Kucinich at UMass today

[Bill McBlueState]

This is essentially a continuation of this thread: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=132&topic_id=395495

I just got back from seeing DK speak at UMass. I got to shake his hand!! I'm never washing my right hand again... ;)

Anyway, he gave a 5-10 minute speech to open up, and then spent the next 45 minutes answering questions. That in itself was amazing -- I imagine not too many candidates for President would have such an open-ended format.

His opening speech was mostly related to the war. He spoke about how we need to stop accepting war as inevitable and work toward a global culture of peace and that, with the standing the US has, we're the country that has to take the lead.

The questions from the audience were about his health care plan, the draft, and some questions about electability. The best part of the whole hour was when he was reflecting on why the other Democrats want to give the insurance companies responsibility for health care, while DK wants a single-payer system. He said, "You know why I'm the only one who wants to take health care out of the hands of the insurance companies?" Then he held out his arms and spun around slowly. A few people got it, then he said "No strings attached!" which resulted in thunderous applause. BTW -- it was a standing-room-only crowd, several hundred in attendance.

On the draft, DK disagreed with Noam Chomsky, who was at UMass last night. Chomsky says they'll never reinstate the draft because that will erode popular support for the Iraq invasion. Kucinich says the Bushites don't give a damn about popular support; they'll reinstate the draft anyway.

Near the end of the hour, a 90-year-old woman in a wheelchair gave a passionate plea for university students to get out and vote. She said, "I'm finished. But you all have the chance to change the future."

Kucinich finished by outlining his strategy to win the nomination and give a foothold to progressive views.

Good stuff all around. Thanks to the UDems and UMass Pride Alliance (and one other group that I forget) for organizing the event.

[revcarol]

1. ALWAYS open to the people's questions,

even if they DISAGREE with him.
--patient
--steady
--well thought out positions that are practical
--realizes no issue is in a vacuum

SO PRESIDENTIAL!!

Thanks for this report!!You're an O8)

[Lydia Leftcoast]

3. Q&A style

I saw an amazing example last Saturday in Minneapolis.

A young woman stood up and started giving an anti-choice sermon, of the "How can you be for peace and still allow the murder of the most helpless form of life" type of thing.

The audience began booing, but Dennis said, "Let her speak."

When she finished, he began trying to seek common ground, saying that he wanted abortion to be rare due to better sex education and access to contraception and support services for women with children, but that we had to allow women to make their own decisions.

It turned out that the questioner was a real fanatic, because she started railing against contraception, too, so Dennis just said, "Thank you, next question."

I've seen him field questions three times now, and he has been incredible each time.

[Bill McBlueState]

7. very similar treatment of the old woman

The woman who said she was ninety and encouraged young people to vote actually rambled on for a while. The chair of the Massachusetts DK campaign moved toward her like he wanted to cut her off and move on, but Dennis gestured sharply at him to back off and let the woman finish.

That kind of behavior shows me that Dennis is clearly in this race to help humanity, and not for reasons of pride or self-glorification.

[LWolf]

10. I've seen him do this, as well.

It's a first for me, anyway, when it comes to a politician. It's a first when it comes to just about any public speaker. The respect, the engagement, the ability to listen, think, respond...

bringing civil discourse back to America.

[no name no slogan]

9. He handled that incredibly well IMHO

That was a very tough question he got, especially knowing his past views on the subject. He did a great job at letting the questioner speak her mind, and treated her with respect with his answer, too.

Even when the questioner walked away, he still said that, although he didn't agree with her, she had the courage to ask her question in front of what could easily be called a hostile crowd.

That, IMHO, is a class act all around!

[redqueen]

2. Thanks so much for this report

I would have gone for a hug. :)

*sigh*

[goodhue]

4. thanks for the report

His Q & A is always amazing in IMHO.

[ThirdWheelLegend]

5. Kucinich has such a knowledge of all the issues...

He can take Q+A and give REAL answers. Just look at how many issues he addresses on his website.

Kucinich is the most Presidential!

GO DK!

Thanks for the report!

TWL

[revcarol]

6. Imagine a White House press conference with him!!

NO WAFFLING
NO LYING
NO CORPORATE PANDERING
NO WEASELING
NO "BUT I MEANT..."

They'd have to send the whole press corps(except for Russell and Helen)off to re-education camp to try to find questions to trap him with...not that they could do it, LOL!!

[DemBones DemBones]

8. Kicking because this report and Mairead's report should both be

read.

Why not elect a real progressive?! Dennis :yourock: