this sort of behavior by the VFRW just reinforces our horror. It is, in a word, despicable.

It gets more pathetic even, if you can believe that. The campaign's volunteer board was inundated with a band of bullying thugs demanding we pull the ad or they would "take over" our board. Funny stuff but sickening, too. Funny because they're incapable of taking over the board, sickening because it's clear they engage in cyber-terrorism and thuggery as well as real life terrorism and thuggery. If ever I thought some of these sorts had a speck of decency or humanity, that has been dashed, and I say "these sorts" because there is a difference between thugs and conservatives.

I refuse to be drawn into the hatred that consumes these people.

[newyawker99]

44. kick

[mzmolly]

47. Idealist who is ahead of his time....

so very glad to have him on our team!

[VT70]

49. He likes polka

nt

[goodhue]

53. welcome to DU!

Polka Music Clips

http://www.house.gov/kucinich/info/polkamusic.htm

[creativelcro]

54. KICK

[VT70]

56. thanks much

good clips. :)

[goodhue]

60. The Kucinich Polka

Have you heard the Kucinich Polka?

You can check it out at the Culture Corner.
http://www.kucinich.us/culturecorner.htm

The lyrics are

The Kucinich Polka
by Lauren Haldeman

Vote for Kucinich
We all love this guy a ton
Vote for Kucinich
He knows how to get things done
Vote for Kucinich
America's daughters and sons...
Vote for Kucinich
Dennis Kucinich, he's the one!

Copyright © 2003 Lauren Haldeman

[VT70]

62. Heh, that's great!

:toast:

[TexasSissy]

55. He's a package of dynamite and the most articulate

of the candidates, IMO. And he's not even my candidate!

He's made a name for himself in this race. It'll be interesting to see what he does with it.

I didn't know who he was before this race. Now I do. And although I think he's off mark on some issues (way off mark, for me), I listen when he speaks. He has the gift of speech. And a keen mind to go with it. A great combination.

[Cronus Protagonist]

66. Ditto

Ditto that.

FUCK BUSH Buttons, Stickers & Magnets

[VT70]

57. Well

I match up with him 100% on SelectSmart, I believe, so that's a good thing!

[JohnKleeb]

58. Maybe hes your ideal candiate

BTW your Gep quote indicates to me that you are against American jobs leaving our shores, I think you will find common ground with DK on that. Anyhow I like and respect Gephardt for his work with the unions, hes gotten the unions except the miners one that my family was involved in.

[creativelcro]

63. UP AGAIN

[rbnyc]

69. He understands the need to include language...

...that extends to gender identity in civil rights legislation. He won't leave the T out of LGBT.

[creativelcro]

70. agree with that n/t

[snoochie]

72. He's the best candidate for reclaiming the soul of the Democratic Party

I sincerely believe that. I think having another centrist in office will have the same effect on our downballot races that we've seen as shown in the chart Mairead posted.

He's a leader, not a follower. As shown by his courage in taking Diebold by the horns and settling them down, and also his taking Koppel to task for his dumb@$$ questions.

He's the man to bring Democrats back to majority status in the House and Senate, by inspiring the public again. After years of free traders and compromisers, it's time to elect a street fighter for the people like DK.

I believe in him, and I believe that if all of us that know he's the best candidate to come down the pike in a very long while actually vote for him in the primaries, we may have a chance to not only win the Oval Office, but also to win some real change for liberal values. I think he makes the best match to beat Bush since he's so clearly the most diametrically opposed to him of all the candidates.

I'm proud of him, and I'm proud of all of his supporters and endorsers for standing up for what they believe is right, no matter the cost. It takes guts to withstand people insulting you for standing up for what you believe in. But it sure does feel good. :)

[tlcandie]

73. Thanks for this GREAT opportunity! A different twist on Dennis...visuals

I encourage each of you to not skip through the intro and let it sink in...allow it to sync with today and replace Seabiscuit with Dennis! Enjoy :D

http://www.seabiscuitonline.com/


http://movies.yahoo.com/shop?d=hv&id=1808437039&cf=trailer&intl=us

THE DREAMS OF A NATION RIDE ON A LONGSHOT
• 'Seabiscuit' Teaser Trailer

The Lil' Guy; Impossible Dream; and Increadible Odds
• 'Seabiscuit' Teaser Trailer No. 2

Finding hope in unlikely places and Matters of the heart
'Seabiscuit' Theatrical Trailer

Though he be but little, he be feared...
• "That's Shakespeare"

The prize in the punchbowl...Odds
• "Seventy To One"

Unelectability...oopsie I mean unwinable!
• "Match Race"

Faith, hope, inspiration, and history that becomes legendary
• "Showbiz Networks: Seabiscuit Premiere"

Sparked the imagination of America like no other; succeeded because he was given a chance; what we can do when we begin to see the best in each other
• "Showbiz Networks: Seabiscuit Premiere" WARNING: long



At any rate, I hope that at the minimum you are inspired by watching the clips and encouraged to watch the true story of a long shot who made history to become a legend! How did he do it? He had HEART and refused to quit for those who loved and cared for him!

[cryofan]

74. All Kucinich supporters should read this new interview

It deals with the campaign situation and Kucinich:

http://www.counterpunch.org/engel12132003.html

[tlcandie]

75. Kick!!!

n/t

[ThirdWheelLegend]

76. Imagine Dennis debating dumbya?!

Would dumbya cry?

:)

TWL