Democrats make pitch to unions (Kucinich stands out at AFL-CIO event)

[AnAmerican]

"The leaders of organized labor played host Tuesday night to a nine-candidate free-for-all among the Democratic presidential contenders. Long-shot contender Rep. Dennis Kucinich of Ohio stood out from the crowd, delivering a rousing performance"

<snip>

"After the debate Kucinich insisted that it wasn’t impractical to cancel NAFTA and pull out of the WTO. "No one here answered that question.... None of them would say it — not even Dick Gephardt who is trying to rely on support from labor to become the next president."

<snip>

"The 13 million-member AFL-CIO labor confederation is not likely to endorse a Democratic contender until October. And due to splits among the member unions, the labor confederation may not issue an endorsement at all until after the Democrats select their nominee next summer."

Full text at http://www.msnbc.com/news/948704.asp

[cherryperry]

1. Yes, Kucinich is the best one out there, IMHO,

but I think the AFL-CIO will in fact wait until the nominee is chosen and then announce their support for the democratic party.

[JohnKleeb]

2. I think you're right I didnt see it though

I hear he wasnt that good though.

[Tinoire]

4. Watch it now! It's on again! n/t

[JohnKleeb]

6. ok

[LWolf]

3. Woo Hoo!

Long-shot contender Rep. Dennis Kucinich of Ohio stood out from the crowd, delivering a rousing performance, challenging former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean on why he wasn’t willing to cut the defense budget and demanding that Rep. Dick Gephardt of Missouri tell the audience whether he’d revoke the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and pull the United States out of the World Trade Organization.


Finally, DK appears where he belongs; at the head of the pack in the mainstream media!

[revcarol]

5. Gee they just happen to fail to mention that KUCINICH

walked in support of a striking union today,,,and last week in Seattle,,,and in California...and supported the dockworkers when they were locked out,,,

[Sushi Bandit]

7. Too bad the end of his speach was cut off!

I waited 20 min. and they showed his closing speach.

I dont see how a union member could not support him!

[JohnKleeb]

10. Kucinich is the people's choice

If you want to see something magical then support Kucinich.

[diamondsoul]

17. Sickening isn't it?

I was furious until the debate aired, now I don't care, we took a flying leap forward with his performance tonight, and I think this is just the beginning.

[JohnKleeb]

19. momentum time

Seriously Dennis is what the nation needs not another DLC moderate, I like Kerry, but Dennis wants to repeal Taft-Hartley even. I think tonight was a blessing of the old democratic heroes who want DK to win unfortunely their advertisement doesnt count ):.

[Padme Amidala]

8. Yes. He is the only candidate who has raised some very important issues

Tonight he won. There is no doubt about it. Towards the end he is the only candidate who got an applause, let alone a huge one, before he could say one word.

[JohnKleeb]

9. cool

[DrFunkenstein]

11. Kucinich in Action

<>

[JohnKleeb]

12. and some say hes not a fighter

I know maybe he didnt across that good to some but he did tell the truth about some of the others.

[Desertrose]

13. for all those who say Dean is a fighter....I say

Dennis Kucinich is a fighter for the people...I'm not so sure what Dean is fighting for.

Dk has solutions and not just rhetoric....he offered more than simply "I have a plan" bs- he can tell you exactly what his plan entails....he goes so far beyond the others and everything he says he can back up.

I was impressed by his fighting spirit...I don't think the other candidates expected that...Dean sure didn't. and he spoke less than the truth about the retirement age....

I felt Dennis stood out weel...even if they lost his clsoing speech- at least they put it at the end.

Go Dennis!!! You can fight for me anytime! :)

peace
DR

[JohnKleeb]

14. he fights for us yeah

In fact in many ways he is one of the people, I really dont see Dean's appeal, we all are angry right? yet Kucinich has unique and plans that could help the people in many ways. Like I know a family with many young kids, who could benefit from his pre school thing, even if they are stauch Bushites I think they could benefit, they also are kinda poor too, and the kids of course should go to college, bingo DK helps people like them. DK is speaking for the country, he really is the people's candiate.

[Tinoire]

15. Kucinich #1 in Gainesville Poll (after AFL-CIO) !!

:bounce: :party: :bounce: :party: and now I can :smoke: and go to bed :) I'm so excited! I just can't hide it! I'm about to lose control and I think I like it! :)

Presidential Forum
8/5/2003

<snip>

The Gainesville viewers also held a straw poll. Ohio Congressman Dennis Kucinich led the way with about a third of the vote, followed by Vermont Governor Howard Dean and Massachusetts Senator John Kerry. Tonight's straw poll is believed to be the earliest in our area.

http://www.wcjb.com/news.asp?id=7753

[Desertrose]

16. YAY Tinoire!!!!

:bounce:
:toast:

:loveya:

WAHOOO!!!
I'm excited too...and thanks for the AZ Green Party support tip!!

Am going to bed now myself!!

I knew Dennis would blow 'em away!!!!!

Peace & ZZzzzzzzz

DR

[DrFunkenstein]

18. Don't Get My Hopes Up!

I've been trying to convince myself for months that Kucinich doesn't have a chance. But just imagining him going toe to toe with Bush is enough to make a man giddy! Bush wouldn't know his left from his right!

<>

Oh, wait. I guess Dennis didn't have any part in that one.;-)

[JohnKleeb]

20. Thanks Doc Funk

Kerry wasnt so bad tonight either, Kucinich is better than him on what was talked about tonight, I think that Kerry is really a good senator, I want DK to go all the way but if for some reason the sheep dont see it, I will be for Kerry.

[Tinoire]

21. That would be a sight!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And Dennis knows his stuff! He would cut no mercy to Bush because he knows the numbers like the back of his hand!

Do you remember Bush before the 2000 screw-up telling people that you start out with so many trillions, take a few trillion here for X, a few million here for Y, a few millions here for Z and when you're done, you still have trillions left? Some nonesense like that... I can't remember the exact quote but if someone remembers it, please, pretty please, post it at DU or PM it to me- I would be eternally grateful!

Anyway, can you imagine Dennis, the man who just told us that despite all the hue and cry, there's enough money in Social Security to keep it solvent until 2041, debating that chimp?

WHAT A SHOW!

[revcarol]

22. He certainly wasn't the "peacenik wimp" some have been portraying him as.

LOVED his closing speech. He said he was against PRIVATIZATION of government workers(the big elephant in the living room for labor) and pointed out all the things he won, with labor's help!!

[genius]

23. Kucinich was awesome. Really Presidential

He gave labor exactly the message they were looking for.